When the Music Stops (Mason Brothers Book #2)

Chapter 20

PARKER

For the first time in probably twenty years, we decided to close the bar on Christmas Day. Normally we wouldn’t, our parents never did either, but it just felt different this year. Mel and Adam were here until New Year’s, our little Mason family had grown into one that included spouses, a kid, and significant others, and it just seemed like we needed to spend the day together.

The day was highlighted by the final gift that we all received. It was from Eden and Fletcher, they had us all open the gift bags at the same time and everybody got a t-shirt that said, “My Nephew/Grandson/Brother is the Best.” That’s right, they were having another boy and everybody was thrilled.

I guess Fletcher and Eden are putting together their own little Mason crew that may rival Mom and Dad’s. That was punctuated by Joey’s gift to Fletch, papers to officially adopt and change his name. Once signed, sealed, and delivered, Joey Carter will be Joey Mason and Fletch will legally be his dad. We all felt that Joey was always meant to be a Mason, but now it would be legal. Needless to say, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

For New Year’s we were expecting a huge party at the bar, like always. The resort had a bar attached to it, but for the locals it was a bit too “uppity” and they preferred the casual, down to earth Mason Jar. The place was absolutely packed and it was all hands on desk, including Mom and Dad. 

I was missing my girl tonight, but I made a few excuses to run by the bar so I could get a look at her. She had on a sexy little cocktail dress. It was silver and shimmered everytime she moved. She was like my own little disco ball and the fact that she was mine made life that much better.

“Hey sexy, can I get two drafts and a glass of merlot?” I said, sliding the paper order onto the bar.

Fletch swoops in front of Jolie and takes the ticket before she can grab it, “Sure, but if my wife hears you calling me that she might get angry.”

Jolie snatches the ticket back from Fletch, giggling, “Call me crazy, Fletch, but I think he might be talking to me.”

“Oh! That would make a lot more sense.” Fletch walks to the other side of the bar while Jolie fills the order for me. After setting the three glasses onto a clean tray she takes my old, dirty one and tosses it into the sink.

“Thanks babe. How are you doing tonight?”

“I’m good. I actually really love the craziness of such a busy night.”

“Me too, but I hate not being able to see you as much. I don’t think I’d be able to sneak you off without them all noticing.”

She smiles and leans over the bar to kiss my cheek, “Just promise me that you’ll save me a kiss for midnight.”

“Oh please, nobody in this world I’d rather plant my lips on than you, sweet thing.”

I gave her ass a little swat and she blushed just enough to get me all wound up again. I may not be able to sneak her off during work hours, but when we closed up I was sure as hell taking her back to my place to make our own fireworks for the new year.

I make another round to my tables and then fill a few orders for people on the dance floor. When I finally get a chance to take a breather, I hang out in the back corner by the pool table with a glass of water. I wish it was something stronger, but mom would kick my ass if I drank on the job, even if it was a holiday.

“Oh hey Parker. There you are.” I look to my left and one of the “E” girls slides up next to me, trying to wrap her arms around me. I take a small step to the side to maintain space without coming off too rude.

“Hi Chloe, how are you?”

“I’d be doing better if you came and shared a dance with me.”

Chloe is probably the most forward of the E girls, or as the girls call them, “Parker’s Fan Club.” I hated admitting to Jolie that we’d had a thing a couple years ago. Glenwood Springs was a small town though and she was bound to know who my ex-girlfriends/flings were. Obviously neither of us were innocent virgins before meeting, but I know Jolie hated that the girls hung around the bar so much.

“I’m flattered that you asked, but you already know that I have a girlfriend.”

“Oh right, the bartender.” She said that with a bit of attitude in her voice, which frankly just pissed me off. My crossed arms didn’t seem to give her a clear message though because she walked up closer to me and put her hand on my chest.  “Come on, Parker. Just one dance is all I’m asking. She can’t possibly get mad, we have a history you know, a great one if you ask me.”

I shook my head and wrapped my arm around her wrist and pulled it off of my chest. “This isn’t up for debate, Chloe. I love Jolie and I’m not about the fuck it up even for just one dance. If I have time to dance with anybody tonight it is going to be her.”

I hear the sound of a throat clearing and my eyes fly up and I see Jolie standing on the other side of the pool table. With a huff, Chloe walks off and I don’t miss the slight brush up that she gives Jolie as she walks by. Jolie didn’t even flinch though. Her eyes were set directly on me and once Chloe cleared the area, she made strides towards me.

“I know that looked bad, but she came up to me and I was telling her no. I would nev…”

My words are cut off by her lips pressing against mine. I return her kiss with as much intensity as she was giving me. It took everything in my will power to not prop her up against the pool table and tear her panties off. When she finally pulls away from me I notice a look in her eyes that I’m not sure I’ve seen before.

“I heard you,” she said quietly. A lot was going on around us, but she was close enough to me that I could hear her.

“You heard me tell her that I wasn’t going to mess this up?”

“Not just that, Parker,” she shakes her head. “You said that you loved me.”

“I guess I did, didn’t I?”

“Did you mean it? Do you love me, Park? Because I really hope that you do because I am pretty fucking sure that I love you too, but I’ve been scared to tell you.”

“Why were you scared?”

She looks down for a moment, probably scared of my reaction, “I was scared you wouldn’t feel the same way.”

“Not even close, Red.” I put my hands around her face to cup it and I lower my lips until I touch hers. It isn’t rough, but it is deep, meaningful, and sensational. I give her bottom lip a slight tongue as I pull away and it leaves a smile on both of our faces.

“I love you, Jolie Rollins.”

“I love you too, Parker Mason.”

An hour later I made sure to get my ass behind the bar as the clock struck midnight. I didn’t care who saw, I picked her up in my arms, her legs instinctively wrapping around my waist, and I kissed the ever loving hell out of my women. I needed the whole damn bar, forget that, the whole damn TOWN to know that Jolie was mine and I loved her.