Pairing: Mason/Matt-Tyler (M/m) hand, ping pong paddle
Prompt for VampireQueen666 (AO3) adapted to fit into chapter
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Mystic Falls High School
Fifth Hour
Jeremy told the art teacher that he would get Annabelle caught up on the latest project the class was working on. They were drawing from still lives that students had constructed from found objects. Annabelle chose a simple floral arrangement and put them in an old vase.
"Here, I like charcoal, but since we are getting graded on our shading, it's best to use one of these pencils," Jeremy explained, grabbing a pencil from the set. "Like this."
Annabelle watched in amazement as Jeremy easily sketched the artificial flowers.
"Jeremy, you are so good," Annabelle gushed. "I don't think I can do that."
Jeremy flushed with pleasure. He met Annabelle's dark eyes and then focused back on the drawing.
"You can learn. Here, just look at the basic shapes and go from there," Jeremy said.
Annabelle took the pencil and tried, but her efforts were poor.
"I don't know...maybe you can just do it for me?" Annabelle laughed.
"Nah, then you will never learn," Jeremy proposed. "Just do your best."
"I'll work on it. What class is study hall? I have that next," Annabelle inquired, trying to shape out the form of the vase.
"That is just a time to do homework and stuff. I have gym, but maybe I'll say I don't feel good and stop by?" Jeremy proposed.
"Bring your sketchbook. I want to see more of your drawings," Annabelle suggested. "Maybe you can inspire me?"
"Yeah, sure. Now, look at that edge. See how it connects to the rest of the objects. It's all about relationships...," Jeremy tutored. This was one class that Jeremy didn't need any help in.
Study Hall
Cafeteria
Tyler leaned over as Caroline reached into her bag for lip gloss. They were sitting at the long cafeteria tables waiting out school until the end of the day.
"Were you looking down my shirt?" Caroline scolded with a grin.
Tyler stroked her arm.
"Babe, it's been a while. Why don't you come over tonight?" Tyler offered.
Caroline applied the cherry scented gloss without looking at him.
"Nope. I have cheer and you have baseball. Plus, I promised my mom I'd go over her new deputy's house for dinner. His daughter goes her now. Did you see her? She's that goth girl with curly hair with pink streaks in it."
Tyler shrugged, "I don't look at other chicks. You know that."
Caroline burst out laughing, saying, "Spare me. But we have all weekend. Is that party still on for tomorrow?"
Tyler flung his pencil on the cafeteria tables.
"Nope. Full moon. Uncle Mason said it's too dangerous," Tyler said. "Plus, aren't Elena and Bonnie going to the lake house?"
"Yeah, that sucks about the party, but maybe you can make it an afterparty next week after the decade dance?" Caroline said suddenly. "Then, everyone will be there."
"That would be better. Matt will probably go over and see Vicki tomorrow night anyway. I need him to get the beer," Tyler recalled.
"Good. It's a plan. But we can still hang out this weekend. Maybe invite Jeremy's friend, Annabelle? She seems a little weird, but nice. I'll invite the goth girl tonight. It won't hurt to have some new people around," Caroline said, picking up Tyler's pencil. "Now, come on. We have to do these history questions."
"You get started, babe. I see that Annabelle girl. I'll ask her now, before I forget. See how I always do what you ask me?" Tyler joked.
Caroline's phone buzzed.
"Yeah, right. I need to meet Tikki in the bathroom. She wants to do the Sexy Suds Car Wash for tomorrow. Ugh, we didn't even make fliers yet. I don't know what they would do around here without me?" Caroline fumed.
"Probably die," Tyler said, getting up and kissing her on the head. Jeremy Gilbert walked in and sat by Anna.
Tyler rolled his eyes, "Skipping class again, Jer? Don't you usually do that in the stoner's pit?"
Jeremy frowned and looked up at Tyler.
"Annabelle, did you meet Lockwood yet? Annabelle, Tyler," Jeremy said brusquely. He had taken his sketchbook out of his bag, but now tried to sneak it back in.
"Hi," Annabelle said, wondering what was going on.
"Not so fast," Tyler snarled. "I hope you got rid of those special drawings you had of Vicki, maybe I should check!"
Tyler yanked the sketchbook out of Jeremy's hands.
