Page 130 of Game Plan

“Thanks, man.”

“I’ve missed you.” He greeted Craig next before turning to me. “Mellllll.” He moved closer to kiss my cheek. “Look at you. You’re even hotter than I recall.”

Mason grabbed my hand and knitted our fingers together, calming my jittery heart. I had no idea why I was nervous to be here, but I believed it was because I had ignored most of the people present tonight after my whole life had been shattered last year. They were Mason’s friends for the most part, and I didn’t feel like I was allowed to hang out with them once our friendship fell apart.

Never releasing my hand, we stepped further inside, and more people from our high school days rushed toward us, welcoming us and bumping fists with the guys standing tall on each side of me.

Jackson hugged me, something he’d never done before. “It was about time you two realized you were a perfect match.” He lowered his voice and spoke into my ear. “You can use the same bedroom as usual. I’ve already reserved it for you and Mase.”

I felt hotter by the second. We’d only been here two minutes. Had word already gotten out that Mason and I were together? From the way he looked at me and held my hand, I bet it was hard to miss.

A group of girls I used to spend time with came to talk to me. I was relieved that no one seemed to be holding a grudge against me for how I’d acted last winter. More friends of Mason and Craig came to say hi. It was weird being back here, but not necessarily bad weird…just surprisingly weird.

Sheldon neared me. “Mel. I heard the news. Can I call you Miss Quarterback now?” Sheldon and I had been friendly in high school, but I didn’t recall us having a full one-on-one conversation.

A loud laugh parted my lips. “Please, no. It sounds terrible.”

He punched his chest, pretending to be hurt. “How about Miss Number Twenty-Two?”

Twenty-two had always been Mason’s jersey number, his birth date.

I shook my head. “Nah. Can’t we stick with Mel?”

“Too boring.” His face lit up. “I have it. What about—and no, you can’t refuse this time—Double M? It sounds badass.” He bobbed his head once. “Yeah, that’s the one.”

“Double M? Sheld, it sounds like a giant bra size.”

“Oh, very big tits. You’re right. Even more perfect.”

“No.” I hid my face with a hand for a second. “It’s not. Not at all.”

Mason interrupted us. “What are you two laughing about?” He slid one arm lazily around my waist, and I leaned into him.

“Sheldon thinks⁠—”

His friend cut me off. “I’ve finally come up with a cute pet name for you two.”

Mason watched me with a fearful expression. “Why do I sense it’s gonna be terrible?”

“Don’t worry, Captain, I made it good. From now on, we’ll refer to you two as Double M.”

Mason grimaced. “Double M? It sounds like a big-ass bra size, Sheld. Not super appealing.”

I stared at Mason. “That’s exactly what I said.”

“Cap, if it refers to tits, it means it’s the one.”

“Jesus, Sheld. Find something else. Or better, find nothing else.” He clapped his friend’s shoulder as if to say, You can do it, before pulling me away and leading me toward the stairs. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

I climbed the first step before turning to face him, so our eyes were aligned. “Mase, what is this? And why is everyone acting so weird? Your friends are acting like we’re best friends or something.” I twisted curls of his hair around my fingers.

He moaned, leaning into my touch. “They’re just happy to see us. They know how much you mean to me. Anyway, aren’t they always weird?”

“I guess.”

He kissed the tip of my nose. “Don’t worry, okay? It’s all good. Follow me.”

Locked in the bedroom upstairs, he backed me against the door and stepped closer until his front meshed with mine and kissed me like he needed a taste of me to stay alive.