Page 100 of Kickoff

“Come on, Shepard. Even though I wish nothing more than to have you here all night, I’ll walk you out.” I shifted from under her weight and moved to my feet, holding out a hand for her to grab.

She sighed. “Fine.”

Standing up, the full length of her body pressed against mine, and once again, I couldn’t control how it reacted to the contact.

Melinda watched me with wide eyes. “Mase?”

I cleared my throat and shrugged because it was basic biology, and I had no idea how to respond to this.

Flames licked the inside of my body. My cells vibrated. I cupped the back of her head with a hand and leaned in to kiss her cheek. “Let’s get you home.”

We stood on Melinda’s front porch, and I was about to leave when she grasped my hand. “Mase? I feel it too, you know. Just gimme a little more time.”

“No pressure. I’m not going anywhere. Night, Mel.”

“Good night, Mason.”

I watched Melinda as she annihilated Emery Mellencamp, her rival from McKinley High, at the 100m backstroke event the next afternoon. She whipped her goggles off to look at the scoreboard, her victory grin splitting her face in two.

She skimmed the bleachers where her parents and I sat, and I offered her a thumbs-up when our stares collided.

You did it, I mouthed. You beat her ass.

Melinda chuckled behind her closed fist, her eyes illuminating the entire pool area, pride evident on her features.

“She’s really talented,” Mrs. Shepard said in an admiring tone. “She’s been wanting to win against this girl all semester.”

“Yeah.” I nodded. “I’m sure her victory is really sweet right now.”

Mr. Shepard nodded. “She works hard. It makes me happy when she sees the results of her efforts.”

I was glad to know that the football team was not the only one having an obsession with beating their rivals. Today’s meet was taking place at McKinley High, so a victory against their best swimmer was no doubt even more satisfying.

Back home, we ditched the Shepards’ dinner invitation and decided to hang out at the park at the end of our street.

My phone rang when we stepped on the turf. The name Peters, a guy on the team, flashed on the screen.

“Hey, Cap. Throwing a rager tonight. Interested?”

“Tonight?”

“Yep. Nine. We have the whole basement to ourselves. My sister Jenny will be there too with some of her friends. Sheldon and Jax are already in.”

“Gimme a sec.” I blocked the speaker with my hand to address Melinda. “Peters is throwing a party. Wanna go?”

“Huh… Would you be mad if I said I’d prefer a laid-back night? You can go, though. I’m sure all your friends will be there.”

“I’ll pass. I’m not in the mood to be social tonight. I prefer hanging out with you.”

We exchanged timid smiles.

“Hey, Pete. Not coming. I already have plans. Raincheck, okay?”

“Sure, Cap.”

Melinda and I climbed on each side of the teeter-totter, and every time I pushed up with my legs, Melinda only went halfway down because she wasn’t heavy enough to balance my weight.

“Name something that grosses you out?” she asked, suspended in the air.