Page 77 of Game Plan

“Nothing. Why would you assume something is going on?” Gone was the humor from his features. His jaw was locked tight, and his eyes were darker than usual. “Are you accusing me of something?”

I flinched at his harsh tone and raised my hands in surrender between us. “Whoa. I did no such thing. I just asked if you were all right. You’ve been jittery lately. It’s unlike you. I was just trying to be a good friend and see if there was anything you wanted to talk about. No need to flip out.” I folded my arms over my chest. “Maybe I should just go home. You clearly need your rest.” I moved to stand, but he held me back with an arm across my stomach.

“Don’t.” He sighed, shaking his head and looking away for a moment. “I’m sorry, okay? Like I said earlier, playing college football is way more stressful than playing in high school. The stakes are much higher, and I feel the pressure getting to me. We lost two games, and Coach berated me at practice this afternoon in front of everyone when I missed a pass after the hit. He said I should get my head in the game, which is a bunch of nonsense. I’ve been giving my three hundred percent since the first time I stepped on that field. It’s stupid.” He tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. “Don’t leave. My anger has nothing to do with you. I shouldn’t have reacted like I did. You’re the one person I don’t wanna fight with. Are we okay?”

I nodded twice and sank back into the couch. “Yeah. Thanks for telling me. Want me to go?”

“Nah. Never.” He opened his arm. “Come here.”

I hesitated for a beat but ended up tucked into the crook of his arm. Mason pressed play, and for the next hour and a half, we stayed like that, our attention focused on the screen, but our hearts banging against our ribcages in symphony. When he combed my hair back with his fingers, I pressed myself closer against him, relishing the sensations awakening in the depths of me.

We were finishing up the dishes when we heard the front door open and banter filled the entryway. I recognized one of the voices as Craig’s.

“Come on,” Mason said, tugging at my hand. “Let’s go upstairs before they see us.”

“You don’t wanna stay here and say hi?”

“Later. I don’t feel super social right now.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Have you decided if you’re spending the night?” he asked me once we were locked in his bedroom.

“I don’t know.”

“Wanna listen to some music while you make up your mind?”

“Sure. Anything good you’re listening to these days?”

“Check this.” Mason slipped an earbud in my ear and pressed play. “It’s my new training playlist. Made it a few weeks ago.”

“Ohmygod. You like ‘If It Had Been You.” I’m obsessed with this song. I always listen to it on repeat before a meet. It’s my go-to song. Also, I’m such a huge fan of Sun Ray.”

“If you like it, listen to this one.”

He switched the song, and soon, an upbeat melody filled my ear. “Who’s that?”

“Same band. Earlier album. It’s called ‘I Really Don’t Mind.’ It’s not as popular, but it’s addictive once you listen to it a few times.”

I drummed the intoxicating beat on my thigh with my fingers, and Mason and I exchanged a smile.

“You look better than earlier. Your cheeks are pink now, and your eyes look less glassy,” he said once I gave him his earbud back.

“I do feel better. I told you it was just a virus. I should go home so you don’t catch it. It wasn’t thoughtful of me to come here and infect you guys.”

“I invited you, and I won’t let a little virus scare me or prevent me from spending time with you.”

“Oh, but you are afraid of a horror movie that is not real. It makes total sense.”

His fingers reached my sides, and he tickled me. “Don’t use my fears against me, Shepard. I don’t care you’re sick. It’s not okay.”

He tickled me some more, and I couldn’t breathe, laughing so hard it hurt my ribs. I lowered myself onto my back on the bed, kicking my legs. Tears of happiness shone in my eyes. “Mase, re-re-release me.”

“Nah. I haven’t heard you laugh like this in ages. I missed the sound. I’ll tickle you for the rest of time if it means you keep laughing.”

“No. Please. I’ll pee my-my-my pants if you don’t stop.”

“Is that a challenge?”