Page 98 of Game Plan

“But what?”

“I’m scared. He’s experienced in everything I am not. He used to be a serial dater back in high school. He has a great future ahead of him. I’m inconsequential in the big picture. I don’t want us to get together only for him to realize I wasn’t worth all the trouble or to regret it later because he’s too busy, and a relationship is messing up all his plans or stealing all his focus. Whatever.”

“Sorry to be blunt, but I don’t buy it. It’s a shitty excuse.”

“Pardon me?”

“You heard me, girl. This doesn’t describe the guy who came here to declare his love to you dressed as a stupid hot dog, knowing everyone would make fun of him.”

“It’s not just that. Mason has never had a girlfriend before. My heart would never survive if it didn’t work out between us. I’ve loved him for years, but somehow, it’s safer to have a crush from afar than to open up about my doubts and insecurities. Loving him put pressure on me the last time, and I ended up counting calories and starving myself. I can’t risk it. My mental health should come first. Like I said, it’s complicated.”

“All I am hearing is you finding excuses instead of giving him a chance.”

“It’s not that.”

“Yes, it is.” He shoved his textbook, notebook, and pen inside his bag. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

I looked around me. People were busy taking notes, while I had no idea what today’s lesson was about. “We can’t.”

“It’s college. Sure, we can. Maybe it’s time you stop playing by the rules and start listening to your heart for once, girl. You’re pretty badass in a pool, and you deserve to be badass in love too.” He took my bag from my grip.

“Where are we going?”

“To drill some sense into your brain. And show you loving this guy could be beneficial for your mental health, not risking it.”

I said nothing as I followed my friend out of the room.

“Here comes the stupidest girl the world has ever seen,” one girl singsonged in a cruel manner when we passed her.

“What a waste,” another added.

“That’s what being an idiot looks like.”

Donovan tugged at my hand. “Don’t listen to them. They’re just jealous. Hell, even I am jealous. The guy is quite a catch.”

“Well, look where it has gotten me so far. I just ruined everything between us.”

“We’ll fix this, girl. We’ll come up with a plan. I have your back. It’s not too late to do the right thing and un-mess the mess.”

25

People doing it in public are exhibitionists

Donovan and I sat at a table at the far back of Hot Shot with steaming mugs of hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream, before us—his treat—and brownie pieces—my treat. The smell of warm baked croissants and freshly brewed coffee filled the air and tickled my nostrils.

“Now, you will tell me what’s going on with Football Hottie Number One. Start from the beginning. Earlier, I sensed some unfinished business between you two. Go on, I’m all ears.” He waved a hand, waiting for me to say something.

“Gosh.” I dipped a finger into the fluffy white delicacy in front of me and sucked my digit clean. Back in high school, I would have been caught dead before indulging in the sugary cream. Now, it felt like comfort food instead of empty calories. Not that I wasn’t tempted to order water at first when we got here, but then I had psyched myself up and reminded myself that version of me lived in the past. I was allowed to enjoy the moment without obsessing over the details.

“It all began when I moved from New Jersey to Michigan, days before starting seventh grade…”

I told him about that day when Mason and I became instant friends, the friendly date we had at his house that night, the humiliation that followed when he claimed me in front of all the kids at school two days later, and the way I had pushed him away so people wouldn’t point fingers at me.

I told him about Paige dating his brother and Mason and I not acknowledging each other for the longest time, his extra-curricular activities, Nathan Bellevue’s assault, our renewed friendship the day I got sick and how he watched over me that night before saving my life.

Donovan stared at me with big eyes, running a hand through his short blond hair. “Okay. Stop right there. You’re telling me he missed practice, drove you home, made you soup from scratch, and you didn’t pick up on the hints?”

I shrugged. “In my defense, I was really sick. Sure, it was confusing, but Mason had always been confusing to me. It wasn’t unusual for him to act out of character.”