Jeremy's eyes widened and he remembered how easily Tyler had overpowered him in the restroom at the Grill. And Stefan wasn't in sight to protect him this time.
Tyler started to flip through the sketchbook. Matt had been sitting with some guys from the team and jogged over.
"Ty, man, you are causing a scene. What's going on?" Matt asked.
"Nothing, just checking up on Gilbert here," Tyler snapped, but he didn't find any of the drawings. "He had some real pretty ones of your sister..."
"Vicki? You had drawings of Vic?" Matt asked in confusion.
"It was for a class!" Jeremy defended. "And we already did this, at the bathroom of the Grill. There is nothing there, Tyler!"
Tyler hated to be wrong. Jeremy must have ripped out the drawings.
"He had naked pictures of your sister," Tyler snarled. "Fucking perv."
Matt saw red and grabbed Jeremy's t-shirt.
"You what? I'll kick your ass myself! You won't have to worry about Tyler. What the hell, man?" Matt exploded.
Dorian Williams had been doing research at a table in the front. He noticed the commotion and came over.
"Boys, back to your seats. Now," the teacher demanded.
"Mr. Williams, he is the one skipping," Tyler smirked.
"I'll take care of that," Dorian said. "Now, go or I'll have to speak to your baseball coach. We don't need a fight in here."
Tyler's blood was up.
"Get ahead. What's he gonna do? I'm the best player on the team. I know you are new here, Mr. Williams, but don't overstep," Tyler warned.
Matt let go over Jeremy's shirt with a scowl.
"This isn't over, Jeremy," Matt threatened, stepping back.
"Yes, it is, boys. Now, I will be speaking to your coach. I don't care if you are playing for the Yankees, you need to follow the rules," Dorian lectured.
"Fuck the Yankees," Matt muttered, turning back to head to his table.
Dorian looked at Matt, asking, "I didn't see your name on the roster. You better go where you need to be."
"I have a pass-," Jeremy tried, holding his green pass to the nurse.
"Then, go there," Dorian chided. "I would hate to have to tell Ric that you were skipping."
"I'm going," Jeremy said, gathering up his stuff. "Sorry."
Dorian nodded and watched Tyler go back and sit down.
Caroline strolled back in.
"Okay, got Tiki straightened out. Car wash is also next weekend. Did you ask Annabelle to come to the party?" Caroline wondered.
"Ah, no," Tyler said, still angry. "But I might kick Elena's little brother's ass for him."
Caroline saw Jeremy leaving the cafeteria and Annabelle was sitting there watching him. She was just gone a few minutes, what had Tyler done now?
"Seriously? Can't you go one day without trying to fight someone?" Caroline hissed, getting up. "Call me after the full moon. Wolf or not, it makes you a total dick!"
"Caroline!" Tyler tried, but Caroline stalked off, her blonde hair flouncing after her. He snapped his pencil in half and clenched his fists. He was too pissed now to work.
Salvatore Boarding House
Basement
Afternoon
Katherine looked at the destroyed tea service and kicked the shattered tea pot out of the way with her black high-heeled boot.
Pearl was holding Vicki and rocking her.
"Shhh, she finally fell asleep," Pearl said quietly. "I thought you were going shopping?"
"We did, for like two hours," Katherine grinned. "I see this went well..."
Pearl smiled, saying, "She's strong. Victoria is going to be okay. She just needs to know we mean what we say. I have a feeling she never had that before."
"I heard that mom is a real piece of work," Katherine muttered.
"People say that about you, I am sure," Pearl retorted. "It took a while, but Victoria finally complied. The tea set, I am afraid is no more."
"I can see that. They make things out of plastic now, it's less dangerous. Maybe you should switch to plastic and paper cups?" Katherine said, walking closer and looking at Vicki's face. It was streaked with tears and dirt. "She needs a bath."
"I do not think the paper will be necessary. I will just have to keep the spoon handy and dowse it with vervain, I should imagine," Pearl answered. "But she does need a bath. Get the door for me?"
Katherine nodded and reopened the metal door.
"I got you a present," Katherine shared, taking out a small gold watch pendent on a chain. "I think you used to have one just like it."
Pearl got up carefully, still holding Vicki.
"Yes, why Katherine Pierce, it is beautiful," Pearl gushed in surprise, then narrowing her dark eyes in suspicion. "Why am I getting gifts? I know you are up to something."
