Page 137 of Game Plan

“I never said that. She’s the only one who matters. I have no intention of ever letting her go. I would marry her today if it were only up to me.”

“You just turned eighteen, man. You have plenty of time to plan your future together. For now, focus on yourself. No more drugs. If you even think about touching them again, I’ll be the one turning you in, damn the consequences.”

“What the hell. I would never rat on you. I would forever have your back, no matter what.”

“I guess I’m not you. I won’t let you spoil your life. And for the record⁠—”

I walked away, not feeling good about eavesdropping on their sibling confessions any longer. I stopped by the bathroom down the hallway to splash cold water on my face, trying to erase all traces of my tears—and the mascara stains on my cheeks.

Dragging my feet, I moved toward the staircase. A whiff of garlic bread and tomato sauce filled the air, and muffled laughter resonated from the living room. Before I reached the last step, I straightened my top, plastered a smile on my face, and got ready to face Mason and Craig’s roommates, praying they wouldn’t quiz me about our dinner plans.

When I returned upstairs almost an hour later with a tray filled with plates of pasta, garlic bread, and fresh-squeezed lemonade I’d just made, Craig was nowhere to be found. Most of my anger had dissipated by now.

Mason was busy reading, his legs stretched on his bed and his back pressed to the headboard. He was still dressed in his khaki pants and cream sherpa-lined sweater vest.

“Are we okay?” he asked after I placed the tray on the desk.

“You tell me.”

“Yeah. We are.”

“Mase, I’ll always be there for you. No matter what life throws at us.”

“Same.” He discarded the book beside him and opened his arms. “Come here.”

Without needing much convincing, I nestled myself in his arms. He wrapped them around me, making me his prisoner. Nothing else felt as good as one of Mason’s hugs.

“I love you. I’m sorry for hurting you.”

I dropped a kiss on his chin. “I love you too.”

“You made dinner?”

“Nah. Bailey did. He said we could have some. I just pressed lemons to make lemonade to kill time.”

“Smells good, but I still wanna take you out. Where do you wanna go?”

“Is Craig joining us?”

“Nah. He asked for a rain check. Not sure I’m his favorite person right now.”

“If it helps a little, you’re still mine.”

“Awesome. Let’s drive around and grab takeout. I’m not feeling very social right now, and I kinda crave having you all to myself. These boots are the real deal, Shepard. You should wear them more often. I get horny just watching you wearing them.”

“Good to know.” I switched position to look at him. “You sure you don’t want a night in. I can keep the boots, and we can do something else.”

“Nah. Let’s go.” He jumped to his feet and held out his hand. I slipped my palm into his, and nothing had ever felt more right.

A tiny voice in my head kept telling me I should be careful, but I decided to ignore it. At least for now.

36

If you play like you do on the field, maybe we’re in trouble then

“What’s all this?” Mason asked when he arrived home on Sunday night.

Amber and I had spent the last hour prepping snacks and getting everything ready for tonight.