Page 53 of Trapped for Christmas

“Was that because you found out Leo’s with his assistant?”

“That helped with some perspective, but I’d already decided. I just wanted to give you some time. I didn’t want to push things. It had to be up to you. I thought I might have left it too late.”

He took hold of Zeb’s hand, squeezed it, and then kissed it gently.

“Thank you for being honest with me. Let’s finish dinner, and then we can talk.”

Mason smiled at him, making his heart skip. It felt as if it was only for him. Zeb had his dream right in front of him, eating mac and cheese. He needed to be brave and share everything with Mason. Otherwise, he would always think he wasn’t worthy.

CHAPTER 18

MASON

Mason passed a beer to Zeb, which was what he’d asked for. He wasn’t sure what to expect. Mason knew about the three relationships he’d had over the past few years, and that he’d had to hustle when he was on the streets. Was there more? Despite what Zeb might think, nothing would put Mason off now he’d pulled his head out of his ass, as Ryder would say.

“How do you want to sit?” asked Mason.

“Like this,” he said.

Mason didn’t like that there was a distance between them, so he moved closer. Zeb smiled at him and nodded his head. If needed, Zeb was now within reach.

“When I was twelve, my uncle found me looking at gay porn,” said Zeb, before taking a large drink of his beer.

Mason wasn’t expecting him to start like that, and his body prickled with tension. He didn’t like the way this was going.

“He threatened to out me to my family. My mom had already made her feelings clear on what she thought of dirty queers, and dad went along with whatever she wanted. He wanted me to do things to him, and then he’d keep quiet.”

Rage coursed through Mason. He wanted to find out who this man was and put him in the ground.

“You can stop grinding your teeth. He’s been dead for two years.”

“I thought you hadn’t spoken to your family since you left.”

“I haven’t, but I have a Google alert set up. It’s linked to New York, in case there’s anything online that says they might be in the city. Mom is a big deal at her church, and I wanted to be prepared in case I ever bumped into them. He was living in New York and had a heart attack in a seedy sex club. Caused a bit of a scandal back home.”

“Your home is New York, with me,” said Mason, unable to stop himself.

“I know, just a slip of the tongue. I haven’t thought of Philly as home since the day I left.

Mason felt warmed that he hadn’t been corrected about home being with him. He wanted that with Zeb. He’d been an idiot, but maybe they needed this time before both of them were ready for something more.

“When my uncle wanted to take things further, I refused. He told my mom, who was his sister. My grandpa had just died, but that didn’t stop them throwing me out.”

“Did they give you some form of ultimatum before they did that?” Mason asked, thinking about Max, who had been subjected to conversion therapy by his parents.

“No. I was told to get out and could only take the clothes I was wearing. Nothing else.”

Mason was already making a mental note to call Sebastian. He could find out who Zeb’s parents were and bring them misery.

“You’re plotting again, aren’t you?” asked Zeb with a smile.

“Can you blame me?”

“No, but it’s in the past and I want to leave it there. Okay?”

Mason grumbled his agreement, eliciting a laugh from Zeb. He loved that sound, so he’d count it as a win.

“How did you get to New York?”