"You know me too well, old friend," Katherine piped up. "Actually, I do have a favor. Mason has been asked to become mayor. He needs some help with his wardrobe, for starters. But I don't want Nadia to know..."
Pearl carried Vicki to the door and stepped through.
"Why, Katherine? This would not be the first time I covered for you, but I do not understand the purpose," Pearl said, making her way through the dim, dank hallway.
"It's silly, but I told Nadia that I was done with men," Katherine admitted. "Mason is someone I used and...I just want to make it up to him. I never fancied a werewolf before, so it's not that. He just needs a friend right now. He's in over his head."
Pearl started up the creaky stairs to the main level.
"And perhaps you do, too? That is your prerogative, but if you are concerned about Nadia. I will help you. What do you want me to say?"
Katherine opened the top door to the stairs. They had put another lock on it, just in case Vicki escaped her cell.
"Just keep her busy and maybe let her help you with Vicki. Like Annabelle, she spent nearly her whole existence searching for me. But I can't be her everything. I'll just break her heart-again," Katherine stated quietly.
Pearl paused and replied, "She just wants you to be her mother. That does not mean that you cannot have a life. But go, do what you need to do. I will ask Nadia to help me. God knows I shall need it. And I need that watch. I think Annabelle should be home soon."
Katherine put the watch chain around Pearl's neck.
"There. You now have the time. If I am not home tonight, make up some excuse," Katherine giggled.
"Just friends?" Pearl prompted wryly. "Hmmm...Have your amusements, Katherine. And thank you for the watch."
Pearl carried Vicki up to the bedrooms. The girl would turn feral if left in that cell any longer. She would just have to learn to behave.
"Oh, I also got you some pants and a few other things. Enjoy," Katherine giggled, leaving the boarding house.
Pearl looked back and noticed that Katherine had an overnight bag. Was she even planning to come back?
Mystic Falls High School
After School
Mason made his way to the locker rooms with memories flooding his mind. Many of them were great memories of fun with friends, victories on the football field, and old love affairs. But a part of him felt sad, he had lost touch with his friends and squandered his youth, as well as his money.
Mason had spent the afternoon in his brother's office, learning about his new duties. He was overwhelmed, but also concerned for his brother and his sister-in-law. Charles had been older and they never saw eye-to-eye. Mason had been the rebellious younger son, while Charles did his duty. Look where that got him, Mason mused, as he got to the locker room door.
"Hey," Mason said to a group of athletes heading out. "Have you seen Tyler and Matt around?"
One of the boys smirked, "Yeah, they are in the coach's office. I don't know if I'll go in there right now though."
"Shit, thanks, man," Mason said under his breath. Going into the locker room, he smelled the sour stench of sweat and felt the steam of the showers. Then, Mason heard yelling. He headed to the where the coach's office used to be. Everything looked pretty much the same.
"You do not disrespect a teacher. Study hall is for you to study," Coach Wineman said. "You will apologize to Mr. Williams tomorrow or you're off the team! Both of you! This is the last straw."
"Coach, this is bullshit! We didn't even get in a fight," Tyler yelled back.
"And he's a Yankees' fan," Matt cut in. "We hate the Yankees!"
The coach opened his mouth to respond when the door opened.
Mason cleared his throat as he looked around the small office. Memories of being in this room overwhelmed him a second.
"Excuse me, who the hell are you?" the Coach asked, standing up from his metal desk.
Tyler and Matt were still in their practice uniforms, sitting on cheap metal chairs.
"Sorry, Coach. I'm Mason Lockwood," Mason started, glaring at the boys. "I went to school here and I'm Tyler's nephew and Matt's guardian right now. Is there a problem?"
The coach walked over and shook Mason's hand.
"Yeah, these two were being bullies and mouthing off to teachers in study hall. They are about to get bounced from the damn team," Coach Wineman announced.
Tyler rolled his eyes and looked at Mason for help.
"Don't give me that look," Mason shouted. "I'm thinking this isn't the first time this has been an issue?"
"No, not at all. Usually, the Mayor comes down and makes a generous donation to our association. That's the only reason Tyler is still on the team," Coach shared. "With his friends on the board, he usually gets his way. But I'm tired of it. And when I called the Mayor's office, they said he was out of town."
