Not a chance in hell of that happening.
Mason intended to get up and get a washcloth to clean them up, but he closed his eyes for a second, and the next thing he knew the sun was beaming through his sheer living room curtains. He reached for Jesse, but he wasn’t there, his side of the blankets cold as if he’d been gone for a while. Mason sat up, and that’s when he saw a naked Jesse in his kitchen—with only an apron tied in the front protecting his goodies—frying bacon and scrambling eggs.
It was a sight that damn near brought tears to Mason’s eyes. He’d been waiting for this for so long.
Mason
One month later.
“Fuck, motherfuckin’-stupid-ass-machine.” Mason fumed and threw his mouse across the bullpen. “I just want to print my goddamn report. Shit!”
Clark chuckled, too used to Mason’s technology tantrums to bother to glance up from what he was doing. There were several curses and some guffaws that rose up from his colleagues, but he ignored it like always. Jesse had texted him a half hour ago and said he was about to get on the road. If Mason didn’t hurry up and get out of there, his sweetheart would be stuck outside waiting on his front steps.
“Why don’t you just give the guy a key to your place?” Clark muttered. “Then I won’t have to hear this crap every Friday night.”
“Too soon for that,” Mason snapped, still stabbing his fingers at his keyboard.
“Then put a key under the mat or something. Gosh, you’re getting on my damn nerves.” Clark stood and put on his coat. “Well, all of my reports are done. And I have a cutie pie waiting for me at my place because I’m not afraid of commitment.”
“Erlene has a key to your house?” Mason gaped.
Clark winked. “Sure does. My house smells like cinnamon rolls and fresh bread all the time.”
“You asshole.” Mason threw a pack of Post-its at his partner’s back. “Why aren’t you sharing?”
“You and Jesse come over on Sunday to watch the game. Erlene’s making dinner.” He shrugged. “I guess I can share this once.”
“Sounds good, man,” Mason agreed, knowing Jesse would love to see Erlene again since he asked Clark about her all the time. His partner was almost to the door when Mason called out, “And by the way, I’m still waiting on my Braves box seats email confirmation. I want them for this season, not next year. A bet’s a bet, Sarge.”
“Yeah, yeah. I know. You won fair and square.” Clark waved him off and hurried out the door.
“Here’s your reports, Mase,” Free said, dropping the stack of papers in his outbox. “I told you. Stop beating up your computer. It’s done nothing to you.”
“The hell it hasn’t.” Mason powered off his demonic device just as Jesse strolled in through the precinct doors. He looked stylish in his denim jeans and camel-colored corduroy blazer. Heads turned in appreciation as he moved with purpose, but Jesse didn’t seem to notice. His once-sad brown eyes were now radiant and full of life and directly on Mason.
“Hey, you.” Mason wished he could kiss those tender lips and show Jesse how much he missed him this week, but that wouldn’t be very professional. “What are you doing here?”
“I thought I’d surprise you,” Jesse said. “Besides, I wanted to see your desk. Clark said it would be the one with the busted computer monitor.”
“This one right here.” Free pointed. “I was just about to go retrieve his mouse from over there against the wall.”
Jesse sucked his teeth. “You and that temper, Ellis.”
“You haven’t seen my temper, baby,” Mason answered, giving Jesse a look that said maybe he’d let him see it later.
“And how are you, Free?” Jesse blushed, clearing his throat. “It’s good to see you.”
“You too, man. How are you and Felix working out at your new place?”
“It’s really nice. It’s quiet there, which might be the best part,” Jesse said. “Did Ellis tell you I started a teaching position at Holly Springs Elementary school last week? It’s fifth grade English and reading comprehension, and I’m already loving it.”
“No. That is amazing news. And I promise I had nothing to do with you getting that job.” Free smirked.
“I know that.” Jesse laughed in that carefree way that made Mason’s heart skip a beat.
“I was just about to ask Mase if he wanted to grab some coffee with me and the guys before he went home, but I see he has a better option.”
“Indeed,” Mason said and took Jesse’s hand. “Rain check.”
An elderly man in a worn cowboy hat ambled inside with his cane in one hand and a brick in the other. “Isn’t that…”
“Yeah it is,” Free finished, his eyes wide. “That’s Mr. Walker, Bull’s father. What in the hell is he doing out at this hour?”