Chapter 4
My brother is weird, girl
From my position on the front deck, I had a partial view of the Shepards’ house.
I cracked my neck and stretched my glutes, positioning myself in the only spot where I had an unrestrained view of their porch.
Just in case Melinda magically appeared.
A line of mature trees between our houses made it almost impossible for me to see anything from here.
From my bedroom window or the back deck, I had a much better chance to catch movements next door because their angle made it perfect to spot any activity going on in their backyard.
Over the years, I had gazed multiple times at Melinda doing her late-night laps in the pool during the summer.
She was on the school swim team and was pretty amazing at it.
I knew college scouts had been watching her because I’d heard her father tell mine one day.
Crestwood University, a college a little over an hour’s drive from here, renowned for its academics and athletics programs, had shown interest, amongst others.
They had shown interest in Craig and me too.
Even offered us a full ride if we played football there next year.
My brother and Paige had their sights on Thompson University in Philadelphia, though.
Paige couldn’t wait to move away from our little town and live in a big city.
My brother was so head over heels in love with her that he would follow her anywhere.
Even if her college of choice ended up being in Antarctica.
It helped that Thompson U had one of the top football programs in the country, so both would thrive there.
Craig wasn’t compromising his future by following his girlfriend.
If Melinda got into Crestwood U, then I would attend too. Maybe I was pussy-whipped just like my brother. The only problem, in my scenario, was that the girl had no idea I would follow her to the opposite side of the globe if she asked me to.
I stretched my quads and then my arms over my head one last time, ready to go. With a sigh, I glanced at the house next door again, annoyed that I hadn’t spotted any signs of life there in the last ten minutes.
The front door behind me opened, and I almost expected it to be my brother when Paige joined me, a container full of freshly iced cupcakes in hand.
“Hey, Mase. You still here?”
I craned my neck to meet her eyes. Paige was tall enough—about five-eight, the same height as her best friend—but I towered over her by at least six inches. “Yeah. I just finished stretching. I was about to leave.” I gestured to the street with my chin.
With long dark blonde hair and gray irises, Paige was pretty.
Level-headed and smart, I understood why my brother was so enamored with her.
She and Melinda had been best friends since the first day of seventh grade.
The day I’d made an ass of myself at school—and humiliated her in the process—and my neighbor turned her back on me and killed whatever friendship we might have had.
Paige shoved her other hand into the pocket of her shorts and twisted her lips.
“What’s wrong? I know you well enough to tell when something is bothering you. Spill it.”
She remained silent.
“Is it Craig? What did the sucker do this time?” I lifted a brow, waiting for her to confirm. “Did he do something to piss you off?”
We both knew my brother was way too serious for his own good sometimes and would never do anything to anger his girlfriend.
Even though they were still in high school, Craig and Paige were that couple.
The one you looked up to. The one that made sense from day one.
The one you envied sometimes when you were alone in bed at night.
Yeah, they were disgustingly adorable together.
And meant to last. The forever kind of love.
The upturn of Paige’s lips hinted that she thought I was being funny, but the frown marring her forehead indicated there was still something bothering her.
“What’s wrong, babe? You know you can talk to me. Always.” I pulled her down to sit on a step next to me. She placed the container behind her on the deck.
Unlike my brother who hated my calling his girlfriend babe, Paige had never complained about it or asked me to drop it. She and I shared our own special bond.
“Did Craig confide in you about something?” she asked, staring straight into my eyes.
I would never be able to spin shit to her because she would call me out on it. “No. Why?”
She shrugged. “He’s been acting weird lately.”
I bumped her shoulder with mine. “My brother is weird, girl.” The sound of her chuckle warmed me up. “Nothing new there. It was about time you caught up with the fact.”
“He is not. He’s focused. Smart and talented. And he knows what he wants. I admire him.”
“Maybe. He’s still weird, though. He’s seventeen and acts like he’s thirty most of the time.
He should go out more, party more, enjoy his youth more.
Just sayin’. He gotta live before he’s all grown up and has a bunch of responsibilities.
I can’t be fun for the two of us forever.
He has to step in and do his part. There must exist a way for him to loosen up a bit.
Do you think they offer classes in college for that?
Maybe he should join a fraternity next year.
Those guys sure know how to enjoy all the perks college has to offer, no?
Have you thought about joining a sorority instead of staying in the dorms?
You and Craig would make a cute Kappa Gamma Whatever couple. ”
“Kappa Gamma Whatever couple? It sounds terrible.” She exploded in a fit of laugher.
“Anyway, for your information, not all of us want to get shitfaced or sleep around all the time, Mase…or join Greek life. And for your own good, please never move into a frat house. That would be a nightmare waiting to happen. Steer clear of drunk college kids and you’ll be all right.
By the way, in case you weren’t aware, one day, you’ll have to grow up too. ”
I lifted my hands between us as if to protect myself and put my most scared face on. “Me too? Are you serious?”
Paige bobbed her head, laughing.
“Oh geez, I should have been warned. Why is it that nobody ever told me? Moooooom?”
