Kickoff

Chapter 27

You and me, we need this

“Why are we heading toward the cabin?” Melinda asked from the passenger seat. “I thought we were going home.”

“I know, but Jax texted me and said he messed up. It sounded urgent. You know what it means. I’m not going to abandon him when he needs me. It shouldn’t take long.”

“Fine.”

I was almost relieved that, after we’d left Beans, my teammate had sent me a 911 text.

Our fight over my past fuckboy persona had left me feeling raw, and I wasn’t ready to let go of her just yet.

I needed more time by her side, wanting us to go back to the way we’d been lately.

This awkwardness between us made me uncomfortable in my own skin.

I couldn’t find the words to convince her we could be something real, if given a real chance.

I drummed my fingers against the steering wheel.

“Sheldon called last night and said he was throwing a party tomorrow to celebrate my birthday. You’re invited too.

He told his parents he was having a pre-Thanksgiving barbecue with some friends, and they bought it, so we’ll be meeting at his place around nine if you can make it. ”

“I work tomorrow night until eleven, but I’ll try to make an appearance afterward. I took more hours at the movie theater since school is off this week for Thanksgiving. I’ll check if Paige is going, and maybe we can share a ride.”

I nodded. Melinda’s back was ramrod straight, and her smile hadn’t fully returned. She still seemed a bit shaken about our earlier confrontation, but at least now we were talking to each other instead of screaming.

I stretched my arm and enveloped her hand with mine. “Are we okay?” I needed the confirmation we were fine. That whatever our fight was about, we would get over it.

“Yes.”

I didn’t release her hand as I took the exit leading to the cabin belonging to Jackson’s uncle. “I wonder what he did. I swear, the guy only thinks with his dick.”

Melinda snickered. “Like someone I know…or how he used to be.”

I sighed. “Touché.” If her sense of humor had returned, we were halfway back to our normal selves.

I drove on the dirt road along the lake, killed the engine, and turned toward her. “Come inside with me? In case it takes longer than I planned, or he’s handcuffed to a bedpost and I need a witness to confirm it really did happen. One day, he’ll meet his match, and it’ll actually happen.”

“You think some girl left him in there and ran away with the key?”

“Who knows? It’s a possibility. With him, nothing surprises me anymore. And I’m best friends with Chase, so can you imagine?”

“Chase is terrible.”

“I won’t argue with that statement. I swear, these guys always think after they act. I can’t figure out how they can be so good on the field and so idiotic off it.”

“My parents used to say the same thing about my brother when he still lived with us. Like he never thought about the consequences before he acted. I hope he’s done doing stupid shit nowadays.”

“Any news? It feels like he’s never been around much.”

“Nah. He’s in Nashville, playing gigs in bars, hoping to get a record deal. He’s not really the chatty type, never has been, so I’m not sure what else is going on in his life.”

“That sucks.”

“As long as he’s happy, I supposed it’s good enough.

Sometimes, I wish he was more of a big brother, you know.

I could use a sibling relationship like you and Craig…

or his outlook on stuff…someone who sides with me when my parents are treating me like a kid or gives me advice.

Having a guy’s point of view would be useful sometimes. Anyway, those kinds of things.”

“I hit the jackpot when I landed Craig as a big brother. I know I’m lucky. He’s the best.”

She mirrored my smile. “He really is. You guys have the kind of bond everyone would wish for.”

Melinda unbuckled her seatbelt and followed me on the path leading to the cabin.

I slowed my steps and locked my fingers around hers when she neared me.

We climbed the few stairs leading to the front porch and stopped.

I cracked my neck on both sides and rolled my shoulders back.

“Okay. Wish me luck. And stay behind me if you’re not ready for whatever we witness in there. ”

“You think it’s gonna be that bad?”

I bobbed my head. “It usually is. The last two times he called me stating it was an emergency, well, let’s just say it was…” I scratched my head, not sure how to describe my friend’s antics. “I wanted to bleach my eyes afterward.”

“What did he do?” She whispered as if we were in on a secret. “Now I wanna know. You can’t tease me like that and not say anything.”

“All right. I’ll save you the details, but one of those times, Jax thought he would have a threesome.

Turned out he was dating two girls at the same time and one of them offered him a fun time with her twin sister.

