From Deities (15 page)

My eyes slowly
fluttered as I tried to recall the events of last night. After I had put the pieces together, the first thing that popped in my mind was Mason. I hadn’t returned his texts for who knew how long. He must be worried about me. Luckily, he knew where I was.

Sliding off my bed wasn’t too bad, but when I planted my feet on the ground, it reminded me how much my body had ached last night. Though it wasn’t as bad, it was still painful. My stiffened muscles made it difficult to move, but I was determined to get to the family room. My cell phone was there and I needed to call Mason.

Walking out of my room like an old lady, I heard voices in the kitchen. As I approached closer with each step, his sweet voice sang in my ear. Mom and Mason were having a nice conversation, both laughing at whatever they were talking about. That produced a smile on my face.

Mason couldn’t see me yet—I was still in the hallway—but I didn’t have to call out his name. He could see me walking toward him now. He gave me the hottest grin that sparked all sorts of tingles in me.

Sky was home
with her mom. That was what my text read, and the tracker located her at home. Not that I didn’t believe her, but when I didn’t get a return text from her, I started to get anxious. It was unlike her not to reply. She knew how much I worried about her safety. When I waited as long as I could, I went to her mom’s place.

There was a Mercedes Benz parked on the driveway. I knew it didn’t belong to her mom. Recalling Sky mentioning Steven coming over for dinner, I assumed this car was his. Waiting in the car and having nothing to do, I observed the one-story structure. From the outside it appeared to be a decent size. There were rose bushes along the entrance to the door, and there were short bushes near a window.

Not wanting to disturb them, I waited and texted Sky again. I waited as long as my nerves could handle. My fingers were itching to text again and my body was ready to bolt inside when I finally got a text.

This is Skylar’s mom. Sky isn’t feeling well. I wanted you to know.

After the text I felt better, but I still worried. I headed home and planned to come back in the late morning.

Night turned to day in the blink of an eye. Not getting much sleep, I drove back to Sky’s. I wasn’t sure what I was about to do was the right thing, but when I still didn’t get a text from her, I knew it was bad. I had to see her. I had to know Sky was okay.

When I rang the doorbell, I was suddenly aware that I was going to meet Sky’s mom for the first time. Nervousness shot though me as I waited. Then it dawned on me that I should have brought flowers or something. Stupid idiot! I wasn’t thinking straight.

The door opened. “Yes, can I help you?” Then, before I could ask, she blinked her eyes to adjust to the sunlight and spoke again. “You must be Mason. I recognize your handsome face. I’m Gina, Skylar’s mom. It’s nice to finally meet you.” She shook my hand and stepped aside. “Come in.”

Sky talked about me to her mom
rang in my head, and I couldn’t help the giddy feeling that trickled in my stomach. The first thing I noticed was the dark hardwood floor. The furniture was simple, yet nice. The kitchen area was open to the family room, which gave more of a spacious look. Glancing around, I spotted several picture frames and plants.

Gina looked young for her age. I could tell she took care of her body, too. I didn’t see much of Sky resembling her dad, but after meeting her mom, I knew where Sky got her beauty from…not that her dad was bad looking. They were even the same height. “I got your text,” I said, as I followed behind her. “Thank you for letting me know she was sick. I was worried.”

Gina halted and turned to me. “I thought that was so sweet of you. I’m afraid she’s still sick. I think she caught the flu. She’s sleeping right now. Why don’t we head to the kitchen? Have a seat at the table and I’ll make you some tea.”

I didn’t refuse, though I didn’t feel like having any. Wanting to stick around, hoping Sky would wake up soon, I agreed. I just wanted to be near her.

“Sky has told me many things about you. I feel like I already know you,” Gina said, pouring hot water into a mug, then dunking some kind of tea bag inside. “Here you go.” She set it in front of me.

Cupping the mug into the palm of my hands, I took in the warmth. Being so close to Sky and not be able to see or touch her was torture. I thought about using my super speed to take a look at her, then come back. I could’ve done it while she was making my tea. I guessed I could also use the excuse of needing to use the restroom. Being patient was not on the list of what I did best. Knowing I needed to be, I waited like a good human boyfriend as I continued the conversation and buttered up to Gina.

“I hope they were all good things.” I grinned and took a sip.

Gina sat across from me. “How long have you been dating again?”

Now I was stuck. Here comes the river of questions. I didn’t mind answering them, I just didn’t know what Sky had told her mom, and didn’t want our answers conflicting.

“Not that long. We started dating during the summer.”

Gina nodded her head. That was a good sign. “That’s right, Sky told me. She also told me your brother is dating Kayla.”

“My half-brother,” I said, not really knowing why I had to throw that in.

Gina nodded again with a smile and took a sip. “I’m glad Skylar has someone else looking after her besides me. She lost her dad at a young age. I’m sure she’s told you about him.”

“Yes, she did.” It was my turn to nod.

“Skylar also told me about the restaurants you own and that—” Gina started to say, but stopped. A sound distracted her, and I heard it, too. My body tilted sideways to my left and I saw a figure slowly approaching. Her hand was on the wall for support. It was my Sky.

My heart melted from the mere sight of her, and I probably had the dorkiest grin on my face. I hoped Gina wasn’t looking at me. I also wanted to say that she was welcome to come to my restaurant anytime and that dinner would be on me, but that thought vanished when Sky approached.

Without a word to Gina, I ran to Sky and wrapped her firmly in my arms.

“Mason.” Her tone was weak, but it was the sweetest sound to me. Seeing her well, though feeble, filled my heart with joy.

