Page 44 of Game Plan

“We can drive her back to the dorms,” Mason offered, pushing his hands into his pockets and appearing less cocksure of himself in that instant. “It’s no big deal. We live a few minutes away. It’s literally on our way.”

My attention traveled between the three guys.

Craig shrugged. “It’s fine. If it’s what you wish, Mel.”

“You guys would be saviors,” Jett said. “I gotta go back to my place. It’s at least a forty-minute drive, and I gotta wake up early tomorrow morning.” He spun to face me. “Would it be okay with you? It’s kinda late anyway, so I’d just drive you back and take off. What do you say?”

Jett was lucky he was Jules’s brother because otherwise, I might have said some things he wouldn’t have enjoyed.

“Sure. No problem.”

He pressed a kiss to my cheek. “You are the best. Jules was right. You’re a keeper.”

“Tell me about it,” Mason chimed in.

I roasted him with my stare. Gone was the momentary ceasefire between us. If looks could kill, he’d be buried six feet under right now.

“It’s settled then. I’ll call you next time I’m in town. We could go out again. I had the best time tonight.”

Yeah, with everyone else but me, I wanted to add. Instead, I gave him a noncommittal shrug and said, “Yeah, sure. Drive safe.”

He left without another word, and I stood there, flanked by two boys from my past who I still couldn’t believe had succeeded at raiding my date.

“Who’s up for ice cream?” Mason asked.

I faced him and punched his broad chest. “Don’t you think you’ve already done enough for one night?”

He captured my hands in his large ones. “I saved the night, baby. You should be thankful and reel in your claws.”

“Save the night? Are you high right now? You made Jett more interested in you than in me. It was pretty egotistical. Even for you.”

Mason shook his head. “Tsk-tsk. I didn’t make him do anything. I just proved to you who he really was. In my book, I saved you lots of dinners and afternoons that would have ended up with the same result: you dumping his ass. Say thank you next time and be grateful.”

“Ah, I can’t believe you right now. I think I’m gonna walk to my place. Night, guys.”

Craig hurried after me when I stepped on the sidewalk. “Mel. Wait.”

I turned toward him. “Why? What do you want? You haven’t talked to me in months, and you crashed my date tonight, and now you wanna what? Have a conversation? Isn’t it a bit hypocritical, coming from you?” I folded my arms over my chest, trying to fight the shivers the late-night breeze sent tearing through me.

He must have noticed it because he removed his letterman jacket and placed it over my shoulders.

“Thanks,” I muttered.

He pushed his hands into his jeans pockets, looking so much like his younger brother right now. “I’m sorry, okay. None of this was about you. I’m fucked in the head these days. Since Paige…it-it’s been hard. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to get over her one day. I miss her…so freaking much. Every second of the day and the night. When Mason invited me to go out tonight, I had no idea what his plans were. I swear. Then I saw you with that guy, and I probably saw the same thing Mase did. You might not have noticed, but you looked miserable. As if you were trying to find a way out. I’m sorry if we crashed your date. I’ve seen you on campus and at Lola’s, and I should have been a friend to you instead of a stranger. I reckon I’m not the only heartbroken one here. You don’t smile as much anymore. And when you do, it’s not genuine because it doesn’t reach your eyes.” Yeah, I had noticed I was fake smiling a little too often lately. He rocked on his heels. “I have no idea if Clarke did a number on you when you two broke up or if it’s something else, but the Mel I’ve gotten to know over the years is missing. You should try to get her back. And please, don’t go out with entitled jerks because you think it’s what you’re supposed to do.”

“Jett is not a⁠—”

“There are good guys out there who would hang the stars for you.”

“Guys like Mase?” My voice trembled as I said his name. A flood of memories we had shared filled my mind. When he held my hand earlier, it all came back in a tidal wave. The good, the amazing, the ugly. My heart woke up from its state of permanent sleep. Butterflies danced in my belly, and I hated each second as much as I craved them.

“I’m not saying he’s the one or that he’s perfect. Mase can be a lot when he puts his mind to it. One thing is for sure, though. He’s never stopped loving you. And he would never hurt you or put you last. That I would bet my life on. We don’t really talk these days... I’m going through some shit of my own, and I prefer to be alone most of the time. My brother has a good head on his shoulders and a heart the size of Texas. Don’t date him if you don’t want to, and don’t befriend him if you don’t feel like it. It’s your choice. But please, give him a chance to explain himself. He’s come a long way since his high school glory days. Talk to him…or rather…listen to him. Whatever you prefer. That’s all I’m going to say on the matter. Now come on, you’re freezing, and it’s late. I’m sure you have classes in the morning—I do too. Let’s get you home.”

He linked his arm with mine.

“Are we good?” Craig asked after he gestured to his brother to join us.

Mason’s back rested against the exterior brick wall of the restaurant, and he scrolled through his phone, waiting for us and trying to give us some privacy.