Liability (Suncoast Society #33)(76)

“Freddie,” Cole finally said. “Hit you with his car. He’s in jail. You were supposed to meet us for dinner at Sigalo’s and didn’t show. I texted you, and the FHP called me.”

“Saturday…?” It was all Mason could manage.

Cole sadly nodded. “Last Saturday. It’s ten days later. Your mom and stepdad were here for several days and went home two days ago. They’ll probably be back this weekend, now that you’re awake.”

Mason was still trying to process that.

Ten days.

Ten.

Cole apparently read his mind. “I talked to your job. They’re aware of what’s going on.”

Ten.

Fucking.

Days.

Even though it felt like trying to climb Mt. Everest, Mason managed another word.

“Pet.”

“She’s home sleeping. Well, at your place. We’ve been staying there because it’s closest to here.”

I can do this.

“Phone.”

Cole frowned. “Not sure what you mean, buddy.”

Mason didn’t know if the word had come out differently than he’d intended it, or Cole just didn’t understand what he meant.

“Phone.”

“I have your phone, Mase. It’s at home.”

Mason tried again, fighting his exhaustion and frustration and pain. “Pet…phone.”

Cole’s eyebrows went up. “I ordered her to get some sleep.”

Mason swallowed and tried one more time. “Phone.”

“You sure you want me to call her? She’ll be here in the morning.”

Mason squeezed Cole’s hand. It was easier than trying to talk again.

Cole dug out his phone and put it into FaceTime mode to call Kim’s phone. Cole held the phone so Mason’s face was visible in the window, and when Kim answered, it was yet another shock to Mason’s system. She looked haggard, drawn, and not just from being awakened from a sound sleep.

From her red, puffy eyes and swollen nose, she’d been crying.

A lot.

“Mason?”

Cole spoke up. “Sorry to wake you up, pet. Look who’s awake and demanded I call you.”

She started sobbing. “Mase, I love you. I–I’ll get dressed and be right there, I—”

“Stay,” he said, hoping Cole could hear him, not sure if she could.

“He says to stay, pet,” Cole said.

Mason squeezed Cole’s other hand, which still held his.

“But…I want to come see you.”

“Sleep,” he said. “Morning.”

Damn, he’d never take talking for granted again.

“Did you catch that?” Cole asked her.

“I couldn’t hear him.” Tears rolled down her face. She’d turned on a bedside lamp and he saw, yes, she was in his bed.

Poor pet.

That thought almost made Mason cry, and he didn’t want to cry right now.

“He said sleep, morning. I think he means get some sleep and come in the morning.”

Mason squeezed Cole’s hand in an affirmative.

“Yeah, that’s what he meant,” Cole said. “He just squeezed my hand.”

“How long’s he been awake?”

“Not long. I can tell you now what I was going to tell you in the morning—call in to work and come in after you get some sleep. I’ll sleep tomorrow during the day. And make sure you get some breakfast before you come in.”

Mason squeezed his hand to get his attention. When Cole looked at him, Mason said, “Go sleep.”

Cole smiled at him. “Sorry, buddy. You’re not my Master.” He leaned in and kissed Mason. “I’m overruling you. I’m staying here. Besides, I’m too tired to drive right now. I’d at least need a nap anyway.”

Mason stared up into Cole’s gaze and knew even if he tried to overrule Cole, the man would just disregard it.

That man needs a spanking.

Which he knew he’d never give Cole, because the guy didn’t get into that.

But he could spank pet by proxy.

Maybe.

One day.

He shifted his focus back to the phone. “Love you. Sleep.”

“I love you, too, Mase. I love you so much. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Good girl.”

She choked back a sob and managed a smile for him. “Thank you, Master.”

Cole leaned in. “I know this isn’t going to be easy, but try to go back to sleep and not worry.”

“Okay. Love you.”

“Love you, too, sweetheart. See you in the morning. Bring me breakfast.”

“Okay.”

Cole ended the call and smiled at him. “Thank god you’re awake. She’s a pet who really needs two owners, not just one.”

Mason closed his eyes and smiled, trying not to laugh. It’d hurt too damn much. The more awake he became, the more he realized he had pains elsewhere. His gut, for starters. Felt like he’d been sliced open.

His f*cking head was the worst, though.

“How bad?”

Cole ran through a litany of stuff, as if he was now intimately familiar with the terminology.

Of course he is.

The nurse, who’d stepped out for a moment, returned. “Mr. Lange, are you in any pain? I can get you some pain meds. The doctor left orders for them.”