Page 6 of Game Plan

We entered the classroom and sat in the fifth row, our usual spots.

“We missed you at the game Saturday. It was the best football I have ever seen. The new quarterback makes Benjamin, the usual starting QB, look like an amateur. I can attest the new guy possessed the swagger his predecessor lacked. I attended two games with my brother last fall, and both times, I thought I was in love with Benjamin—figuratively speaking—so you can imagine. But, hey, I’m telling you, his replacement is the real deal.”

“Sorry. I had some schoolwork to tackle since I have a meet next weekend and I’m working three nights this week. Raincheck, okay?” Not that I had any intention to sit in these bleachers unless Jayden was the one playing on that turf, and even then, I wasn’t sure I could find it in me to watch him play against Mason on his own field if it ever were a possibility.

“Sure, girl. No worries.”

“Did you talk to Shawn last night?”

My friend shook her head. “Nah. I wasn’t feeling it. He keeps saying he wants to be with me and that we are exclusive, but it’s like he’s afraid of commitment. I’ve given up trying to understand him. He might be cute and sweet and perfect for me on paper, but if being with me makes him so uncomfortable, he should redefine his relationship standards.”

“Gosh, I knew a boy just like that…commitment-phobe.” I propped my elbows up on the table and rested my chin on my closed fists, staring at nothing, as images of Mason and me played before my eyes. The difference was that Mason was ready to change his ways and commit to me, and I was the one who’d freaked out.

“You have that look. An ex?”

A long sigh passed my lips. “No. I wish. We never got to that point. We really shared something special, but he was not the kind of guy who committed. He wanted to…huh…commit, I mean, but only to me. I wasn’t sure he could... Stuff happened, and in the end, it pulled us apart.” I shook my head. “Enough talking about guys. Do you have any plans next weekend?”

“My brother is visiting. If this thing with Jayden blows up, I should totally play matchmaker for you two. I’m sure you’d get along great.”

“I have no idea where Jay and I stand. He says he needs some space to think, but I can tell it’s not really what he wants either. If we break up, I’m not interested in dating again… Not for a while at least.” I paused, then blurted out, “Why are boys so complicated?”

“Tell me about it.”

Our professor walked in, and the chatter died. I listened to her talk about communication skills in a business setting, taking notes and nodding as she spoke.

After a moment, I got lost in my daydream again. More flashbacks of my time with Mason Pierce infiltrated my mind. Why did Donovan have to mention him earlier? I was doing just fine not thinking about him. And now, it’d been hours, and he was all my mind kept circling back to.

Time seemed to slow down.

The class lasted forever.

The more I tried to evade my thoughts, the more persistent they became.

The guys on my left whispered something about a football game.

One of the girls in front of me said her name was Paige when she raised her hand to ask a question.

A guy in the front row made a joke, and the professor called him on it. “Mr. Pierce, no need to play jokester in my class. You better⁠—”

I blocked his voice.

My heart leaped to my throat, and I got lightheaded for a second.

Football. Paige. Mr. Pierce.

Life had a sick sense of humor.

My past was catching up with me, and there was no place to hide.

No matter how much I’d tried to leave my old life behind when I left Elk River, it seemed like everyone and everything had decided my plan sucked and that I should never forget.

Why did I have a feeling I was about to be proven right?

With a small shake of my head, I tried to convince myself I was wrong, but deep down, I was aware I couldn’t run away from my past forever.

4

Say you’re fucking sorry. Now