Chapter 36
If you play like you do on the field, maybe we’re in trouble then
“What’s all this?” Mason asked when he arrived home on Sunday night.
Amber and I had spent the last hour prepping snacks and getting everything ready for tonight.
“I thought you girls said we were having a double date or something,” Rutherford asked, dropping his bag at his feet and removing his jacket, his attention drifting to the living room where we had set up some snacks and a selection of board games.
“We thought it would be fun to have a night in.” Amber poured wine into glasses and offered me one as the guys went to grab cans of beer from the fridge.
Mason kicked his shoes off, removed his jacket, and closed in on me, kissing my lips.
“I like the idea. I’m exhausted after our training session.
We went all in, and my body is sore everywhere.
I’ll need a very thorough massage later tonight.
” He winked, and I was sure I blushed fire-engine red. “Did Jules and Shawn cancel?”
Mason was about to meet my friend and her boyfriend for the first time tonight. We had decided, on our way back from Elk River, it would be fun for the six of us to hang out together since we were all coupled up.
“Nah. They’re just running late. Amber and I prepped some appetizers in the meantime, but Shawn and Jules are taking care of the Chinese food.
Shawn used to work at Wok ‘N’ Egg Roll as a delivery driver last year and says he has access to special deals and can get us secret items that are not on the menu. ”
Rutherford rubbed his hands together. “Sweet, I love the sound of that. I’m a sucker for Chinese food. Where are the guys?”
“Library. Bailey has a test on Wednesday, and Craig promised he would help him study. He has a presentation to prep for too, so they left about forty-five minutes ago. They should be back around ten.”
“These two. They’re like a couple,” Rutherford said.
Mason exhaled. “I’m just happy my brother has a friend. The last few months have been tough enough on him. I don’t want him locking himself in his room all the time, brooding. He needs to start living again outside of the team.”
Rutherford nodded and added nothing. I had no clue what he knew about Craig’s situation, so I remained silent.
“C’mon, guys. What do you fancy tonight?” Amber asked, changing the subject. I thanked her with a quick gaze in her direction, and she winked. “We have Monopoly, Scrabble, Snakes and Ladders—”
“Snakes and Ladders? What are we, kindergartners?” her boyfriend asked, with an amused expression.
“We were thinking of playing the eighteen-plus version. Each snake comes with a shot glass. I know we all have class early tomorrow morning, and you guys don’t usually drink during the season, but it still could be fun—for a night.
Anyway, we can also play charades or Draw It, Guess It.
We’ve already got a bowl full of words and expressions we can use for either game. ”
I looked between our boyfriends. “We could team up as couples. Or boys against girls.”
“Let’s do couples,” Mason said. “I wanna see how well Mel and I can communicate without words.”
“Fine by me,” Rutherford said. “Amber and I are great at this.”
Mason beamed. “Man, you’ve never played against us. Mel and I, we’re the real deal.”
“If you play like you do on the field, maybe we’re in trouble, then.” Rutherford lifted a giggling Amber up and lowered her onto the kitchen counter, kissing her and murmuring sweet nothings into her ear.
“Wanna go upstairs while we—” The doorbell rang, cutting Mason off mid-sentence.
“Jules and Shawn.” I clasped my hands together. “I’ll get the door.” The scent of Chinese food filled the entryway as soon as I let them in.
Mason neared us, shook their hands after I made the introductions, and took the paper bag from Shawn.
Amber jumped down from the counter when we all walked into the kitchen, her cheeks bright pink and her eyes full of mischief.
“Amber, Devin, these are my friends Jules and Shawn. Jules, Shawn, this is Devin Rutherford, one of Mase’s teammates and roommates, and Amber, his girlfriend.”
“Wine?” Amber asked Jules.
She exchanged a glance with Shawn. “It’s okay, Ju, I’ll drive.”
The reality of the situation seemed to have dawned on Amber because she looked at Jules with a guilty expression. “I’m sorry, I forgot about the whole driving under the influence thing. For what it’s worth, I think your DUI designated driver service is a great idea. I can’t wait to try it.”
Jules took her hand in hers. “It’s fine. No need to be sorry. It’s all good. Shawn and I just never drink at the same time. It’s one of our rules.”
“It’s one of ours too,” Amber said. “Anyway, we have soda and juice if you prefer. Since Mel and I are spending the night here, I didn’t think it through when I offered you booze.”
“Amber, I would love a glass of wine.” Jules smiled, and the tension in Amber’s back vanished.
“Awesome. Let me pour you some.”
The guys started discussing something that had gone down on campus during Thanksgiving, and it felt like they’d all known one another for more than five minutes.
“To us.” Jules raised her glass, and Amber and I clinked it. “To new friends who, thank God, aren’t single.”
“Cheers,” Amber and I replied at the same time.
Jules elbowed me. “Mel, I think Mason is a better match for you than Jett.”
I grinned, unable to help myself. “I think so too.”
“I agree,” Amber added. “You guys are so cute together.”
A bit later, we moved to the living room and laid the food out on the old chest-turned-coffee-table and sat on the floor around it.
“What are we playing?” Shawn asked.
“We were thinking Draw It, Guess It first,” Amber explained, serving herself a generous portion of Kung Pao chicken and licking her fingers after she picked up a piece she’d dropped on the table.
“Studs against chicks?” he asked.
