Page 50 of Game Plan

“I didn’t think of you.”

“You didn’t not think of me either, Shepard. Otherwise...” He breathed out. “For the record, I’ve missed you too.”

“Yeah, right. Who’s feeding the other lies now? I bet I was never on your mind when you were busy fucking half the population of Elk River before moving to the town of Crestwood, Michigan.”

“Wow, that’s your argument? While you were in a committed relationship, I was supposed to be a saint? Isn’t that a bit rich coming from you?”

“It’s not… I’m not…”

“Tell me, Mel. Have you seen me with any other girl since you broke things off with me last January?”

“I didn’t break shit. We were never a couple, to begin with.”

“I think you’re aware you’re lying again. So, tell me. Have you seen me with anyone since we were together before Winter Break almost a year ago?”

“I-I don’t know. I didn’t keep tabs on you while I was dating Jayden. Why would I have cared anyway?”

“Jesus, what happened to the sweet girl I used to know? It’s like you’re made of Kevlar nowadays. Why can’t you just be straightforward with me?”

“Okay, let’s see. So, Mason, tell me. How many girls do you have on call right now?” I was being mean, but I couldn’t help it. I didn’t want to lose face in front of the only boy I had ever loved—or let him crack any more of my shield.

“Girls? With an S? Mel, are you serious right now?”

It was my turn to shrug. “That’s how you rolled back in the day, no?” Why was I acting like a brat? I didn’t like this version of me right now. I didn’t even recognize myself.

He burst into a loud laugh, unfazed by my unasked-for behavior. “First, there are no girls on call, with or without an S. Second, I haven’t hooked up with anyone in over a year.”

I’m sure my face must have betrayed my shock. I pressed my lips together, trying to keep my expression neutral. “No need to play it down for me, Mase. You’re free to live your life the way you want. You owe me nothing.”

He took another step forward, invading my personal space. “Is this what you think? That you dumped me, and I acted out? Because, for all I know, even if we weren’t talking for the last few months, we walked the same high school hallways. I haven’t been linked to anyone in ages. You can’t deny it. Even the rumor mills would have confirmed it.”

“Yeah, right. I’m not some innocent teenager anymore. I don’t care about your extracurricular activities.”

“Well, I do, and the only place my dick has been in over a year is inside my fist.” His eyes seemed to add, Every time I thought about you, and I refrained from reacting.

I did the math in my head, and I was sure he could tell the moment I realized his last hookup was from before we had started spending all our free time together. “Stop. Ugh. Disgusting. Spare me the details of your anatomy’s whereabouts. That’s where I draw the line. Anyway, delete this conversation from your brain.”

“Sorry to disappoint, but I can’t. I wanna know what made you think I was sleeping around in the last year?”

“I heard girls talking about it.”

“Who? Which girls?”

“I’m shutting up now. This conversation has already taken too much of my time. I’m tired and wet, and I wanna go home.”

Mere inches separated our bodies, and I unfolded my arms to avoid us touching.

“Which girls, Mel?”

“Girls on the cheerleading team. Tanya’s minions.” I waved a hand like I didn’t care and was over it. “It’s not important… It was a long time ago. Who cares, right?”

“I do. A whole fucking lot. Because it’s a load of bullshit. I haven’t even as much as kissed a girl in over a year.” He clenched his jaw, and I could see the anger bubbling up inside him.

“Okay. No need to rehash the past. What is done is done. By the way, I would have never tried to change who you were, Mase. I loved you and what we had, and I knew the risk of getting attached to you.”

“You love me?”

“Loved you. Past tense. My crush is over, Mase. It was a stupid high schooler thing. I know better now.” My pulse kicked up at my admission. I could barely breathe, too stunned by the words leaving my mouth. Mason would know I had loved him and that I had pushed him away and pretended he never meant anything to me. That I had lied when I said he was better off without me when he admitted his feelings to me. We had lost some valuable time together when we could have been by each other’s side all along, and he could have helped me through my struggles like he had asked me to.