Face Down (Fuckboy Series Book 2) (FINISHED)

Chapter Nine

Mason looked up from his laptop when he heard the door open. One glance at the clock in the corner of his screen told him the time, and he wondered why Colton was home so early. Normally the parties Colton attended for work ran well into the early morning hours. Knowing Colton, he had probably gotten a date and wanted to come home and change before going out again.

Mason quickly saved his work and closed his laptop before Colton could see what he had been up to. He had taken on a few extra projects at work for the overtime pay. Colton’s birthday was in less than five weeks and he wanted to buy him something special this year. Somewhere along the way, their relationship had changed. He wasn’t sure what was different about it, but he didn’t want to question it, either. He just wanted to make Colton’s birthday extra special, so he was saving money to do that.

“Hey there, sexy,” Mason grinned as Colton finally came into view. When their eyes met, he could tell Colton wasn’t in the mood to banter back and forth so he dropped the playfulness. Something was wrong, and he was going to find out what it was.

“What’s wrong, Colt?” Mason asked, getting up to meet him just inside the doorway. He could see it written all over Colton’s face, he was... well he wasn’t sure what he was. He’d never seen him like this before.

“I’m exhausted,” he murmured softly, looking away from Mason, keeping his eyes down so he could hide his true feelings.

Mason knew better and didn’t bother entertaining that lame excuse. Colton might be tired, but he knew there was something deeper going on. “No, it’s more than that. What’s going on?”

Colton shook his head as he walked past Mason and headed into the kitchen. “It’s nothing, Mase. Seriously. I just want to grab a drink and-“

“You look like you’ve been crying,” Mason interrupted.

The silence stretched between them as Colton dug around inside the fridge to get a bottle of water. Mason was unsure about what to say, but he felt compelled to make sure his best friend was all right.

When he finally realized Colton didn’t plan on talking about it he changed the subject. “Why don’t you go rest and I’ll make you some tea instead.” Mason bit his lip as he waited for Colton’s response. After a few more seconds of silence, Colton tossed the bottle back into the fridge and walked off.

Mason’s brow creased with anxiety. He didn’t know what was wrong with Colton but he knew whatever it was, now wasn’t the time to grill him about it. He would tell him when he was ready. If he chose not to that was his decision.

Mason lingered in the kitchen and put off setting the kettle on. He wanted to give Colton enough time to undress, catch a shower, get in bed, and get comfortable before he interrupted him.

Finally, after he felt as if enough time had passed he put the kettle on, then waited until it whistled before pulling it off the stove. He dropped a tea bag into a mug and poured some water in, then scooped sugar in before setting off down the hallway to Colton’s room.

He knocked lightly on Colton’s door and pushed it open, finding him already in bed. “You all right?” he asked as he walked over, sitting on the edge of the bed. Mason put the mug on the side table and turned toward Colton as he spoke.

“Yeah, I’m just exhausted.” Colton tried for a smile but didn’t quite make it.

Mason reached out, running his fingers through Colton’s long hair, pushing it back out of his face. “If you want to talk, I’m right here.”

Colton stared up into Mason’s eyes. This man loved him. Colton knew Mason had loved him for a long time, but he never understood just how deep that love ran until now. Colton’s stomach twisted painfully when he realized that he had always taken Mason’s love for granted.

“Do you love me?” he asked out of nowhere as he watched for Mason’s reaction.

Mason was taken aback by the question. Out of all the things that could have come out of Colton’s mouth, that was the last thing he’d expected him to say tonight. “I...” he stuttered slightly, unsure about what Colton wanted to hear.

“Honestly? Do you love me? Are you in love with me?” Colton tried again, his eyes scanning Mason’s face.

Mason looked down as a knot formed in his throat, making it difficult to breathe. “I do,”  he whispered.

He had never admitted that to anyone before now and it made him feel open and way too vulnerable for his liking. He had always thought Colton knew he was in love with him, but now it was painfully obvious he’d never gotten the memo.

“Are you in love with me, Mase?” he asked again.

“I am in love with you... I have always been. I thought you knew that though.” Mason caught Colton’s eyes and held them.

“I knew you loved me like a friend. I never knew you were in love with me.” Colton reached out and cupped Mason’s face, rubbing his thumb gently along his cheekbone.

Mason felt his heart pound against his ribcage as the butterflies took off in his stomach, making him half sick. Love sick, he thought silently as he held Colton’s eyes and leaned into his touch. “I have always loved you and I will always love you, Colt. No matter what.”

Colton’s brow creased as he continued to hold Mason’s eyes, looking at him as if he was judging the honesty in his words. Without warning he propped himself up on his elbow and leaned in, taking Mason’s lips in a soft kiss. He didn’t push the kiss, he just kept his lips there as he breathed Mason in. He needed his love and support to steady the unruly emotions that were running amok inside of him. He felt lost and Mason was the anchor he needed to make sure he could find his way back home.

Mason slid his arms around Colton, holding him close as they pressed their foreheads together while their lips touched softly. He wasn’t sure what was going on, but it was obvious to him that Colton needed him. “I’m right here.” His voice was soft as he spoke, almost a whisper as he held on to Colton, giving him whatever it was he needed.

Colton closed his eyes and breathed Mason in, anchoring himself as he tried to push back the uneasiness of the night. “Good,” he whispered back, his thumb brushing Mason’s face as he stayed there, pressed against him for a little while longer. After a few minutes Colton pulled back and nodded to the spot next to him on the bed. “Will you sleep with me tonight?”

Forgetting about the work he still had to do before Monday, Mason slipped out of his clothes. He stripped down to his briefs, now unable to hide the hard on he’d gotten from their embrace. He wasn’t sure what Colton was looking for, but if he wanted him completely naked, he would leave that up to him.

Colton held the covers open for Mason, watching as he slipped under them and settled in. They laid facing each other, which was a familiar position for them. But whereas before there was a distance between them during the times they slept together to talk about games, football, or whatever topic was currently consuming their lives, now they scooted closer to each other until their bodies were twisted together. They laid so close it was hard to tell where one ended and the other began.

Colton rested his head on Mason’s arm and snuggled into his shoulder, needing the comfort only Mason could give him. After everything that had happened today he felt fragile, vulnerable, and unsettled. But here, wrapped in Mason’s arms, he felt safe.

The connection between them was strong. As Mason ran his hands all over his body, Colton’s breath deepened as he relaxed. He could feel Mason’s c**k pressed against his and he had never wanted to f**k someone more in his life. He held on to that though, keeping it to himself as he pressed his face into Mason’s chest and took a deep breath. He found enough solace there to ease his mind and soothe his soul. Mason, without realizing it, had a way of taming the emotions inside of him that held him captive.

“I love you, too.” Colton whispered as he closed his eyes and let Mason’s scent consume him.

Mason smiled softly, his heart beating so hard he was sure Colton could feel it banging against his face like a drum. He reigned his feelings in, wanting to be there for Colton when he needed him without making him feel uncomfortable. His hands ran all over Colton’s skin, rubbing his back until his breathing evened out and he fell asleep. He still wasn’t sure what Colton needed from him or why, but whatever it was, he was more than happy to give it to him.

Mason watched Colton for what seemed like hours, running his fingers through his hair before he too, finally fell asleep.