"Yeah, my brother is gone for a bit, but I am in charge of my nephew and Matt for the time being. I don't care for anyone getting special treatment. I can see how that would get old," Mason said. "Boys, what do you have to say for yourselves?"
Tyler's face got red.
"We didn't do anything! That little perv, Jeremy Gilbert, had naked pics of Vicki. I tried to teach him a lesson at the Grill, but Stefan stopped me. Uncle Mason, come on, don't take his side," Tyler whined.
"If you have a problem with another student, tell an adult. You aren't the judge and jury of this town, Tyler," Mason reprimanded. "You are showing a real lack of respect for adults here. Coach, do they still use the paddle here? I know that used to be a real effective form of behavioral therapy for the teams."
"Paddle?" Matt squeaked, looking at Tyler in shock.
"Nah, they got rid of that years ago," Coach Wineman said. "Luckily, for these two."
"Maybe not. If I punish them here, can they have another chance?" Mason asked.
Coach grinned, "Well, it's a bit unusual, but I don't have a problem with it. The old 'enforcer' is gone, but I might be able to find you something to use. Hang on."
The coach left the room and Tyler tried to reason with Mason.
"Uncle Mason, come on. You can't be considering this! Not here at school!" Tyler begged.
"Oh, this is exactly what you need," Mason fired back. "Do you want to stay on the baseball team or not?"
Matt looked up, saying, "Yeah, we do. Right, Ty?"
"Yes, I guess," Tyler said grimly.
The coach came back with an old ping pong paddle.
"I found this in the rec room," Coach Wineman said. "It's not as sturdy, but should do the trick on the bare ass. I'll just be on my way. And boys, I will be finding Mr. Williams tomorrow to make sure you apologized. You are lucky your uncle is willing to do this."
Mason and the coach stood hands again and Mason gripped the paddle in his right hand.
"Call me anytime," Mason said. "I'm not afraid to go old school when it comes to this crap. I'm sorry for my nephew. I hope you see a big change in his attitude. Matt, too."
"Oh, I'm sure I will. Make yourself at home, Mr. Lockwood. And keep the paddle," Coach Wineman said, grabbing his keys. He eyed Mason's biceps and almost felt sorry for the boys for a moment, but then recalled all the attitude he dealt with on a daily basis.
Mason turned and locked the door.
"Okay, boys, pants down. Matt, you are first. Tyler, face the wall," Mason said with authority.
Tyler guffawed, "You aren't really going to spank us, are you? I thought you were just saying that!"
Mason gave Tyler a hard look.
"Oh, I am, young man. Now, pants down and face the corner," Mason repeated.
Matt stood up and looked at Tyler for direction, but Tyler seemed frozen for a second.
"But Uncle Mason!" Tyler argued, standing and looking at the door. The blinds were closed in case anyone wandered in, but this was crazy. Mason couldn't be serious about this.
"You know, on second thought, Tyler go take a shower. Use the coach's, you have five minutes. Go now, I'm timing you," Mason said, indicating his watch. "I can also take this paddle home and whoop you again there. I'm running out of patience."
Tyler's eyes got wide and he disappeared into the coach's private bathroom.
Matt felt a moment's relief as Tyler left, but it quickly abated as Mason sat in Tyler's chair.
"Take down your pants, Matt. If I have to do it, you'll regret it," Mason threatened.
Matt gulped, "It's just I never...no one ever..."
"You never got your tail warmed up, huh? It's okay. It's gonna hurt, but then I promise you that you'll start behaving better. And my nephew won't draw you into his crap so easily," Mason intoned.
"This wasn't Ty's fault!" Matt defended.
"I somehow doubt that," Mason said. He reached over and unbuttoned Matt's tight white practice pants. Matt grabbed his hands and tried to stop him. Mason turned Matt and swatted him hard several times across his bottom.
Smack! Smack! Smack!
"Owwwww," Matt yelped, trying to wiggle away.
"Put your hands on your head," Mason ordered, ready to spank Matt again if he disobeyed. But Matt finally did as Mason asked and looked over Mason's shoulder as he felt his pants worked down to his knees. He wore the regulation jock strap under his uniform, so at least he had that.
Mason pulled Matt down over his left knee and Matt's hands were supporting himself on the cold linoleum floor. Matt stared at the ugly green squares as Mason looped his left over Matt's legs, pinning him.
