Page 72 of Game Plan

“The football player neighbor?”

“Yep. We went to grab some food. Not that it concerns her or anyone else, for that matter.”

“I know. I was just curious because you said nothing about meeting a guy.”

“Well, now you know.” My tone was a bit harsh. My relationship with Mason was no one’s business, and I had hoped it could escape the rumor mills this time around. “Sorry. I just hate people gossiping about me or my whereabouts. I’ve had my share of nasty girls saying mean things about me in the past.”

Jules rubbed my arm. “I get it. It was hard after the accident. All the side-glances, whispers, and fake narratives. It hurt. Anyway, Tessa is a nosy bitch sometimes. For what it’s worth, I don’t care if you date my brother or some other guy, or no one at all, as long as you’re happy, okay?”

“Thanks.” We reached the building, and I held the door open so Jules and a few more students could breeze in. “Wanna grab lunch later?” I asked her once we entered the classroom, took our usual seats, and discarded our bags under the table.

“I can’t. We have a meeting for HADB.”

“They agreed with the name?”

“Yes. We should have a logo by the end of the week. A graphic design student offered to make one for free as part of his capstone project. It’s a win-win situation.”

The professor walked in and positioned himself on the podium in front of the class before opening his laptop. “Good morning, folks.”

A knock on the door woke me up on Friday afternoon. I rubbed the sleep off my eyes with my sleeves, adjusted the oversized hoodie I was wearing over black leggings, and tied my hair in some sort of knot. I probably looked out of it, but in my defense, I’d been napping for the last four hours.

I cleared my throat and called, “One sec” toward the door.

Cassidy would use her key, so it was probably either Donovan or Jules checking up on me. I’d sent them both text messages this morning so they wouldn’t look for me on their way to class.

On wobbly legs, I unlocked the door and opened it. I was pretty sure my jaw hit the floor. On the other side stood Mason, dressed in a tight nurse uniform over a pair of jeans, a paper bag in one hand and his letterman jacket in the other. I blinked twice, praying I was hallucinating, but no. He stood on the threshold, looking ridiculous in his teddy-bear-printed scrubs. Low chatter resonated behind him, and I spotted a few of my floormates staring and giggling at his attire. I fisted his top and pulled him inside, shutting the door after him.

“What’s this?” I waved my hand in front of him. “Halloween was last week, Mase.”

He shrugged. “I heard you were sick.”

“And you are…” I wanted him to admit it out loud.

“I brought back Nurse Pierce. I’ve decided I should really look the part this time, though. I saw how you were ogling me the last time, so I’m trying to look like the professional that I am this time around.”

I snickered behind a closed fist. “Teddy bears? Really?”

“That’s all they had left in my size.”

“Your size? It’s at least two sizes too small.”

He flicked his wrist. “Who cares? I thought you’d appreciate a colorful uniform.” He wiggled his eyebrows, and I ended up laughing.

“You look…”

“Handsome? Attractive? Hot? Fantastic?”

“I was about to say ridiculous, but whatever pleases you.”

“Tsk-tsk, Mel. Don’t judge your caregiver too quickly. You wouldn’t want me to insert that thermometer into the wrong hole by accident, would you?”

“Ugh, Mase. You’re not sticking a thermometer in me. Never. I told you once, and I haven’t changed my mind about it.”

He smirked. “I wasn’t going to. I brought you soup, though.”

“Did you make it?”

A small shrug. “I sure did.”