The twins were not identical, and he was indeed dating both of them and had no clue.

They got their revenge by tying his wrists and ankles together behind his back like he was a piece of meat, pulling his pants down, and strapping a gag ball into his mouth.

It was epic. Traumatizing, but spectacular all at once. ”

Her hand flew to cover her growing smirk. “Ohhhh.”

“Yep. Not a sight I wish to ever see again. They wrote Pig on his chest with red lipstick. It took him over an hour to be able to make a phone call.”

“I bet. That is horrible. I’m glad you didn’t bleach your eyes, but I understand why you wanted to.” A low chuckle parted her lips. “Let’s be brave. How bad can it be this time around?”

“You’re right. Let’s get it over with.” I knocked on the front door before making my way inside.

“Jax? Man, are you there? If you’re naked, please warn me or grunt or stomp your foot so I’m not walking in on a scene that will traumatize me for life.

I’m still not over your latest fuck-up. And I have company, so please don’t scar us for life. ”

“Why is it so dark in here?” Melinda murmured from behind me, her grip around my fingers tightening.

“No idea. It’s already sketchy. No matter what it is, I hope he’s dressed.” Running my palm over the wall, I flipped the light switch on, and a loud “Happy Birthday” resonated through the room when my friends and teammates popped out from behind furniture and cheered me on.

I cocked my head to look at Melinda, who stared at me with glint in her eye. “Happy birthday, Mase.” Gone was the heaviness that had settled over her features in the last hour. Her smile was back and blinding and looked genuine.

I clamped the back of my neck with a hand and turned toward her. “You knew?”

“Yeah. I’m glad the surprise worked. I was in charge of keeping you busy all day. I didn’t have to go home either. It was a ruse so you wouldn’t suspect a thing when Jax texted you.”

I lifted her in my arms and twirled her around. “Thanks. I had the most amazing day with you today.”

We fixated on each other for an infinite minute before I lowered her to her feet as my friends came to clap my back.

“I’m not naked this time,” Jackson said as we fist-bumped.

“Thank God. I wasn’t ready for a repeat experience of last time.”

“Happy birthday, Captain.”

“Mase, my man.” Sheldon walked up to us, handing me a shot glass. “Just to be clear, there’s no party tomorrow.”

I laughed with my head tilted back. “I kinda guessed it.”

We clinked our glasses and downed them in one gulp. When I searched for her, Melinda had disappeared into the crowd. A piece of my heart cracked, and I prayed we really would be fine after all.

“Birthday, man,” Craig said as he pulled me closer and ruffled my hair. “Glad you could make it. We’re finally the same age again. How was your day?”

“Great...”

He pulled me aside. “What happened?”

I hung my head as the name “Tanya” left my mouth.

“And?”

I returned my gaze to his. “She said things…and it looked very bad…for me. No matter how many times I tell her to leave me alone, she doesn’t get the memo.

It’s harassment, I swear. Double standards, man.

Big time. I would be arrested if I did the same thing to her.

Anyway, Mel freaked out. Said trusting me wasn’t always easy. We got into a fight.”

“Well, I hate saying this, but you kinda brought it on yourself when you fraternized with the she-devil.”

“You’re supposed to be on my side.”

“Geez, Mase. I am. But if you play with fire, don’t be surprised when you get burned.

No matter what, don’t play Tanya’s games.

She’s not worth the trouble. Keep proving to Melinda you really are a different guy than the one you used to be months ago.

That’s all she’s asking for. The proof can’t be a temporary fix, but a permanent one. ”

I quirked one eyebrow. “Insider information?”

“Not much. Paige is tight-lipped about everything. The only piece of information I got, and man, you owe me big time, is that Mel wants to trust you, but she’s being extra cautious before jumping in with both feet.

Her main priority right now is that scholarship to Crestwood U.

Paige says she’s more obsessed about it than she has ever been before.

It’s all she talks about when they’re together. ”

“She does? She barely broaches the subject with me. For the record, I talked to her about her training program and her diet the other day because, no matter what everyone says, it doesn’t sound healthy to me. She’s always tired and is complaining of headaches.”

“And?”

“Nothing. I said I would mind my own business since she’s convinced it’s all under control.”