Matt turned his head when he heard the shower start in the adjoining room. God, he hoped Tyler didn't walk in and see this.
"What are you-?" Matt tried, but was cut off by a loud whack.
Crack!
Matt brought his large hand down on Matt's white bottom hard. It was framed by the straps of the jock strap, giving him a nice target area.
Crack!
Crack!
Matt opened his mouth to howl, but found it turning into a sob. The smacks were coming hard and fast and Matt couldn't move.
Crack!
Crack!
Mason didn't speak but worked on turning Matt's cheeks a nice uniform pink color before picking up the ping pong paddle.
"Now that you are warmed up good, I think it's time for your paddling. You will learn some respect for folks," Mason lectured as he rubbed the rough, red side of the paddle against Matt's behind.
"I-I learned! I l-learned, you d-don't have to-," Matt attempted, but Mason slammed the paddle down on Matt's right cheek firmly.
Pop!
Matt wailed and raised his head at feeling the sharp smack on his already burning buns. He had never been spanked like this, for sure. It hurt more than he could have imagined.
Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
Mason followed up with four more swift cracks on the same cheek before switching to spank Matt's left side.
Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
"Owwww!" Matt cried. "S-Stoppppp!"
Matt then began to swat from side to side, down a little lower each time. He eyed the clock. Matt had only been over his lap about two minutes, but his bottom was already rosy and sore looking. Mason flipped the paddle to the smooth black side.
"Our old housekeeper used to paddle me like this when she was babysitting," Mason chirped. "I know it smarts, but believe me, it's ten times better than the old 'enforcer' our coaches used to use. Now, are you going to apologize to that teacher tomorrow?" Mason asked, patting Matt's butt with the paddle lightly at first, then a tad harder.
Pat. Pat. Whack. Whack.
"YY-es!" Matt exclaimed. "I w-will, just don't p-paddle anymore."
"Oh, buddy, we're not nearly done," Matt said, swatting Matt's sit spots, over and over again.
Pop!
Pop!
Pop!
Pop!
Mason heard the shower shut off, and slowed Matt's spanking even more.
Whap! Whap!
Whap! Whap!
Matt's sobs and the loud pops were the only sound in the room for the next minute.
"I'mmmmm sorrrrry," Matt wept, as Mason nodded.
"Those are the magic words, but we have a bit to deal with since I had to pull down your pants," Mason shared. He gave Matt a long flurry of lighter spanks that turned both cheeks red.
Pop!
Pop!
Pop!
Pop!
Pop!
Tyler came out of the coach's office.
"Drop the towel and get into the corner. We're almost done here," Mason directed his nephew.
Tyler obeyed and awkwardly faced the wall, trying not to look back as Matt got the last bit of his paddling.
Pop!
Pop!
Pop!
Pop!
"Okay, we're done," Mason said quietly, unsure if Matt could even understand him. The boys was sobbing even as Mason laid down the paddle and rubbed his back. The white of the straps made Matt's spanked bottom look even redder, but Mason knew that he'd be fine in a few hours, if not sooner.
"Sorrrry," Matt sniffled. Mason pulled him up and opened his arms. Matt buried his teary face into Mason's plaid shirt and let Mason stroke his head as Matt frantically rubbed out the sting in his bottom.
"You're okay, buddy. All forgiven. Now, go change places with Tyler until you are calm. Then, you shower," Mason said gently. He didn't want Matt immediately left alone, but the boys stunk after practice. The shower was not optional.
Tyler turned and grabbed his friend a wad of tissues.
"Sorry, Matt," Tyler said, swiping back his wet hair. He glanced at Matt's red behind that Matt couldn't take his hand off of, even as he wiped at his nose with one hand.
"Bring the towel," Mason said. "I don't aim to get all wet myself."
Mason grabbed Tyler's hand and guided him over his lap after putting the damp towel down.
"You been here before," Mason chuckled. "Now, I expect you to stay over my lap. This ain't your first rodeo, got it?"
"Yes, sir," Tyler grumbled. "I just hope this is the last time. Getting pretty big to be over your lap."
"You seem to fit fine," Mason quipped, raising his right leg by putting his boot on the chair rung to gain better access to Tyler's rump. He somehow knew his nephew was more guilty in this matter and didn't intend to go easy on him.
