Page 67 of Obsessed

No, don’t com -Mason typed but he hit the back button, deleting the message. Ollie was going to stop by no matter what he said and sure enough, there was a knock on his door half an hour later.

“You didn’t have to come over.” Mason stood back as Ollie strolled in, wearing a fluffy red coat over a corduroy green suit like a walking Christmas billboard.

“Aw Mason, I’m happy to see you too.” Taking off the coat, Ollie folded it over the arm of the couch, smiling. “So, you want to talk to Rain hmmm?”

Although Mason frowned it rolled right off Ollie just like it had with Gran. And with Rain.

“You should probably redirect that energy to fixing whatever happened.” Eyebrow raised, Ollie waved his index finger in a circle.

“I want to.” Those three words had to be ground out as his fight or flight kicked in, hollering that it wasn’t safe to be this honest with Ollie, but Mason stood firm. If he wanted to see Rain again, then he needed to do this.

Nodding wisely, Ollie put his hands behind his back. “Good, because Tommy told me that Rain is heartbroken and I’m here to help you fix it.”

“Why?” Mason’s brows twitched in confusion but his pulse skyrocketed, the rumble inside of him coming back to life. Was Rain heartbroken because he missed Mason? Because he still liked Mason? Or was it because he’d put his trust in a man who had used him as an object, an inspiration, and a tool, and who’d been too cowardly to admit his feelings?

Maybe Rain didn’t want to come back, but Mason needed to take a leap of faith and beg for forgiveness, tell Rain that he did want more, that his existence had been bleak without Rain in it, that having him and Mouse around had opened his soul in unexpected ways, and he’d do anything to have them back.

“Why?Remember that thing I said the day of the fire? That we’re friends?” Ollie gestured between them and then dropped his hand. “Helping you is part of that.”

“Oh.” Mason nodded once, forcing out the words. “Thank you. For being my friend. And for understanding about Finn. And for helping me with Rain. I screwed up and I want to fix things. How do I fix them?”

Blinking, Ollie’s eyes widened. “Wow, you’re definitely in love. I hope I wasn’t this smitten when I met Finn.”

“You were worse. I have the pictures to prove it.” Mason winced as Ollie’s laughter echoed through the apartment.

“Soooo,” Ollie wiped his eyes once he was finished, “I’m just double-checking but are you still using Rain’s photos?”

“Yes.” Gesturing for Ollie to follow, Mason led him into the studio.

“How many secret rooms do you have in this place?” Ollie looked around with eyes like saucers.

Instead of answering, Mason grabbed one of the larger portraits, turning it to face Ollie, who put his hand over his chest and gasped.

“Oh my god, I’ve never seen Rain so happy,” he said softly, stepping closer and taking it in, and the expression on his face told Mason that he had chosen the theme well. After a moment, Ollie refocused, straightening his spine. “And I want him to be this happy again. Get ready for opening night because bestie Li-Li and I will make sure that Rain shows up, so you two can talk.”

But did Rainwantto talk?

“Will that work?” A spark of hope lit inside Mason.

“You know what?” Ollie whispered conspiratorially as if he were certain. “I think it will.”

Mason thought he had budgeted enough time but for his next exhibition he’d double it because he was running on fumes. The days had whipped by far too fast and aside from getting his collection together, he’d also had to attend a lot of meetings and answer a disgusting number of texts. At least he’d been able to step away from the group chat, using every available second he had to make sure Rain’s portraits were perfectly displayed.

After all the years of dreaming and all the months of photography, planning, and anticipation, opening night was finally here, yet Mason couldn’t help but be distracted because a good portion of his mind circled around Rain. Would Ollie follow through and get him to come? If he did, what would Mason say? He’d run through infinite conversations in his head, knowing that he’d only have one chance, and the pressure eclipsed any apprehension he’d had about the show.

His phone buzzed and he checked it, his eyebrows lifting as he answered without hesitation.

“Hello, Ms. Chauhan.”

“Mr. Hart. I know the exhibition is tonight so I won’t take much of your time. I called to wish you luck and remind you that there’s a restraining order in place so you won’t have any familial interference this evening and for the next five years.” Unlike Stanley, Ms. Chauhan couldn’t be more on-point and professional, treating him with extra care because Liam had vouched for him, and he was beyond grateful.

“Thank you again, for everything.” The exhibition was public and would run for a month, so not having to worry about his family showing up had been an incredible boon.

“Honestly, your father did most of the work by antagonizing the sergeant,” she chuckled darkly. “He spent a long night in lockup to clear his head and he’s been slapped with a fineandthe restraining order.”

“Do people violate the order?” Mason couldn’t help but worry about that.

“Sure, all the time, but in your family’s case they were given anextrawarning. They will not trouble you again.” Her voice told him her certainty was at one hundred percent and he believed her.

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