Page 43 of Forever Your Touch

Mason smiled. “Yeah, kid. If you want strawberry, you can have strawberry.”

“Can I, Papa?”

“As long as you mind your uncle.” Kade shot Mason a grateful look. They all did what they could to help Mateo.

“Thenda,TíoMason. I want to go.”

After that, they all gathered up the luggage and headed back to Viktor’s house, where the grandparents spent the rest of the day gushing over the grandkids, and the brothers spent the day worrying about their father.

Mason dropped the kids off after their ice cream run then went back to his frat. He was exhausted. His father looked awful. He locked his door and collapsed on the bed, letting the tears he’d been holding back all day finally flow. He’d been raised that men didn’t cry. His father’s doing, but right now he didn’t feel like a man. He felt like a lost little boy who didn’t know which way to turn.

So he called Jo.

“Hey, Mase!” He sighed at the sound of her voice. “Did your family get in okay?”

“Yeah. Ray get home?”

“He got in a few hours ago. He’s helping his dad put up shelves in the basement right now. You don’t sound so good, Mason.”

“He looks awful.” Mason sat up, wiping his eyes. “He’s lost so much weight, and when he coughs, it sounds like he’s hacking up a lung. I don’t know if he’s going to come back from this.”

“Don’t give up on him.” Jo’s soothing voice helped to calm him more than anything else had today. “Have a little faith.”

“That’s what Mama said. Told me to have faith and trust in the Lord.” He laughed. “That is not comforting right now. So many good people die from cancer, JoJo. I’m not sure God has anything to do with it.”

The sigh that came across the phone line was heavy. “I know you don’t want to hear it right now, but your mom’s right. Prayer and faith aren’t always about a good outcome. It’s about knowing you’re not alone while you face the worst moment of your life. God may not be able to work a miracle and save your father, but He will be there to hold you and give you comfort. Trust in that.”

Mason shook his head. His mother would love this girl. He wasn’t in a very Christian mood at the moment, though. He and God wouldn’t be on good terms for a while if his papa died. Wasn’t going to say that to either Jo or his mother. They’d lecture him.

“Did you get the rest of your space set up?” He changed the subject, and Jo let it drop. The girl knew him too well.

“Yeah. I was gonna do some recording tonight. Ray said he was tired and was going to bed after he finished up in the basement.”

“Want some company?” The thought of staring at the walls all night alone with his thoughts was not something he really wanted to do.

“Sure. You can sleep on the couch tonight too, if you want.”

“I’d like that,moye dragotsennyy.”

He said his goodbyes, changed his clothes, grabbed a pair of pajama bottoms and a white t-shirt, and then drove over to Jo’s. He could give a rat’s ass if Ray liked it or not. He didn’t want to be alone.

Ray met him at the door. “Hey, man. Jo told me about your dad. I’m sorry.”

“Thanks.” Mason was surprised at the sincerity. He didn’t think the guy had it in him.

“I don’t know what I’d do if my dad got sick. Let me know if I can do anything to help.”

“Letting me come over and sleep on your couch is help enough. My head’s all messed up right now, and I don’t want to have time to think.”

“I get it. You want a beer?”

“Sure, thanks.” Mason regarded him, frowning. This was a side to Ray he had never seen before. This had to be the side Jo fell in love with, and he had to admit, this version of Ray was someone he could like. Maybe even be friends with.

Ray came back in the living room and sat down after handing Mason the beer. “I wanted to say thanks too.”

“For what?” Mason took a seat on the couch as well.

“For looking out for Jo, for putting a security system in to keep her safe. She needs more friends, and I get that you’re her friend. I was an ass to you. I was afraid you were trying to move in on her or were going to judge me like the rest of her family does. She told me what you said, that you weren’t her brother and you’d judge me based on your own experiences. Not that those have been too good, but I’m hoping we can be friends. Jo wants us to get along, and all I want is for her to be happy.”

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