Page 104 of Surviving Love

“I’d do it if you did,” Jack said softly.

Mom watched us with a funny expression. I got the feeling she liked Jack but didn’twantto like him. If he was wonderful, that didn’t fit with her theory that all people were horrible and I should never be in a relationship.

“You’re not going to try and drag Mason off to go live in Colorado, are you?” Mom appeared to brace herself.

Jack shook his head. “No. Mason wouldn’t want to leave you, and I wouldn’t ask him to.”

Some tension left my mother’s face, although she still looked a little unsure. “Okay.”

Jack smiled. “I get why you don’t trust me, Mrs. Brenton. You don’t know me. But I can assure you, I’ve never felt about anyone the way I do your son. I’d do anything for him.”

Mom swallowed hard. “I kind of got that impression when you saved him from the snake.”

I shivered. “Oh, thesnake.”

Jack rubbed my shoulder, laughing. “You’re safe. I don’t think there are any pit vipers in Southern California.”

Mom gave her first real smile as she watched us. I knew it was hard for her to trust, and it would take time for her to really believe Jack was everything he said he was. I still worried from time to time, mostly because I didn’t understand what Jack saw in me. But I couldn’t picture life without him, so I really had no option but to continue to love him.

It was after 9:00 p.m. by the time we left Mom’s house. She’d definitely warmed up to Jack in the later part of the evening. As we left, I was glad he didn’t try to hug her goodbye or force things. She’d come around faster if he let her get there slowly and in her own way.

We’d driven together in my car, and Jack was spending the night with me. Sometimes I wondered why he’d even bought a house, since he was always at my place. Which suited me just fine. I’d almost asked him to move in with me when he first got here, but then I’d decided maybe he wanted his own space. Away from me. Did Jack need space from me? Was that why he’d never pushed for us to live together?

The thing about me, Mason, is when I want something, I go after it.

As we walked into the house, I headed to the bedroom. I was tired after our afternoon with Mom and a little depressed at the thought that Jack preferred living apart. He truly was a man who pushed for what he wanted, so why then had he never suggested we live together? Why was this suddenly a thing I was worried about? Was it meeting with Mom that had me twisted up and looking for cracks in our relationship?

Jack joined me, holding a bottle of water. “You okay?” he asked, studying me.

“I’m good.” I unbuttoned my shirt, aware of his gaze. “I think Mom actually liked you.”

“She was great. I pictured her colder than she was. She’s protective of you but not cold.”

“No. She’s not cold. She’s wary.” I tossed my shirt onto the end of the bed. “But then again, sometimes it’s good to be wary, right?”

He didn’t respond; he simply continued to watch me.

I stripped down to my briefs and pulled back the covers. “I’m beat. I think I’m going to hit the hay early.”

Jack frowned. “Do you feel okay?”

“Yes.” I pulled the covers up and closed my eyes. “Night.”

He gave a gruff laugh. “Mason, what’s going on?”

“Nothing. I just told you, I’m tired.”

“Okay, but since when do you go to bed without barely looking at me.”

I opened my eyes and glanced at him. “There, I’m looking at you. Night.”

He set the water bottle down and approached the bed. “Should I go to my place? Would you rather be alone?”

“Go to your place if you’d prefer. I don’t care.”

He scowled. “You don’tcare?”

“I’m not forcing you to be here.”