Chapter Forty-Eight
Tense silence filled the kitchen and Kelley clenched his jaw. After how Jesse had reacted he knew his friends wouldn't take the news well either. It was on him though. His girlfriend had died and he'd made a deal for his mother and sister. He tried to tell himself that he was keeping quiet because it had nothing to do with them, but in all honesty, he knew he didn't want to see the disappointment in their eyes.
“In other news, I got my acceptance letter to St. John’s University.”
A smile formed on Kelley’s lips. “Congrats, Mason. Football scholarship?”
Mason nodded his head and grinned. “Full ride. I’ll live on campus in the football house.”
“Didn’t you both apply at the same time?” Kelley looked at Lee who was still staring at him.
“I haven’t opened my letter yet.”
Mason frowned. “Why the hell not? If I got in you’ll definitely be in.”
“What about you, Kelley? You did apply right?” Lee’s gaze was unnerving and he knew that in time he’d spill the beans about everything. Lee’s look told him he hadn’t believed a word Kelley had said. It was easier to fool Mason than Lee.
“I got an academic scholarship.”
Mason and Lee both stared at him. “Academic scholarship?” Their voices rang out simultaneously and disbelief was etched in their eyes.
“I do study contrary to belief.”
Lee smiled quickly and then his mouth was set into a hard line once again. “We’ll be in the football house, are you going to live on campus too?”
“I doubt it. I’ll probably get an apartment close by.”
Mason's palms slapped the surface of the table. “Party house!”
Carey smacked Mason behind his head and looked sternly at the three of them. “Party house, huh? There will be no wild parties! You’re going to college to better yourselves.”
“Yes, Mom.” They all said it with a smile on their faces and Carey smiled back at them knowing full well that there would be plenty of parties. She didn't want to think of what else would be plenty of since they'd be on their own.
“Now that the three of you are all grown up and moving so far away for the next few years, I also have some news to share.” There was a new twinkle in Carey's eyes and she seemed lighter somehow.
Mason’s eyes narrowed as he looked at his mother. “What news?”
Kelley’s eyes caught the glint on her finger and he stood up and grabbed her hand. “You deserve happiness, Carey, and if he doesn’t treat you right, I’ll hunt him down.”
Mason's eyes darted towards Kelley's and then back to Carey. “What happiness? Who?”
Lee chuckled then and Mason looked utterly confused. “John asked me to marry him and I said yes.”
“You’re getting remarried?”
Kelley stepped back and watched Mason’s face. John was a good match for Carey. He’d treat her right, the way she deserved to be treated but Mason looked like his whole world had just come crashing down on him. Disbelief and hurt flickered in his eyes and Kelley knew the exact moment when Mason closed himself off.
“Mason …”
“I have to go.”
Mason stood up abruptly from the kitchen table and Carey sighed. Kelley took her hand and smiled at her as Lee stood up as well and gave her a brief hug. “He’s just shocked … he’ll come around.”
Mason drove off in his truck and headed into the downtown area. He had no destination in mind but he wasn’t surprised when he found himself in front of Jesse’s dojo. The door was propped open and he knew that Jesse had most probably just finished his first class for the day.
Mason looked up at the knock on his window and opened his door as Jesse stood looking at him. He locked his truck and shoved his hands deep into his pockets. “What’s wrong, Mason?”
“You look like shit, Jesse, should I be asking you what’s wrong?”
“I’m fine … what’s going on?”
“My mom just got engaged.”
Jesse crossed his arms over his chest. “I see.”
“Do you? Do you really see the problem here?”
Jesse motioned for Mason to follow him inside the dojo. Jesse closed the door behind Mason and swung the open sign to close. He walked to his small office and sat down on a chair behind the equally small desk as Mason took the only other chair.
“What’s the problem with Carey getting engaged? Is the guy an asshole?”
“No, he’s not an asshole, that’s the problem.”
Jesse frowned not seeing the problem. “How is that a problem? Just say it straight out, Mason.”
“He’s going to make her happy and then she’ll have another kid with him and she’ll forget my dad and then me when she’s got a new one. She’s going to replace me.”
Jesse started to laugh but the glare from Mason had the laugh die in his throat. “She’s never going to replace you, Mason. You are her whole life. She deserves to be happy and if this guy is the one to do it then embrace him. He won’t replace your father either and if he’s a good man, he’ll know it too.”
“When you took me out to the garden that morning after the funeral, I always kind of hoped that you would marry her.” Mason was looking down now.
“Your mom’s a wonderful woman, Mason, but she’s also nine years older than me. I’m not the kind to settle down, too many bad vibes in my head.”
Mason looked at Jesse then, really looked at him. His eyes were tired and his shoulders seemed to sag. He looked lonely and sad. Mason’s heart hurt from just looking at him. How had he never noticed all the pain in Jesse’s eyes before?
“There’s someone out there for you.”
Jesse smiled at Mason’s words. There was nobody out there for him, he was damaged goods. His head was wild and loud and his heart closed off. He had no right to be in someone’s life while he had all that baggage with him.
