midnight rain | mason mount

xxxiv

AUTHOR POV.
DECEMBER 25, 2022 

They'd had dinner with Mason's family on Christmas eve, and they had decided to do Christmas dinner with their friends. 

- So I take that you're not coming, then?

"Yeah. I'm sorry. I would like to go, but we're spending Christmas in London with Ben, Reece, Kai, and Sophia."

- Nah, I get it. That's fine. We're doing a Christmas dinner amongst ourselves too— Ruben, me, John, and a couple of our other friends. They've been asking if you're coming, since you always join us. 

"I know. I wish I could be there. I'll see you soon, though." 

- Yeah. How's everything with Mason, anyways? The last time we talked, you told me things were a bit bumpy.

"Yeah. I suppose. I mean, things are better, but it's hard, you know. He hasn't been having the best season and it's really taking a toll on him. I wanna be there for him but it's hard. There's only so much I can do." 

- Don't beat yourself up about it. You're doing the best you can.

"How's your foot been?" 

- How'd you know about that? 

"Please. I know you like the back of my hand." 

- No, seriously? 

"I was worried after the World Cup. I saw you come off and you were rolling your ankle the way you always do when it hurts." 

- You really know me better than I know myself, don't you? 

"Take it easy, okay? I'm worried about you. You're still 22. You have your whole career ahead of you— I don't want you to get injured or burn out." 

- You sound like my mom. 

"Maybe because you're always acting like a child." 

- Very funny. I gotta go now, but I'll talk to you soon? 

"Ok. Love you. Bye." 

Charlotte headed back to the kitchen where Mason was preparing food. They were doing a potluck, so the others were bringing food— but Charlotte didn't trust two bachelors, Ben and Reece, to be good at cooking. 

"What are you putting together?" Charlotte asked, hugging Mason from behind his back while he was busy at the stove cooking something.  

"Trying to finish the pot roast that you started. But it's not looking too promising." He replied, laughing.

"C'mon, move aside." Charlotte said, laughing and pushing him aside. "I got it. Can you go set the tables?" 

"Yeah. They just called, said they'll be here in a couple of minutes. Reece gave up on cooking, so he's bringing a few bottles of wine. Ben's bringing ingredients because he can't figure out how to cook." 

"Why am I not surprised?" Charlotte replied, laughing. "He's a terrible book." 

"How'd you know that about Ben?" Mason asked. 

"We hung out a lot when I first settled into London. Ben with his ACL tear, you always being at training. Didn't have much to do during the day all by myself." 

Just as Mason was about to say something, the doorbell rang. "I'll go get it." Mason said, heading to the door. Charlotte nodded, and went back to finishing up the pot roast. 

It was Ben and Reece. After exchanging greetings with Mason, Ben came into the kitchen and dumped the groceries he had brought on the kitchen counter. "Brought some salmon and pasta. Please help me figure out what to do with it."