“I’m here, Echo. I’m right here.” Looking into her dull, sleepy eyes, I stroked her hair and took her presence in.

“Sky, you’re up.” Gina’s hand reached out to Sky, and then lowered, apparently confused about what she should do since I was already holding her.

“Let me take you to the sofa,” I said, guiding her there. Once I lay Sky in a comfortable position, her mom came back with a blanket and covered her.

“I’m feeling much better. I’m sure it was only the flu,” Sky said.

Gina sat on the other sofa. “I’m just glad Steven was here. He gave you a shot. I’m sure that helped.”

“I have to thank him when I see him.”

“Well….” Gina stood up. “I’ll leave you two alone. I’ll be in my bedroom if you need me.” With that, she left.

I planted myself on the edge of the sofa and caressed Sky’s cheeks as I spoke. “I was so worried about you, Echo. I knew you were fine when your mom texted me back to tell me you were sick, but I had to come see you.”

“My mom texted you?” Her tone went up a notch.

“She texted me back from your phone. It was probably because I was texting and calling every minute when you weren’t answering. I’m glad she did, or I would have broken down the door.”

Sky gave me a light giggle. “I’m glad you’re here.” She took my hand in hers and kissed the back of it, but I jerked back when I felt a jolt on the very same spot she’d kissed. Both our eyes grew wide.

“I’m sorry,” she said quickly, looking as shocked as I was. Regardless, I couldn’t help the short laugh that escaped me. Sky gave me a wicked hot smile and her tone was seductive. “I can’t help myself around you. Want to see how powerful my sparks can get? Kiss me.”

I had no time to reply. Sky pulled my lips to hers with the speed I had forgotten she had. At first it was a normal, steamy kiss. As always, it intensified and I wanted more, but knowing her mom was just a bedroom away, I tried to slow down.

Sky didn’t slow down. It fact, her kiss was driving me crazy. I wanted her right then and there, not a second later. She showed me what she meant by how powerful she could get. One by one, the light bulbs started popping like small fireworks. Sparks sizzled, lighting up the room. By then we had stopped kissing, but it was too late.

Gina came running. “What happened?”

How do you explain five light bulbs exploding like that?

Sky and I looked at each other, then we both turned to Gina and shrugged our shoulders.

“I think the bulbs are too old.” It was the lamest excuse I had, but she bought it.

“Are you both all right?”

“We’re fine. If you have extra light bulbs, I’ll be happy to help you change them,” I offered.

“Oh…thanks. I’ll go get them.” Gina was too busy examining the damage; she didn’t make eye contact when she spoke. 

When she went to the garage, I turned my attention to Sky.

“I didn’t know that would happen,” she confessed. “I was just flirting. I didn’t know that would happen.” Sky looked concerned.

“It’s all right, Sky. I’ve done that before,” I reassured her, trying to comfort her. I thought it worked.

For the next
couple of days, Mom went back to work while Mason took care of me. We watched television, played some card games, and even took naps. I also showed him my photo albums from my childhood. There were a couple of pages with my dad’s photos, but Mason didn’t say a word about them.

“My mom doesn’t know I have these,” I said. “As you can see from the pictures that are hung, none of them have my dad in them. My mom threw all of them away. It broke her. She didn’t want any memories of him, even on the walls.”

Mason shifted his weight on the bed and faced me. One leg was tucked under the other and one arm rested on the comforter. “I haven’t asked you this question because I wanted you to get over the shock, but how do you feel about your dad now?”

I looked to the side to gather my thoughts. This question was complicated because I had no answer. “I don’t know. I’m confused. I’m happy he’s alive, but….” I paused. I tried to find the appropriate words without sounding like a spoiled brat, without telling him I was upset that my dad paid more attention to other kids than to me. “He said he was protecting me from afar. Do I believe that’s true? I don’t know. He could have reached out to me, I guess. I feel like he didn’t love me all these years.” Then I felt anger rise in me. “He can’t just walk into my life after ten years and expect things to be the way they were.”

“I know. It’s okay to be angry and hurt. Just don’t let that cloud your judgment.” Mason rubbed his hand on my shoulder to calm me down, then changed the subject. He must have sensed my frustration. “What do you think your mom would do if she found out you have those photos of him?”

“She would have gone crazy if she knew back then, but I think she would be fine with it now. I was forbidden to speak about my dad when I was young. About a month ago when I mentioned him, she still didn’t want to talk about it, but at least her tone was normal. I think it’s because she has someone to love, and who loves her back.”

Mason took my hand in his. “Love can do that to you. Make you forget the pain and anger. It has the power to heal, to mend, to fix what was once broken, but first, you must accept it. I know this because of you, Sky. You broke down my wall with your love, and my love for you that I couldn’t deny any longer.”

His touch, his words, ignited warmth through my heart and spread to the rest of my body. I hadn’t realized how cold I was. I also didn’t realize how much I needed to hear that. “And for that,” Mason continued, sweeping my cheeks with his thumbs, “I thank you.”

Gazing into his loving eyes, I rewarded him with the biggest smile I could muster. And I was sure my eyes twinkled just like his.

“Are you hungry?” Mason asked, snapping me out of my daze. “Since you’re feeling better, guess who I invited for lunch?” Mason closed my album and placed it down.

“Who?” I asked, playfully narrowing my eyes at him while wondering what he had done.

Mason took out his cell, texted, and looked up at me. That expression told me he was up to something. Giving me a sideways glance, he twitched his brows playfully. How that expression could put tingles in every depth of me was beyond me.