A Time Before Us by Michael Holloway Perronne

Author:Michael Holloway Perronne
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fiction, romance, literature, new orleans, gay, french quarter, sequel, perronne, a time before me, falling into me
Publisher: Chances Press, LLC

Chapter 16

Mason

I started my way back to New Orleans down the long stretch of Mississippi highway bordered mostly by endless green pine trees and the occasional small town. I called Joey on my hands-free device. I couldn't wait until I got home to at least touch base with him. I had been a coward long enough.

The phone rang three times and my heart began to sink when I felt voicemail headed my way. But then at the last moment, he picked up.

“Hey,” he greeted a little too hesitantly.

“Hey,” I replied, before pausing for a beat. “I'm on my way back home from my mother's.”

“How is she?” he asked.

“Pretty good. Maybe better than expected. She had a little surprise for me, but I'll tell you about that later.”

“Okay.”

Dancing around the subject.

I took a deep breath, and then said, “I'm so sorry about this morning. I shouldn't have run off like that. I was wrong to do so.”

I paused, and Joey fell silent. He wanted more and I really couldn't blame him.

“I just couldn't face everyone this morning. I felt like I had let everyone down, especially you in such a huge way. I was ashamed.”

“You should have told me, Mason. We don't keep secrets from each other.”

“I know. When I get back, can we please talk this out a little more?”

“You'll be exhausted after your drive.”

“I don't want to wait, though. I can't even think about going to sleep tonight until I talk to you some more. Please. Please?”

He was silent for a second before saying, “Sure. Just drive safe. It's getting late.”

I breathed a sigh of relief.

“Thank you. I love you.”

“I love you, too. Just get home. Okay?”

“Yes, sir. See you soon.”

“Bye.”

He still loved me even after my big-time fuck up. Now that said something!

I cranked up the stereo and blasted some old school Donna Summers to keep me going, although I felt completely invigorated after talking with Joey. It would take some work to get his trust back, but at least now I knew I had a chance to try and make it up to him.

Suddenly, the phone rang, and I assumed it was Joey calling back. I turned Donna down.

“Hey,” I answered.

“Hey yourself, Mississippi Mason.”

It was Katie!

“Hey, girl! Shouldn't y’all be on your honeymoon?”

“We are, and we're having a blast. Caroline is having a mud treatment right now. I decided to spend a few minutes by the pool and thought I'd call you to say thanks again to you and Joey for everything. The whole wedding was just beautiful. I don't know how we'll ever be able to thank you enough.”

“Just have a long and happy marriage. That'll be all the thanks we need.”

“How are you? Where are you?”

I didn't really want to get into the hows and wheres. Katie and I had been extremely close friends ever since we stumbled upon each other in a San Francisco café. We told each other everything whether the other wanted to hear it or not. But I didn't want to spoil her honeymoon with my latest ‘Gays of our Lives’.

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