Rutherford refilled our wineglasses. “Couples for now, but we can do lads against lasses for charades. Does that work with you guys?” His eyes traveled between Jules and Shawn.
They both nodded.
“Get ready to lose, fuckers,” Mason said in a teasing tone.
Shawn snorted. “You have no chance, quarterback.”
My boyfriend’s face lit up. He’d always loved a challenge. “Bring it on, newbie.”
Shawn chuckled, and their hands met across the table in a firm handshake.
Jules leaned closer, grinning like a fool. “I can already tell tonight will be so much fun.”
I mirrored her expression. “Oh yes. I think we’ve just created a new tradition.”
She raised her glass. “I’ll drink to that.”
And so did I.
“Melinda, table six is ready,” George called as I reached the bar to grab my next order.
“On it.”
Lola’s was bustling with people tonight, and the contagious energy rubbed off on me.
We had hosted an open mic night earlier, which meant I hadn’t had a second to myself.
I wasn’t complaining, because the tips were generous and the customers cheerful.
I wanted to surprise Mason on his belated birthday celebration, so a little extra money would be useful.
We had postponed it to next Saturday after I’d switched my shift with another server so I would have the full weekend off.
I weaved through the patrons toward table six only to face a bunch of jocks, including Evan Nichols, Mason’s teammate, who had acted like a dickhead every time we’d bumped into each other so far this semester.
I firmed my back and tried to raise walls around me when he glared my way. Right now, he looked more annoyed than threatening. Nothing like the guy who’d cornered me in the hallway to warn me about keeping my mouth shut not so long ago.
I plastered the fakest smile I could manage on my lips and walked toward the party of seven. “Hey, guys. Welcome to Lola’s. Can I start you with anything to drink?”
A guy on my right wolf-whistled, but Nichols shut him up with a murderous gaze. “She’s Pierce’s chick, man. If you care about your dick, stay away. Flirting with her will get you into trouble, believe me.”
I couldn’t tell if he actually had come to my defense or if he was bitching about Mason and me in a not-so-subtle way.
He turned to address me. “And you, ma jolie, listen carefully. I don’t say it often, but I much prefer when you keep that dirty mouth of yours shut. Understood?”
I sighed. I had no intention to play any bully games with him tonight.
Shaking my head, I tried to erase the last ten seconds and waited with the tip of my pen pressing against my notepad. “So, drinks anyone?”
As if they recalled I was their server, they threw their orders at me all at once, and I struggled to keep up with their many demands.
“Good. Any appetizers?”
Once again, they all spoke at the same time, ordering baskets of chicken wings, nachos, and mini burgers with appetizer-sized poutine, a French-Canadian dish made of cheese curds, gravy, and fries, a nod to Lola’s—George’s deceased wife—roots.
“I’ll be back with your drinks.” I turned on my heel and made my way toward the bar when I came face to face with the man sending my heart into overdrive every time he stood too close—and even when we were apart. “Mase, what are you doing here?”
“Meeting with a few of the guys. Have you seen Craig?”
“No.” I pointed behind me. “Your friends are back there. Want me to order you anything? Your usual?”
“That’d be great. With a garden salad and a dozen wings, please.”
“Noted. Anything to drink?”
“That thing Amber was drinking the other night. It was pretty good.” He traced the length of my arms with his fingertips, sending shivers rippling through me. The best kind. “Love you.”
I moved to the tips of my toes and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, whispering, “Love you too.”
He smacked my ass, and I hurried toward the bar to punch in the orders, giddiness invading me. I love the idea Mason was here, watching me. Instead of making me feel self-conscious like it used to, it made me feel sexy, knowing he couldn’t tear his eyes away.
The rest of the night passed in a blur. My feet hurt as the last patrons exited Lola’s, and George locked the door behind them.
A few of the staff were sitting in a booth at the back, enjoying drinks. Mason was sitting at the bar, chatting with Barry.
“You still here?” I asked, pressing my side against his until he wrapped his arm around me.
“Yeah. I was waiting for you. Wanna stay and have a nightcap with everyone?”
“Not tonight, I’m exhausted. I wanna go home.”
“Your place or mine?”
“I would much prefer lying in your bed than mine right now.”
Mason pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “I would much prefer you in my bed too.”
I yawned. “Gimme five. I’ll be right back.”
Barry pushed a glass of lemonade across the counter toward me. “Here. You need to hydrate. This was one hell of a night.”
“Thanks.” I gulped it down in two swallows. I hadn’t realized how parched I’d been.
“The kitchen has some mini burgers left. Want me to get you some?” the old barman asked.
I clasped my hands together. “Yes, please. That would be terrific.”
“You too?” he asked my boyfriend.
“I’ll never let food go to waste.”
“Mel, go get your stuff from the back,” Barry said. “I’ll grab them for you. To go?”
“Yes, please,” Mason said before I had time to reply.
I glanced at him over my shoulder as I padded away. Things had been really good between us lately. Other than the drug scare, we’d been locked in our love bubble most of the time. Even my swimming had improved since we’d started dating.
I sighed as I turned the corner of the hallway leading to the staff break room and offered a silent prayer that things would run smoothly for us now that we had overcome all the challenges life had put on our road so far.
Mason and I deserved a breather. A much-needed pause.
Was it possible, or was it wishful thinking?
I decided to silence the voices in my head who told me to be careful. I didn’t need their pessimism right now—or ever. What did they know anyway, right?