Page 119 of Kickoff

“Huh, but why did they ask you to tell me?”

I shrugged and then swept a hand down myself. “I’m irresistible. Maybe your coach needs to take a peek at my exceptional handsomeness to get through her day.”

Melinda elbowed me in the ribs. “Careful with the ego, Mase. If it inflates and grows too much, you won’t be able to play ball anymore because it’ll be in the way.”

“Never. I’m Mason Pierce, remember.”

“Gosh, you sound just like Chase.”

“What can I say? We spend too much time together, and it must have rubbed off on me.”

She shook her head, her smile widening. “You don’t need Chase to be cocky, Mr. Football.”

“That’s why you can’t resist me. Want to stop to grab your jacket from your locker?”

“No, it’s fine. It’s just a two-minute walk. And anyway, you’re wearing your letterman jacket inside like it’s a sweater. So, if I’m cold, I’ll steal it.”

“No need to steal it. I’ll give it to you. All you gotta do is ask. And for what it’s worth, I like the idea that if you receive an offer, I’ll be the first person you tell it to.”

Her fingers squeezed mine, bringing me peace and calming the crazy thundering of my heart.

“I kinda like it too.”

We both halted when the door of Coach Vivien’s office opened and Paige exited, glancing at her feet instead of us. “What are you doing here?” Melinda asked with a tightness in her voice that wasn’t present before. Oh god, this meeting wasn’t about college. Melinda realized it too because the blood drained from her face, and it appeared like she had seen a ghost. I pressed a palm to the small of her back, trying to inject her with some courage. The thundering of my heart turned erratic. This meeting was a setup. It screamed bad news.

“Paige?” Melinda’s gaze bored into her best friend, whose guilty expression was impossible to miss.

Tears brightened Paige’s eyes, and her cheeks were flushed. “I’m sorry, Mel. I really am.”

“You are sorry?”

“What is she talking about?” I asked, not sure I was understanding the scene unfolding before my eyes.

“What did you do?” Melinda asked her friend, her tone accusatory.

“What needed to be done. You know I love you, right? And I will always love you. All I want is for you to get better.”

Melinda clenched her fists, her entire body tensing. “What—? How⁠—?”

“Paige? Mel?” I looked back and forth between them both. “Can someone tell me what’s going on right now?”

Before either of them could say something, Coach Vivien exited her office and motioned for Melinda to enter. “Melinda. Please, come on in and take a seat.”

Instead of going in, Melinda stood there, as if she was rooted to the tiled floor, sorrow flooding her face.

“Melinda,” Coach repeated, more insistent this time.

“Go. I’ll be right here when you’re done,” I murmured in her ear.

She nodded, casting a glance down, and let go of my hand. She plodded forward in silence, her head hanging low as if she was on death row.

Melinda jerked her arm away when Paige tried to grip it. “Mel? Please don’t be mad.”

“Don’t. Don’t talk to me” were the only words she told Paige before the office door shut after her.

I turned to my brother’s girlfriend. “What’s this?” I asked, pointing to the closed door with my chin. “What did you do? What did Mel do?”

Paige stepped away until her back hit the wall behind her and dropped down to the floor, folding her knees and burying her face in her crossed arms. “I did something terrible. I broke my best friend’s trust.” Sobs rocked her. “She’ll hate me for this, Mase. I may have destroyed our friendship.”