Paige planted a hand over my mouth, shutting me up.
My teasing died down, and she dropped her hand.
I rubbed my jaw. “Let’s see. I know he’s been stressed about college.
Since junior year, we’ve had all these scouts calling us and promising things.
Craig has been waiting for Thompson U to make an offer.
Hopefully, when they come to see him play later this fall, they’ll get their heads out of their asses, and it’ll be a done deal.
They already showed interest in me last year.
He should be next. He has those late-night meetings with Dad in his office once a week.
Neither of them will tell me what it’s about. ”
“They do? He didn’t tell me about them either. Has he told you he’s been re-thinking our college choice? Is it because of the tuition fees?” Alarm swirled in her eyes.
“Nah. Even if he doesn’t get that full-ride scholarship, our tuition fees are covered, no matter what.
Mom and Dad have made sure we’d both be good on that front before we even turned one.
It’s flattering to know your number one school also wants you, that’s all.
I’m sure it’s nothing. You two are fine? ”
“Yes.” She rubbed her palms on her thighs, looking nervous. “I-I think so. He’s being quiet about all this… He usually confides in me. This time, it’s like he’s keeping something from me, and it’s annoying me. Every time I broach the topic, he says I’m worrying for nothing.”
I draped an arm over her shoulders and drew her closer.
“Hey, Paige. My brother is madly in love with you. Never question his feelings, okay? No matter what’s going on in his head or in his life, I’m sure if it’s important, he’ll tell you.
Otherwise, he doesn’t wanna worry you with stuff he has no control over.
Don’t overthink it. I’ll keep an eye on him for you. Just in case.”
She sighed, and her shoulders sagged forward. “I know. You’re right. It’s probably nothing.” Her voice was soft, barely audible. I hated seeing the defeated expression shadowing her face. “Thanks…for keeping an eye out. I appreciate it.”
Knowing my brother, he would never hurt her on purpose or hide things from her unless he thought it was in her best interest. I meant everything I said. I would never lead Paige on either. I respected her too much to feed her bullshit.
And I wasn’t privy to Craig and Dad’s secret conversations either. I too felt left out sometimes.
“Mase…I’m worried about you too,” she said after a long stretch of silence. “You’ve been acting out more than usual in the last couple of weeks. I can tell when something is bothering you. You look agitated these days. Anything you wanna talk about?”
Okay, I was clearly more obvious than I thought.
“Summer training has been a bitch. Coach wants me to lead the team to State again this year. It’s a big commitment.
Most guys are seniors, and this is their last year playing.
Many have no interest in playing in college or won’t be recruited.
It’s their final shot at this. I don’t wanna let them down.
With Seth now in college, our starting cornerback has big shoes to fill. The pressure is real.”
Never would I tell her about my infatuation with Melinda. That secret was not meant to be shared. Even with her best friend.
“You would tell me if it was something else?”
I nodded. “Probably.”
“Good. And for what it’s worth, I intend to enjoy my senior year and make the most of it.”
“That’s right, babe. Senior year is all about having fun and making memories.”
“Well, that’s the plan. I won’t do crazy shit, but I’ll try to get out of my shell a bit more…go to parties and stuff.” She stood, ready to leave.
“Where are you going? I thought you just got here.”
She pointed next door. “Mel is back from her vacation. We have a loooot of catching up to do. I arrived early because I wanted to spend some time with your brother first. He’s going to the gym with Sheldon, so we’ll meet you guys later. Are you riding with us to the races?”
“Who’s us?” Please say Mel. Please say Mel.
“Huh, Craig, Mel, and me. Who else?”
“Oh, okay.” My pulse accelerated, and I fought the urge to pump my fist. “Yeah, okay then… I’ll ride with you guys. Sounds good.” Did I nail the nonchalant, unaffected tone? A beat passed and Paige didn’t call me out on it, so I guessed I’d fooled her. “I’m going now, and I’ll see you later.”
We faced each other when I rose to my feet, and she hugged me. Standing two steps below hers, we were almost face to face.
“Thanks for reassuring me, Mase. And if you wanna talk, I’ll always make time for you.”
I clutched the back of my neck and glanced at my feet before meeting her eyes. “Thanks, babe.”
“Oh, and I left you cupcakes inside. I put your name on the lid. Your mom said she’ll make sure you get them when you come back.”
“You’re the best. Craig is a lucky bastard.”
Her smile lit up her face, her cheeks turning an adorable shade of pink. Gone were her worries. For now. “See you later.”
She picked up the container and hurried next door. At a lazy pace, I jogged after her, hoping to see Melinda when she answered the door, but instead, it was Mr. Shepard who greeted her.
“Hey, Mr. Shepard.” I waved at the man, fixing earbuds in my ear.
He returned the gesture. “Good morning, Mason. Enjoy your run.”
“I will.”
The only thing filling the silence other than the music in my ears and the pounding of my shoes on the pavement as I accelerated the pace was the drumming of my heart. Not from exertion, but from anticipation.