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“Do you want to know what I think?”

Mason’s eyes shift to meet mine. He nods.

I put my hand to his face. “I’m really amazed at not only how together you are, Mason Clark, but what an incredible man you’ve become.”

Mason’s Adam’s apple moves. I continue. “You have been locked in a toxic, verbally abusive relationship since you were a little boy. You could have easily turned out to be a horrible human being. Just as toxic as your father. But you are the opposite.”

His eyes blink a few times, and I know he’s fighting back tears.

“Your dad is the one missing out. Because you aren’t just an investment. You’re his son. And not only are you one of the best race car drivers in the world, but you are also one of the elite few who has sat behind the wheel of an F1 car. You’ve been on the podium consistently this year. But put all of that aside? It’s the man you are that should make your dad so proud. You’re a good person. A good human being. You’re positive. You see the potential in those around you. You want to make people laugh and be happy. You’re caring. I could go on and on, but that is the man your dad should value. You. As a person. Because that is who I see. And I feel so proud and lucky to be with you.”

Mason blinks rapidly again. His eyes grow red with the unshed tears.

“I mean it, Mason. Everyone who knows you loves you. You don’t have to prove anything to him. You don’t,” I say.

He pulls me closer and drops his head down onto my shoulder. I sink my hand into his hair, stroking it, and let him absorb my words. I fight back my own tears as I hold him. I know he won’t magically stand up to his dad in one day, but between my words and Andrew’s guidance, I hope he can get there.

Because nobody deserves to be treated like this.

We sit still for a few moments, and I work up my courage to ask something else. “What’s your relationship with your mum like?”

Mason remains on my shoulder. “Complicated in a different way. I’m closer to her than I am to my dad, and whilst I know she loves me, Mum likes the attention that my career has given her. She lost a lot of her friends and social standing in the divorce. But being Mason Clark’s mum on social media? It’s given her new life. And endorsement deals.”

Understanding hits me. I’ve always thought her posts are amusing, but now I remember seeing most of them were linked to a product and with the hashtag “adpartner.” She’s figured out how to leverage her son’s fame for clicks, likes, and sponsorship advantages. That alone is problematic, but I can’t get past her letting her husband treat her son like he does.

“She’s using you,” I say softly.

Mason lifts his head so he can look at me. “No, really, it’s okay.”

It’s not, but I let that go. For now. “Why didn’t she ever interfere with how your dad treated you?” I ask.

He exhales. “She chose to be ignorant. Mum didn’t go to the track when I had races far away. She let Dad handle it. I think she told herself because I wasn’t showing myself to be upset, I was fine.”

“That’s not right, Mason, and you know it.”

“Come on, give me something to work with here,” he says, and for the first time tonight, I see the beginning of a smile form on his mouth.

“What about Ruby?” I ask.

Now his face brightens. “Ruby is awesome. I told her she can join me on the circuit after graduation next year if she wants to. As long as she doesn’t date another driver.”

“Now you know she’s going to hook up with a driver!”

Mason makes a disgusted face, and I lean over and kiss him. “So Ruby is good to you?” I ask, cupping his chin with my hand.

“Very good to me. We’re close. I think you’d like her a lot, actually.”

“She must be like you, then,” I say. “Because I like you a lot.”

Mason kisses me again, slowly and sweetly. I break the kiss and move back so I can see him. “Thank you for sharing this with me,” I say quietly. “I know it wasn’t easy.”

He reaches for my hand. “It’s you. I was able to do it because it was you. But the whole reason I shoved you away … I just didn’t want you to ever be embarrassed of me. Of how I haven’t been able to stand up to my dad. I thought you might lose respect for me.”

“No, no, no,” I say firmly, shaking my head. “I admire you even more now that I know how you had to grow up. You’ve done a remarkable job of not letting it shape you in the worst way possible. It’s like you’ve vowed to be the exact opposite of your parents.”

“I have,” Mason confesses.

“And no more breaking up with me,” I tease.