"I'm gonna start with my hand for a minute," Mason shared. "Keep your hands on the floor. It's gonna smart on a wet rear end, I'm sure."
Tyler grunted and braced himself.
Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap!
Mason began swatting Tyler's damp behind firmly, causing the boy to kick out and moan softly.
Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap!
"Matt, you go and take a shower. Five minutes," Mason called out when Matt seemed to have stopped crying.
Tyler's bottom was now blotchy with handprints.
Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap!
"Ah, oh, ow," Tyler exclaimed as he wiggled his rear helplessly. Mason's hand was large and hard. Tyler couldn't imagine that the little paddle would be too much worse.
Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap!
"I came here to pick you guys up and meet your coach. How embarrassing to have caught you two acting up and bullying kids. That's not right, kiddo," Mason said, slapping down across both of Tyler's cheeks.
Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap!
"Owwwww! Shit, sorry," Tyler blurted out. He couldn't help but tap his feet into the cold floor.
Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap!
Tyler squirmed and reached back with his right hand to protect his steaming bottom.
Mason pinned his hand and picked up the paddle.
"Okay, time for the paddle," Mason said. "Think about this the next time you want to be disrespectful to anyone."
Pop!
Pop!
Pop!
Pop!
Pop!
Unlike Matt, Mason paddled in a random pattern all over Tyler's bottom and the top of his thighs. Tyler, not being able to anticipate the spanks, just lifted his head and howled. It hurt ten times more than Mason's hand somehow.
Pop!
Pop!
Pop!
Pop!
Pop!
Mason paddled Tyler harder and faster, but stopped to check the boy's seared bottom. He slowed and applied a series of hard cracks to his crease area as Tyler wailed louder. Then, he abruptly stopped.
"Anything you want to say?" Mason asked, spinning to the smooth side and tapping Tyler's reddened cheeks.
"SS-Sorry?" Tyler gulped after catching his breath.
Pop!
Pop!
Pop!
Pop!
Pop!
Pop!
"Are you sorry or are you asking me if you should be sorry?" Mason asked after laying down six more searing swats.
"I-I am SORRRYYYY," Tyler screamed, kicking his toes into the floor and trying to thrash off Mason's lap. But Mason anticipated the movement and held Tyler's arm tighter.
"Good. Then, after this, you are forgiven," Mason said.
POP! POP! POP! POP! WHACK!
Tyler raised his head and shrieked as he got the last paddle swats in the very center of his rump.
Matt came out of the shower and saw Tyler's face red and streaked with tears and mucus. He noticed his backside was as red and swollen as his own felt, though it looked like Tyler got a worse spanking.
"Get dressed, Matt," Mason ordered, as he put down the paddle and rubbed Tyler's back.
Matt unlocked the door and went to get his street clothes.
"I love you, buddy. I know it seems crazy, but I did that for your own good," Mason comforted. "You can't be an asshole like that anymore. People look up to us. You gotta be better and you can be."
Tyler wept louder, but Mason let go of his arm and stood him up. Tyler stomped and tried to rub his behind as he sobbed.
"I know it hurts," Mason said, putting his arms around Tyler. He kissed the top of his wet head and held him a moment. "You're gonna be okay."
"I won't sit ever again," Tyler said in a pout.
Mason laughed and hugged him tighter.
"I know it feels that way. Now, go get dressed so we can get the hell out of here. I wanted to talk to you guys and I have a friend coming over later," Mason informed him, giving Tyler a little swat on his crimson bottom.
"Owww," Tyler gasped. "That hurt!"
"Oh, you kids down know what a real licking is. I am going to be taking this paddle with me, though. I'm going to be checking in with your coach real soon and I want to hear good things," Mason said, balling up the towel and taking it to toss in the laundry bin in the locker room.
Matt had carefully eased up his pants and was slowly putting on his shoes, standing.
"Need some help?" Mason asked.
Matt smiled wryly, "Yeah, please. I don't want to sit on that bench..."
"I got ya," Mason said, leaning over to help Matt. "How about we go through a drive-thru on the way home. I think you two need a damn nap."
"I'm not gonna argue about that," Tyler agreed. "Or anything ever again!"
Matt and Mason both laughed.
"Care to make a bet?" Matt asked.
"I would if you had any money," Tyler shot back with a smile. Mason knew after that, that the boys would be okay.
No matter what.
