Page 54 of Obsessed

Gage mimicked her stance, mocking her. “Listen, bitch-”

Audible gasps were heard as Marci, faster than light, got in Gage’s face, which was impossible since she was barely five foot two.

“That’s it, Tinydick, time to go.” Her voice gave Mason chills and suddenly they were both gone. Finn and Dylan came to first, rushing out the front doors after them, probably more for Gage’s protection than Marci’s.

Rain’s mother swung her head back and forth between Rain and where Gage had gone as if she were watching a tennis match. Theydidlook alike; however, her beauty was vacant and twisted, making her ugly to Mason. While Rain registered as an elfin prince, she took the spot as evil crone, wizened in both body and spirit.

“B-Babeee…” she stuttered and Rain clicked his tongue.

“Get out. Leave me alone,” he replied in a monotone, his eyes dark with storms that howled through Mason’s mind.

“B-But-”

“Did you think this would work?” Rain wasn’t yelling but he didn’t need to; each word was weighted like a dagger. “Did you think humiliating me like this would make me come back to you? You’re selfish and you never think about my safety or what you’re doing to my life. These people I work with? They care more about me than you do! So, guess what? I’m not coming back. I’mnevercoming back.”

Silent, she seemed to be processing, but as Mason’s body began to break free, he saw why Rain feared her. From one heartbeat to the next she went feral, diving at Rain, but the older woman next to him was faster and stronger, grabbing both of her wrists.

“Nu-uh, no more of that or I’m gonna have a little too much fun dishing it back to you,” she stated, easily holding onto Rain’s mother, who began to scream. Marci zipped back into the foyer again, removing her in under three seconds, and Mason took in a slow breath as his lungs began to open up.

He’d just gotten a significant amount of insight about Rain’s family; unfortunately, so had everyone else, and Mason cursed at himself. He should’ve done something, said something, even walked up to Rain and stood next to him, but he’d frozen up like a useless statue and he’d barely come back to life. Breathing in deeply once more, he tried to calm down and stop shivering, turning his attention back to Rain.

But Rain wasn’t there, he’d slipped away while his mother was being dragged out.

“Where did Rain go?” The yellow-haired chef echoed, looking around.

“I’ll find him.” Mason needed to get away from the foyer, from all the prying eyes and the events of the last few minutes, which was definitely why Rain had left, and Mason knew exactly where he’d gone.

“What about the bride and groom?” Marci asked.

“They’re with Owen,” Liam supplied, his hazel eyes still wide.

“I can stall them, take some pictures,” Ollie butted in, glancing at the door as Finn and Marci returned. Holding out his hand, Ollie waited until Mason realized that he needed the camera.

Slowly taking it off, he handed it to Ollie, who nodded encouragingly. “Go find Rain.”

Still muddled and in shock, Mason staggered downstairs, heading straight to the storage room. Flicking on the light, he made his way to the back, his heart sinking as he circled the couch and found Rain in the corner, curled up into a tight shaking ball.

“Rain.” Mason pitched his voice as softly as he could. It didn’t seem to have any effect and Mason stood there for a moment, wondering what to do when Rain raised his head a few inches, peering at him with dark, teary eyes.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Even muffled, it was easy to hear the disappointment and anger in his voice.

“I…want to explain.” Despite the agony of the last five minutes, Mason needed to be a little vulnerable. “I’m sorry but…but I froze up. Gage-”

“What the fuck was that with Gage?” Rain uncurled a bit, but his cheeks were streaked with tears, his stormy gaze full of lightning.

“He was the school bully I told you about.” And seeing him had pried loose a few memories that should’ve stayed lost.

“You went to high school with Gage?” Rain looked away, clearly doing the math in his head.

“We’re four years apart. He got left back twice.” His voice hit the same monotone as Rain’s had earlier. “I knew he got out of prison but I had no idea he was with your mother.”

Taking in a stuttering breath, Rain tried to focus, sitting up a bit more. “Gage was in prison?”

“For multiple DUIs.” Mason wasn’t surprised that Rain didn’t know.

“So, he’s been a jerk his entire life.” Rain wiped his eyes but more tears leaked through. “It doesn’t matter though because my mom and him? They won. I can’t work here anymore. Not after that.” Lowering his head, he began to cry in earnest, flooding Mason with the urge to comfort, to hold Rain and assure him that Mason wanted to be by his side, help him face his demons, and that there was nothing to be embarrassed about - Rain could keep his job. The Pointe was staffed with decent people who wouldn’t hold this against Rain in any way; besides, with the way gossip flew at wedding halls this would be old news in a week.

Taking a chance, Mason gingerly sat next to Rain on the couch but Rain immediately jumped up, putting space between them.

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