Chapter 10 #3
“Bailey is a goofball. He looks like he doesn’t take anything seriously and is always ready to party but has been mostly locked in his room since he moved in.
He’s struggling with dyslexia, so I think he likes the peace and quiet when he does schoolwork.
He doesn’t really confide in us about it, but I know Craig helps him prep for tests.
They kinda have their own bromance going on.
Bailey has a hamster, Seven—his jersey number—and that little creature brings out his caring side, a big contrast to his persona on the field.
He always walks around the place with that thing perched on his shoulder. ”
“Ohmygod, how cute. I’d love to see that.” I clamped my mouth shut when I realized I’d spoken too quickly.
Beside me, Mason tensed for a fraction of a second before he relaxed his shoulders. “You’re always welcome to visit.”
The air around us crackled with something I couldn’t name. It swept away the easy camaraderie we’d been experiencing so far tonight. I racked my brain, trying to come up with a new topic of discussion, but I was so tired that it felt like my mind had gone on a break.
“Can I ask you a question?” Mason asked after a few minutes of silence
“It depends…”
He rubbed his hands together and looked like he was fishing some courage from deep inside of him.
“How’s your health?” He halted on the sidewalk and spun to face me.
“I’m not sure if we’re allowed to talk about this, but I’ve been worried, and I kinda need to know where you stand and how you’re doing on that front.
And please, don’t lie to me. Not this time… ”
I cast my eyes down, not sure where to start, before bringing my gaze up to his. “I’m doing great. It’s not a lie. I know you don’t wanna hear about him…”
“Don’t say his name.” Mason spoke under his breath.
“But he helped me a lot through this. He didn’t know me before that episode, since we met after I had hit rock bottom. From there, I built myself back up little by little. It took a while, but I’m finally in a good place. I really am.”
Mason nodded once. “Good. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you. How’s training?”
We resumed our stroll.
“Great. I’m killing it so far.”
“Do you still plan to swim for the Olympic team when you’re out of college?”
I shook my head. “Nope. Not anymore. I’m retiring my swimsuit after I graduate. I don’t need the extra pressure in my life. It would have been fun, but I’ve decided to prioritize my mental health. Also, I look forward to having a regular schedule with some free time and my weekends and nights off.”
“Wow, Mel, I’m amazed by you…by how far you’ve come in less than a year.”
My cheeks warmed up. “Thanks. How about you? Still planning to play for the big league after you graduate?”
“Yep. It’s still the plan. The only plan. Coach says if I keep playing like this, I have a real chance. We’ve lost a few games, but my stats are good. I’m consistent on the field, and I can read the game like never before. I feel strong, mentally and physically.”
“And how is your shoulder?”
He rotated it as if to check. “Stiff sometimes, but the physical therapist is helping me loosen it up with a new exercise routine. It’s better than it has been since the accident, so I’m hopeful it will fully heal at some point.
It hasn’t been a bother so far this year, so”—he shrugged—“all good, I guess.”
We stopped when we reached my dorm building.
“Thanks for walking me,” I told Mason. “It was fun catching up.”
He hesitated for a beat. “We could make it our thing. I could walk you—or drive you—on the nights you work late.”
I stepped across a piece of broken pavement. “Like I already said, I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”
He moved closer, towering over me and forcing me to tip my head back to meet his gaze. “Why? Is there a rule somewhere that says we can’t be friends again?”
I swallowed, feeling the heat from his gaze washing through me and about to take me hostage.
“No.” The single word sounded weak when it passed my lips, so I coughed and tried again.
“No. I don’t think there is one, but it would mean I would rely on you, and I don’t want that.
Don’t do it, okay? I relish my newfound independence, and it would only complicate the friendship we’ve just reestablished tonight.
We can’t go back to what we were last year. ”
“Maybe not, but we can go forward, no?”
I chose to leave it at that, still not in the mood to get into an argument. “Night, Mase.” I turned to leave, but he grabbed my hand before I could get too far, the pads of his fingers electrifying my skin and the warmth of his palm bleeding through mine.
“I was serious when I offered to train together again earlier. If you’re interested…we could…I don’t know… Think about it.”
I watched him over my shoulder. “Okay. I will.” This wasn’t a No, but it wasn’t a Yes either.
We stared at each other for what felt like hours before he blinked and broke the contact. “Good night, Mel.” He let go of my hand, and I unlocked the door with my access card before slipping inside the building.
Once the door clicked after me, I swiveled to wave at him, but Mason was already on his way, shoulders slumped forward, and his hands hidden in the front pocket of his hoodie.
I watched him disappear at the end of the parking lot and wondered why it felt like he had just stolen another piece of my heart without my permission.