An arm around Mason’s shoulders shocked him from his reverie over David’s art, and he only barely caught what David was actually saying. “Well, I’m sure we’ll be very happy here together.”
The air sucked out of the room as Jake stepped back, and Robinson’s shoulders raised up.
Mason nodded. Everyone else was panicked…but what did he care? He pecked David on the cheek. “I haven’t agreed to move in yet. But I’ll sure like the view.”
The room unfroze and, after a couple seconds, Robinson grabbed David to show him around the bathroom. That was their cue to leave and head up to the rooftop deck. It was hard to beat a view of the ocean at sunset for a final shot, plus they’dgathered up the other residents of the building to do a big reveal. Eliza said it would drive home the altruism of the show, since they’d done something for the whole community there, not just David.
Once they were in the stairwell—they couldn’t risk getting stuck waiting for the elevator—Jake started talking. “You good? Seemed like he kind of sprang that on you without warning.”
“He did.” Mason could understand the concern. “I know that I’m not renowned for my superior ability to go with the flow, but it’s hard to get mad about the truth.” It would have been better in a lot of ways if David had asked, but it all worked out. “Part of what drew me to him is that he’s just…always in the moment. Maybe that means he doesn’t always think things through or make a detailed plan, but as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone…”
Jake pulled him into another side hug…while they were walking…which made both of them stumble. Mason caught himself on the railing, but Jake tumbled and onlyjustmanaged to avoid knocking his teeth out on the edge of one of the risers.
Mason squatted down to check on him. “You good?”
“Yep.” He grinned as he rolled over, then grabbed onto Mason’s hand to allow himself to be pulled up. “I’ll keep my affection a little tamer next time.” He brushed himself off, although Mason didn’t see any dust, and looked Mason straight in the eye. “I think you can put some good rails up for him. I’m just really glad to see you happy. I feel like you…well, I just am glad.”
Mason’s instinct was to balk at that, but instead, he nodded as they continued on up the stairs. “I was happier once we all got back together. But yeah. I’m even happier with David.” He reached over and pinched Jake’s cheek. “Doesn’t mean you’re not my special boy too. We just have a different kind of love.”
“I mean, obviously.” Jake propped open the door to the roof. “You’ve never sucked my dick.”
Mason shrugged. “That you remember.”
Chapter thirty-eight
David
Davidneverexpectedtobe so excited for the rooftop, but after everything he’d seen in the condo proper, he was riding high. His place had neverreallycome together. Not until Mason walked in that damn door and took charge of the job. Now, as Robinson led him upstairs, David just wanted to see the end result.I bet this is what Mason was feeling like, getting to see the sketchbook all done and dusted.
He could find out when this was all done, because he felt the breeze on his face and heard a smattering of voices from up above. He didn’t let himself run up any faster, no matter how much he wanted to. It wasn’t that long anyway.
Robinson stopped just before they could actually see out the door and smiled at David. “You ready? We’ll all get out of your hair after this.”
“Well I hope not. Pretty sure you’re all a package deal with Mason, and I don’t plan on letting him go any time soon.”
Robinson’s smile softened, turning more natural. “I don’t think he has any intention of going anywhere. Surprised you still want us around after everything.”
It hardly seemed like the right time for this, but David leaned back against the railing, shutting out the sounds from upstairs. “I appreciated the kick in the ass even if Mason didn’t. Not like I can get mad at you guys for assuming I might be…fickle.”
Robinson’s lips curled in for a moment. “We weren’t trying to be mean about it.”
“And you weren’t. I know that I got lucky with mason, and if that means I have to be a little more cognizant of my own shortcomings, that’s hardly a bad thing.” David clapped Robinson on both shoulders. “I’m happy to have you over for a longer talk, but I think there’s a camera crew waiting and we only have so much more daylight left.” He hesitated a moment, then turned the shoulder grab into a hug.
Robinson squeezed him back. Not super hard, but tight enough to make it clear this was okay. And intentional. “All right. Let’s go see what Ozzy’s been cooking up here. I haven’t even seen it.”
They released the hug and Robinson headed up the stairs first. David was pretty certain that wouldn’t be the last heart-to-heart he needed to have with the Pine Point guys. But hell, how many folks got to hang out with their teenage parasocial faves?
The light was red and dim, which made it a much easier to transition out of the stairwell. It wasn’t the whole building up there, thank God, maybe two dozen, plus the camera crew and the actual Pine Point folks.
And then David stopped focusing on the people at all. He took in the pergolas, strung with lights. The planters festooned with bright flowers and deep green leaves. Fire pits crackling merrily.And Ozzy and Mason standing front and center to show him around.
Mason took his hand, and…well, David was pretty sure he did a decent job of acting, but he wasn’t really listening to the explanation. Not only was this not his to manage—the building would take care of the plants and everything—but he was holding Mason’s hand. That was worth paying attention to, there in the sunset, overlooking the bay.
The cameras and the people and the rooftop garden melted away, and as soon as he picked up on a lull, he pulled in closer to Mason. He made eye contact and, silently, asked the question.
Mason’s answer came as a kiss. He leaned in, his arms wrapping around David and pulling him in.
Then the jeers and hoots and hollers finally broke through and David was back in the real world. He looked around. Most of the fuss was coming from the Pine Point crew, but there were at least some of his neighbors either celebrating or just getting caught up in the moment.