“Fuck, but we can’t blame her. We’d both do just about anything to play pro,” Craig said.

“She had that surgery, and perhaps it has affected her mindset. Her coach wouldn’t let her put her health at risk.

They have shrinks and specialists at school for athletes.

If it’s serious, I’m sure Mel will ask for help. She’s smart.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. It still feels off somehow.”

“I’ll talk to Paige, see if she has noticed something else.”

“Thanks.”

More drinks were handed to me, and soon I felt tipsy but happy—and relaxed.

After half a dozen slices of pizza and more beer, I joined some of my friends outside, all of them bundled up in jackets and hats and standing around the bonfire. From the crisp late-November breeze and humidity in the air, we could tell December was just a little over a week away.

My eyes were trained to find Melinda because I spotted her the moment I exited the cabin through the back door.

She was deep in conversation with two girls, looking cozy in her white fluffy jacket. I inched closer to them and wrapped my arms around her from behind. A shiver danced up her back when she relaxed against me, and it shot me with renewed joy. Her body couldn’t lie. We would be okay.

“Dance with me?”

“Mase…”

“Don’t.” I spun her around and placed a finger over her lips. “You and me, we need this…we need to connect. Today was amazing, and I’m not ready for it to end.” I stared into her eyes. “For the record, I hate fighting with you too.”

She nodded, her cheek brushing mine, then tipped her head back to look at me. I released her and tugged at her sleeve to usher her further away from our friends to a dark secluded corner.

Melinda swirled and looped her arms around me, connecting us once again. “Are you drunk?”

I nuzzled her neck, my lips stretching wide. “Just a teeny tiny bit. Are you drunk?”

“Nah. I only had sparkling water.”

“Is it true we’re all sleeping here? Chase told me they’d put the stuff Craig brought over in one of the rooms upstairs.” I kissed her cheek, my lips lingering on her soft skin while I breathed her in.

“Yes. That’s the plan.”

“Did you bring your stuff?”

“Paige and your brother did. I’m not sure if I’m staying yet.”

I leaned back to watch her. “Shepard, will you stay in my bedroom with me tonight?”

We were nestled deeply in each other’s arms, swaying to the music playing inside that was barely audible from here.

“Mase.”

“Mel.”

“I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“Because.” She glanced down. “You know…”

“Is it about this morning or our earlier conversation?”

She swallowed, and even in my tipsiness, I heard every ripple of her throat. “Both.”

I leaned back and placed my hands gently on her cheeks. “Tanya and every girl before you were mistakes. A lack of judgment on my part. I have a history, but I don’t want to go there ever again. I’m sorry I hurt you. I never meant to. No one else means anything to me. But you? You mean everything.”

She said nothing, and I let go of her face. She buried herself deeper in my arms, her head resting against my throbbing heart.

“If we make it to State in two weeks, will you come to see me play?”

“Isn’t it like a three-hour drive from here?”

I nodded. “I checked. You don’t have a meet that weekend. I’m longing to see you in the bleachers, cheering me on.”

“Maybe I can come. I’ll check my work schedule. Paige said she was going. If it works out, we could ride together instead of riding the buses the school provides.”

“Good. I-I…huh…I wanna ask you a favor.”

Melinda raised her eyes to mine, waiting.

“Will you wear my jersey?”

Her lips parted. “You want me to wear your jersey? Isn’t it like something only girlfriends do?”

“Yeah, so? Will you? It’s kind of important to me if you do. I swear I’ll play better if I see you wearing it.”

Her heart banged in her chest, every thump reverberating through me.

“Mase, what are we?”

“Bound by fate.”

“You really believe it?”

“More with every minute we spend with each other.”

“I like that.” She repositioned herself against me, and I tightened my arms tighter around her body as we danced the night away.

Lying on our backs on top of the mattress in one of the bedrooms, fully dressed, we linked our fingers together, barely exchanging a word, our energies doing all the talking.

Melinda had said nothing after my earlier confession, but she’d stuck by my side all night and agreed to share a bed with me.

“As long as we keep our clothes on and our hands to ourselves,” she had said.

It was meant as a joke, but I could tell that was what she wished too.

“Hey, Mel?”

“Yeah.”

“Thank you for today…or, huh, yesterday now, I think. