Page 35 of Game Plan

“Great. I’m killing it so far.”

“Do you still plan to swim for the Olympic team when you’re out of college?”

I shook my head. “Nope. Not anymore. I’m retiring my swimsuit after I graduate. I don’t need the extra pressure in my life. It would have been fun, but I’ve decided to prioritize my mental health. Also, I look forward to having a regular schedule with some free time and my weekends and nights off.”

“Wow, Mel, I’m amazed by you…by how far you’ve come in less than a year.”

My cheeks warmed up. “Thanks. How about you? Still planning to play for the big league after you graduate?”

“Yep. It’s still the plan. The only plan. Coach says if I keep playing like this, I have a real chance. We’ve lost a few games, but my stats are good. I’m consistent on the field, and I can read the game like never before. I feel strong, mentally and physically.”

“And how is your shoulder?”

He rotated it as if to check. “Stiff sometimes, but the physical therapist is helping me loosen it up with a new exercise routine. It’s better than it has been since the accident, so I’m hopeful it will fully heal at some point. It hasn’t been a bother so far this year, so”—he shrugged—“all good, I guess.”

We stopped when we reached my dorm building.

“Thanks for walking me,” I told Mason. “It was fun catching up.”

He hesitated for a beat. “We could make it our thing. I could walk you—or drive you—on the nights you work late.”

I stepped across a piece of broken pavement. “Like I already said, I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”

He moved closer, towering over me and forcing me to tip my head back to meet his gaze. “Why? Is there a rule somewhere that says we can’t be friends again?”

I swallowed, feeling the heat from his gaze washing through me and about to take me hostage. “No.” The single word sounded weak when it passed my lips, so I coughed and tried again. “No. I don’t think there is one, but it would mean I would rely on you, and I don’t want that. Don’t do it, okay? I relish my newfound independence, and it would only complicate the friendship we’ve just reestablished tonight. We can’t go back to what we were last year.”

“Maybe not, but we can go forward, no?”

I chose to leave it at that, still not in the mood to get into an argument. “Night, Mase.” I turned to leave, but he grabbed my hand before I could get too far, the pads of his fingers electrifying my skin and the warmth of his palm bleeding through mine.

“I was serious when I offered to train together again earlier. If you’re interested…we could…I don’t know… Think about it.”

I watched him over my shoulder. “Okay. I will.” This wasn’t a No, but it wasn’t a Yes either.

We stared at each other for what felt like hours before he blinked and broke the contact. “Good night, Mel.” He let go of my hand, and I unlocked the door with my access card before slipping inside the building.

Once the door clicked after me, I swiveled to wave at him, but Mason was already on his way, shoulders slumped forward, and his hands hidden in the front pocket of his hoodie. I watched him disappear at the end of the parking lot and wondered why it felt like he had just stolen another piece of my heart without my permission.

11

Don’t get ahead of yourself. It’s just a date

“My brother told me he saw you again a few nights ago and that you guys are going on another date.” Jules pumped her fist. “I knew it. You guys are a perfect match.”

“Relax, girl. Don’t get ahead of yourself. It’s just a date.”

“No. A second date.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I rolled my eyes. “How are things with Shawn?”

“We talked last night. Like a super long and meaningful talk.”

“So?”

“He doesn’t want us to break up, and neither do I. He told me some disturbing stuff about his childhood, and some of it explains why commitment is a huge issue for him. Something to do with his biological mom. You were right. Anyway, I won’t push him to tell the world we’re dating, and he will try to do better and commit more to meet me halfway.”

“Are you happy about it?”