Page 158 of Game Plan

She snapped out of whatever trance she had fallen into. “Mase? Oh, you’re back.”

Did she not realize I’d been standing here?

“The pain is so bad. I’m not sure it’s normal.”

“What do you mean?”

She pressed her hands to her lower belly. “Ouch. It’s like my insides are being ripped apart.”

“Appendicitis bad?”

“Huh…not really. It doesn’t feel the same. I’m passing a lot of clots. A lot lot. It’s like period cramps, only worse.”

“We should go back to the ER. I knew they should have never let you leave earlier. I should have insisted you spend the night.”

“Hey, don’t worry, okay? I’m sure it’s nothing.”

I waved a hand in front of her. “It’s not nothing, Mel. It could be serious.”

“You think?” She looked confused for a fraction of a second but chased the expression away just as quickly. “Huh…I’ll clean up and join you in a minute.”

“Need help?”

“Nah. I think I can manage on my own.”

“Call me if you need me. I’ll…I’ll be right over there.” I pointed to my bedroom with my thumb. I enveloped the doorknob with my hand, hesitating about leaving her all alone, just in case something was really wrong. For a fleeting moment, my attention drifted to the trash can, and I remembered the stash I had hidden behind it minutes ago. Now wasn’t the time to focus on that. I’d deal with it later. Once Melinda was out of danger. Once I was certain there was no more risk to her health.

I half-closed the door behind me and let out the breath I was holding. Was life mind-fucking with me? Was this payback for nearly crossing a line? Right then, I promised myself I would never shoot drugs again if it meant Melinda would be safe and sound. Yeah, I’d rather lose my football career than lose her—my right shoulder be damned.

42

Miracles happen, love. Never lose faith

I ended the call, tears rushing to my eyes as I collapsed onto the edge of the bed, releasing my device. Sobs rushed out as I tried to suck a full breath in. This couldn’t be. There had to be a mistake. Deep down, I wasn’t so sure what the truth was anymore. This phone call could change my life forever.

More tears filled my eyes, blurring my vision as I replayed the words in my head.

It had been almost ten days since the incident with Evan Nichols. The bruise coloring my abdomen was barely visible now, only a faded greenish veil remaining. Mason’s face and ribs had healed too. We were supposed to put that episode of our lives behind us once and for all and move forward. Instead, it was hanging above our heads, ready to expose secrets we were both ignorant about. Secrets I doubted I was strong enough to face or acknowledge if it meant threatening the future of our relationship—the one we fought so hard and so long for.

From Mason’s bedroom, I heard the front door open and shut downstairs and sat upright. A big part of me wished it were Craig or any of their roommates because I wasn’t ready to face him with the truth, but my gut told me otherwise. Would I ever be able to expose the ugly truth to the boy I loved if that truth existed and meant hurting him? I choked on a sob, wishing I could rewind my life ten minutes back and never answer that stupid phone call. Now that I had doubts, there was no faking it anymore. Something was wrong, I could tell.

Seconds later, Mason walked into the room, proving my instincts were right when I’d heard activity downstairs. An aura of contagious energy followed him, and I’d be the one putting a dent in his happiness instead of basking in it.

“Hey, baby. I thought we could drive to Elk River for dinner. Mom called and invited us over. I’m sorry I’m late. Coach put us through more drills since we’re facing the Bobcats next, before the playoffs. If we leave now, we’ll be back tonight at eleven tops.” He closed in on me, his body heat transferring to my back. From where he stood, I knew he couldn’t see my face—my eyes, probably bloodshot, or the despair I was sure was etched across my features. No doubt mascara streaks were tracing my cheeks, black rivulets exposing everything I was trying to hide.

He rested his large hands on my shoulders from behind, trailing his lips along the nape of my neck. I inhaled a shaky breath, trying to keep my freaking out under control.

“And I was thinking… Don’t say no until you hear me out, okay?”

I nodded, the words locked in my throat feeling like shards of glass.

“Since classes officially ended yesterday, and you’ll be working until Christmas, and I’ll be buried in training and practice if we move forward in the playoffs, and we’ll both be like super busy, I was thinking you could move here full time. Until classes resume in January, to be more specific. This way, we could drive back and forth between Crestwood and Elk River to see our families but still have our own love bubble here, away from everyone else. The guys are flying home for Christmas and will be back, depending on whether we advance to the quarterfinals or not. And Craig will be working for a software engineering company back home and driving here only when necessary. He won’t be staying here. He said the experience will be beneficial for his degree and keep his mind off things he’s not ready to deal with. So, it would mostly be you and me, alone. And Naked Tuesday. Will you think about it? Please.”

I nodded a few times, swallowing the giant mass lodged in my throat, trying to sound normal and not as if the world—my world—had come crashing down on me minutes ago. “How was your day?” I blew out a breath, trying to keep my fragile composure intact.

“What’s going on?” Mason grasped my shoulders and spun me around. Even without looking at him, I could hear the gears in his brain working.

The air wrapped around us, tight and stifling, suffocating me.