Chasing Daylight

Chapter Fourteen

My pain fits in the palm of your freezing hand
-Taylor Swift
Maria
Monday night I sat on the couch alone waiting for The Bachelor to come on. Just as the clock hit eight, someone knocked on the door. I got up turning away from the recap and opening the door to find Mason standing there.
"Bachelor Monday, right?" He asked leaning against the wall.
"Yes, is that why you're here?" I laughed.
"I figured you were probably watching by yourself, so I thought I would give you some company," he replied.
"Sure," I nodded letting him inside. "Don't you have a key?"
"Yeah, but I didn't want to scare you," Mason shrugged.
"Knocking scares me more," I answered. "You, Max, and I are the only ones who have keys. It could have been some crazy person knocking."
"So why did you answer?" Mason laughed coming to sit down on the couch.
"I don't know," I laughed with a shrug. I sat down next to him pulling the blanket back over my legs and turning to the tv.
"Did you watch The Bachelor when you lived in Maine?" He asked me during the commercial.
"Yeah, I've watched like every season. I used to watch it with my mom before I even knew what a fantasy suite was," I laughed.
"I assume you didn't drink with her," he laughed and I shook her head.
"No way, my mom hated drinking," I replied. "She said it gave her headaches. It gives me headaches too, but it also makes this show so much more entertaining."
"Every time those girls scream, I feel like I should be taking a shot," he said.
"You can't focus on that," I replied. "You have to pick one girl you like, who you think is actually somewhat decent and root for her. You just have to laugh at the drama. None of this is real anyway. You can't fall in love in a few weeks anyway."
"Alright, who is your favorite?" He asked.
"Well this year is kind of like the worst year to start watching because all the girls are awful," I frowned. "They're all like models who just want Instagram followers."
"Are they usually not?" he asked.
"No, sometimes there is at least one girl who seems genuine," I replied.
"So then who am I supposed to root for?" he asked.
"No one," I laughed turning back to the tv. We watched for a while longer laughing and rolling our eyes at the girls' comments and the drama.
"I can't believe you voluntarily came to watch this," I laughed. "My dad hated this show. He used to have guys night every Monday night, so he wouldn't have to listen to it."
"Guys night?" Mason asked curiously.
"He and the neighbors used to sit in our garage and play darts and I don't know talk about cars or whatever guys do," I shrugged.
"Talk about cars," Mason laughed.
"I don't know, I'm not a guy," I said rolling my eyes.
"Is that his sweatshirt?" Mason asked pointing to the 49ers sweatshirt I had on.
"Yeah, his favorite team," I smiled.
"Your dad sounds like a good guy," Mason said. "Do you still speak to him?"
I bit my lip. I looked down at my lap. "He got lung cancer when I was seventeen. He passed away during my first month in college, so he got to see me graduate."
I felt the tears welling in my eyes as Mason touched my shoulder gently. "Do you want to tell me about him?"
"He was such a good sport. He knew every Taylor Swift song. He took us to a One Direction concert and danced like he knew the words. He took us shopping every year before school started and bought us anything we wanted. We were so spoiled. He helped me hang those little fairy lights in my dorm room even though he was sick. He was a really good man and a really great dad," I replied wiping my eyes with his sweatshirt. "I really miss him. His laugh is what I miss the most. I'm sorry if I'm upsetting you. I know your dad wasn't great."
"You're not making me upset," he replied rubbing my shoulder. "I like hearing about your parents. They seem like really great people. I'm glad you had them in your life and I wish I could have met them."
"Yeah, I wish that too," I nodded wiping my eyes again.
"Can I give you a hug?" He asked softly. I nodded and was instantly pressed against his chest. He was so warm and I felt so safe when he held me. He stroked my back gently.
"You okay?" He asked pulling away. I nodded pushing my hair behind my ears.
"I think that I'm going to go to bed," I said rubbing my eyes.
"Have you been sleeping better?" He asked.
I nodded, "I started taking something to help me sleep."
"Good," Mason replied standing up. "Have a good night."
"Thank you for coming over," I said giving him a wave before he walked out of the apartment. I was shocked the story of my dad had flowed out so easily. It was much more recent than the death of my mom and still hurt quite a bit. Once again, Mason reacted exactly how I needed proving he was just who I thought he was. I knew I was right to trust him and the way he reacted made me think I was right in my decision to leave Maine.
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