Page 111 of Game Plan

“Ugh, you guys are gross,” Titan said from behind us.

Mason and I broke apart, laughing. He pulled me against him again, and I leaned into his strong body, resting in the crook of his arm.

“Sorry,” I told the little boy. “We’ll try to behave ourselves.”

He looked behind us. “Where’s Craig? He should be here by now.”

“Here’s the thing, man. I wanted to impress my girl.” Mason cupped his mouth with a hand and lowered his voice. “I thought seeing you rock that stage would help me gain some boyfriend points. Craig forfeited his ticket so Mel could come. I hope it’s okay with you.”

Titan bumped his fist with his cousin’s. “She’ll fall in love with you, Mason.” His eyes shimmered. “Or maybe she’ll fall in love with me too.”

Mason snickered. “We’ll see, man. Come on, you should go get ready.”

“My mom and dad are already seated. They told me to tell you to join them when you arrive. They saved you two seats.”

We said our goodbyes, and Mason pushed me against the wall of a dark hallway, kissing me. “What you said back there”—he jerked his head toward the entrance—“it pleased me. A whole lot. I’ve been waiting forever for you to realize we were it, love.”

“Love?”

He shrugged. “It fits you.”

“Then kiss me,” I murmured. “Kiss me hard, Mason Pierce.”

An ache I had never experienced before pooled in the deepest part of me, and I opened up for him, fisting the front of his sweater to make sure he wouldn’t vanish as his tongue tangoed with mine.

After a minute, we eased apart to catch a breath, hearts still racing, and pressed our foreheads together.

“Fuck, Mel. Now I just wanna get out of here.”

I cradled his face with my hands. “You have me, Mase. I’m not going anywhere. As long as you’ll have me, I’m staying right by your side.”

“Mase, how did you know?” We stood side by side on the sidewalk in front of a little Thai bistro I loved. He couldn’t have known it was my favorite restaurant in town. Unless… “Who told you?”

His face reddened. “I may have an informer.”

“Ohmygod, you’re terrible. You really have someone spying on me. Who? Do I know him? Or her?”

“Promise you won’t get mad if I tell you.”

“No promises,” I said, unable to stop grinning like a fool.

“Mel, you can’t kill a fly. I doubt you could really get mad. After all, I’m way too charming.”

I backhanded his chest. “Talk.”

“Leila. She’s friends with Cassidy. I happen to know her. She worked at the athletic facility.”

I stepped back, my humor dying down. I knew how Mason used to get what he wanted from girls back in high school. He must have sensed my hesitation because he rushed to add, “No. Never. It’s not like that. She has a girlfriend. The last thing she wants is a boyfriend. Believe me. Some guy on the team tried to get into her pants and ended up with a shiner. Her car broke down one day, and I gave her a ride. When I realized you both stayed at the same dorm, I asked if she knew you. That’s all. Don’t hate her. I gave her tickets to our games in exchange for info.”

“Oh…” I asked a question that had been taking center stage in my mind for a while now. “That night with Jett. Coincidence or not?”

“Leila.”

“When you walked into my sociology class, how did you know my schedule?”

“Leila.”

“She must really like to watch you play.” I raised an eyebrow and gave him a pointed look.