I just shrugged again but didn’t reply. Mason turned and started to play another melody that I didn’t recognize, but it was very nice and pleasant.
I asked him, “When did you learn to play?”
“I’ve played piano since I was very young. In order for me to be able to learn martial arts, I had to learn and master the piano. It was a condition my mother placed on me.”
“Well, you fight really well, so you must be an excellent piano player,” I told him.
With agility, he ran down the keys on the piano, playing a melody that would only be heard at some classical orchestra concert. I watched in awe as he played the most beautiful, but sad, sounding melody. He looked over at me as he played, and I smiled.
He asked, “How long have you been singing?”
I sighed, “Since like forever. I sang all the time—in school and at church. After my mom left home though, I stopped. It didn’t mean anything to me anymore. When I got here though, I started back singing in the church choir with my grandma until she passed away.”
He looked solemnly at me.
“I’m so sorry Max. How long ago did she die?”
“About four years ago.”
“Is your grandfather still alive?”
“No, he died a year and some change after she did. We were really close.”
He nodded.
“Yeah, I can relate to that. I told you my grandparents were the only ones that could tell me and my brother apart. They practically brought me up. They were the only ones I would listen to growing up, and the only ones I listen to now. I love them dearly.”
“Yeah, I know that feeling. It’s been tough without them. But they made me strong, so I’m just trying to make sure I do them proud.”
I smiled weakly, thinking how much I missed my grandparents. My grandparents, who I called mom and pops, were there for me through the milestones in my life. They loved me in spite of myself and never judged me. And I have to say that once my pops took me from my father, I never looked back. It was only two years ago when I tried to connect with my father. I wanted to tell him his parents passed away, but he seemed to not care as much. As always, he was wrapped up in his own little world and could not care less about me and mine. I stayed in Dallas for at least a year and lived with my best friend, Kat. But the longer I stayed there, the more wrapped up I was getting into my father and his bad ways and life. So I made my way back to Philly and enrolled into nursing school.
I closed my eyes and got engrossed in what he was playing. When he finished, I looked over at him.
He said to me, “You have an amazing voice.”
I smiled.
“Thanks. You can play the hell out of this piano.” We both laughed, and I said, “Can you play me something else?”
He nodded and started to play another tune while I asked him questions about his childhood. We talked for what seemed like all night. I laughed so much, my cheeks and stomach hurt. He told story after story about all the jokes he and his brother played on people. He told me funny stories about his life and his experiences. I loved talking to this man. Just sitting here was easy. Being with him was just easy. I didn’t have to work on anything, which was so refreshing. The next thing we both knew, it was nearly 5 a.m.
Lou was finally kicking us out, and Mason walked me to the back of the bar to my car. He shoved his hands in his pockets and smiled shyly.
“I had a great time hanging out with you.”
I smiled back. “I did too…with you…hanging out with you.”
I shook my head and thought, Idiot. Much to my relief, Mason just smiled.
“Do you need a ride home?” I asked, trying not to let the night end.
Mason shook his head and moved back from me slightly. “Oh no, that’s okay. I’ll be fine. Goodnight, Max…uh….” he trailed off.
I knew what he wanted, so I smiled and said, “Shaw…Maxine Shaw.”
He bowed.
“Well, Ms. Shaw, until next time. Have a good night and text me when you get home, please.”
I gave him a horrible salute and opened my car door.
I called back, “Until then, Mr. West.”
Chapter 6
Mason
I am officially in hell. Since I’ve seen her at the bar three and a half weeks ago, I realized the need to have her was completely overwhelming. I mean, just listening to her talk to me is turning me on. I’m horny as fuck, and there’s no one I want to release into other than her. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a guy. So I have tried to fulfill this nagging want. But after hours of fucking a couple of random females Alex hooked me up with, the need is still there. It’s her that I want.
Fuck me.
The Saturday I found myself at The Bar sitting in front of the piano Lou recently bought, I was at a low. The amount of alcohol I consumed was not taking the pain away. The memories of what I did as a SEAL and who I had become were overwhelming me. I can’t begin to understand how I’ve come to this point. I went out in search of somewhere to drown my guilt. I was thinking about my team, about the SEAL buddies I lost and the ones I left behind. I felt like I abandoned them by leaving like I did, and it was starting to eat at me.