Page 48 of Chasing The Alpha's Son
“You have! Thank you!” Katie wraps him in a big hug and I grin, happy to see Katie embracing this new terminology. I wish I was this comfortable with labels, with my label.
“In fact,” Katie says, standing, “you’ve helped so much I think I’m going to find those two and talk to them right now. Todd said they were going to check out a hockey game in some bar. Wish me luck!”
With an excited squeal, Katie is off. Mason and I call out as she goes, wishing her the best.
“Maybe I should be a therapist,” Mason says.
Our eyes meet and I’m suddenly aware that we’re alone in the most festive setting possible. I think Mason notices it too because he pushes off the bench.
“You want to walk a bit more?” he asks. “I know you’re supposed to do all your Christmas things with Katie, but there’s this café that sells the best peppermint coffees.”
“Uh, sure.”
Amblingly, we wander through the square toward where a group of carolers have set up. I’m thankful for the noise because I suddenly have no idea what to say. Why have I forgotten how to talk?
We pause for a moment to listen to their rendition of “Sleigh Ride,” but move on the second we hear the first line of “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” That song is a classic but it’s way overdone.
“So,” Mason says, dragging out the vowel sound, “you’re really into Christmas, hey?”
I stick my hands into my coat pockets and shrug my shoulders.
“I guess… I mean back when Katie and I were kids, Christmas was everything—the most exciting time of year. Now I think it’s more like tradition, like we’re just trying to keep that magic alive, you know. Because…”
I pause and watch my breath puffing out in a cloud before me. I’ve never really stopped to think about why we still do all this silly stuff. Sure, it’s fun. But I can’t pretend this year doesn’t feel different.
Mason tilts his head to look at me, as if to let me know it’s okay to say what I need to.
“So much has changed in the last year,” I say. “Katie and I, we’ve both changed…a lot. I don’t know, maybe we’re just holding on because we’re scared of losing our friendship.”
“Fair,” he says. “But I don’t think you two have to worry.”
“I hope you’re right. It’s just now Katie has her two mates and I have my…whatever, and soon school will be finished and sometimes I feel like everything is moving so quickly. What if I look up one day and I don’t even know who I am anymore.”
“I have a feeling you’ll figure it all out,” Mason says, pointing toward a vine-draped archway that leads to a snow-covered park. “This way.”
Someone has cleared the paths, thank goodness, but everything else is snowed under. Up ahead, some playground equipment is giving igloo vibes.
We wander through the park toward a frozen duck pond without ducks; we get halfway across a cute bridge and stop to lean against the railing.
“I know how you feel though,” Mason says. “Why you’d hold onto childhood traditions and all that.”
He leans over, staring at his fractured reflection in the ice.
“Mia and I used to be really close, but ever since she turned eighteen, Alpha Morven has been on her back about taking over the pack. My dad’s been on my back as well but, well, he’s not a great communicator.”
“I’m sorry. Being the future beta is a big responsibility.”
He snorts. “Yeah and like, I couldn’t care less about battle strategy, or border control, or any of it. I just want to read comics and watch baking-competition shows forever.”
“That sucks.”
“Then there’s the whole being gay thing; I can’t imagine Daddy Beta is going to take that very well.”
I gulp at the word, but force myself not to panic. Mason is opening up to me: he needs a friend, not a flake who’s dealing with their own internal bullshit.
“I’m sorry that’s so hard,” I say. “I know we’re only here for a little while, but you can always talk to me. You have my number now, so…”
Mason eyes me in a sort of amused, questioning way, then spins around so that his back is resting on the railing, and grins.
