It's still in the middle of the night when Shay brings us back to Graham's. I'm safely tucked in Mason's arms, while Shay wades about, jumping up, waiting to receive his usual greeting. I feel a tinge of sadness when I can't do that. I love Shay. For some reason, he brings a homely comfort when he is around. And I definitely could use some of that.
Taking mercy on the poor creature, Mason lowers himself on his heels and allows Shay to greet me instead. Shay doesn't shy away from showering me with lots of licks, and those cute little whines he makes when he gets excited.
" Sorry little guy, Lily is not well," He says softly, and pets Shay with his free hand. Although it feels a bit forced as if he has never touched Shay that way. Probably he hasn't. But what do I know?
Once Shay has settled down, Graham appears through his bedroom door, wearing his customary skimpy robe, in his birth suit, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
Mason sighs, exasperated," How many times do I have to tell you to put some clothes on," Graham startles looking at us like a cornered wild animal.
" What the fuck did you do?" He crosses the room in a few quick strides, glowering at Mason.
" Nothing," Mason exhales, anguished," I might've pushed her too far...," He trails off looking at Graham with furrowed brows," Her heart stopped for a few minutes," He admits, reluctantly. I wish I could pitch in, but thankfully I can't speak. Somehow, I think I'd make matters worse. If that's even possible.
" You've gotta be joking," Graham laughs but is humourless, " I'm starting to think that she made the right decision when she stayed away. Because she would have been dead for certain by now in your hands," I've never seen Graham angry before, but Mason is unfazed. I suppose this is a common occurrence between them.
" Don't say that. You know that is not the truth," Graham scoffs and reaches for me, Mason takes a step back making Graham frown.
" Go back home, Mason. You are no good to us in this state," Graham says calmly and reaches for me again.
" You know why I've come here. Go, get the bath ready," Mason bites back making Graham laugh again.
" You dumb fuck. Make up your mind Mason," I wish I knew what that means, but I can always pry it out of Graham as soon as I regain the ability to string two words together.
Mason grunts in the back of his throat in warning, Graham turns on his heels and heads back towards the line of the doors on the wall opposite.
With a heavy sigh, Mason plops himself on one of the chaise longs, and sighs, looking defeated. Whatever is going on in that head of his, is weighing heavily on him.
In the ensuing silence, the only thing that can be heard is the bath water running, and the little waterfall Graham has inside that gargantuan room.
" I didn't mean for any of this to happen," Our eyes lock and all I can do is blink. I'm not mad at him. I'm not mad at all. He couldn't have known that this would happen. It was unexpected.
" Thank you," He says quietly and leans back on the chaise with me still in his arms. Considering that we are not exactly best friends, nor lovers anymore, this feels strangely natural.
I know it's just only on my part, but still, it is all the same.