That’s when he saw it wasn’t just Aras and Robinson. It wasn’t the entire crew, since Jake wasn’t in sight, but he was the only one, so Mason had every reason to believe that he would show up sooner rather than later. But Bunny, Evander, and Ozzy came in as well.
Aras was apparently feeling very sociable, since he pushed in and took over explaining. “Sorry we didn’t call, but I figured you wouldn’t kick us out on the street if we came with food and drinks.” He turned around, walking backwards. “And if you do, I’ll just make a scene.”
“Aras. Doll.” Bunny stepped up, her voice quiet. “You might want to shut the hell up and look around for half a second.”
His entirely too normal frown of derision returned. “I’m trying to have a good time and relax for a second. Thought you’d appreciate my charming demeanor.”
Mason’s eyebrows raised when he saw David standing up…then he decided to let it play out. Besides, Robinson walked out of the bathroom before he could get a word out anyway.
Then David piped up. “I can’t speak for anyone else, Aras, but I enjoyed your charming personality.”
Aras actuallyjumpedin place and slapped a hand down on the stack of pizza boxes to keep them from tumbling over. “Jesus fuck, where did you come from?”
“My house. Same as you.” David crossed his arms over his chest and flopped back down onto the bed.
Aras looked at him, blinked, set the pizzas down, then turned to Mason. “Okay? I don’t like feeling like a fucking moron.”
“Well, like Bunny said, you should pay more attention.” Mason waved everyone inside, and just as he was getting ready to swing the door shut, Jake popped up, carrying a large, pale blue box that looked suspiciously like it had a cake inside. The right size anyway.
When Jake got in and Mason finally closed the door, Jake almost tripped when his gaze landed on David. “Hey. Wow, okay. Didn’t know the invite was quite so wide.”
“It wasn’t.” Ozzy walked straight through all of them and sat down on top of the AC unit under the window. It was designed to look a little bit nicer, so it was all hidden under a faux-stone bench, which made it a great place for extra seating. “David justhappenedto be here.” He grinned at Mason and shook his head. “I knew you were fucking bubbly, you asshole.”
“Love you too, Ozzy.” Mason figured that was enough letting them adjust. He walked over and sat next to David. “Go ahead and get on with your commentary.”
David slung his arm around Mason and pulled him in close. “I look forward to the valuable critique you can provide.”
“No critique from my quarter.” Ozzy waved his hand lackadaisically toward the pizza. “You got something spicy, right? Pizza me before it gets cold.”
“Get your ass up and pizza yourself.” Aras spread the boxes out and opened all of them, then grabbed a piece of sausage and mushroom for himself. “Well, since we’re here, grill us for information.” Aras rolled over the office chair and sat in front of David. “We basically know every embarrassing thing your new boy toy has ever done.”
Mason popped up, grabbed Aras’s chair, and wheeled him over to the corner. “Time out untilyoulearn to keep your mouth shut.”
But Mason couldn’t deny a bit of a spark of warmth. It hadn’t been how heintendedto break this to everyone, but the moment presented itself, and everyone took it well.
So far so good.
Chapter twenty-nine
David
“Wait,youhadleopard-spottedhair?” David wasn’t quite three sheets to the wind, but he was feeling pretty happy and buzzy. The vibes in their makeshift room party were…impeccable, honestly. Maybe it was because they all had the Pine Point connection, maybe it was the liquor, or maybe it was just because they worked well together. It felt natural.
Mason also seemed much more comfortable. His cheeks were red from the booze this time, not from embarrassment or nerves. He buried his face in his hands when David brought up the hair, half-shouting into his hands so he could still be heard. “I will show you the pictures if I can find them, but I don’t want to hear any comments. It looked amazing for about three days until my hair started to grow out even a little bit.” He finally looked at David, grinning, and held up his thumb and forefinger practically touching. “Even that much growth and it suddenlylooked like a mistake had been made, but those three days were glorious.”
“I just…doesn’t seem like something you would do. Where does it fit in your spreadsheets?”
To his surprise, Mason actually flipped him off, and David laughed way harder than he might have if he was still sober.
Robinson sighed and spoke while gesturing with his pizza crust. “Mason has hidden depths. And they mostly come out when he’s a little drunk.”
“That’s not true.” Mason rolled his eyes. “Okay, it’s true that I get a little looser when I get drunk, but that’s not theonlytime.” He took a heavy swig from his cup before continuing. “Besides, Evander was the one who talked me into that hair in the first place. That was those two months that he decided he was destined to become a hairdresser.”
“I did afantasticjob with your hair. You just said it was glorious for three days.” Evander was sprawled against Ozzy in the armchair, drunker than hell and with his shirt mostly unbuttoned. “I do a fantastic job at everything.” He gestured vaguely in the direction of the bed. “Ask your new Mr. Sexy…Sex Boy. He thinks I did a fantastic job on his house because I’mamazing.”
“I guess I need to get new business cards. Mr. Sexy Sex Boy.”
“I’d give you aglowingrecommendation.” Mason whispered it to him…or at least seemed to be trying to whisper.
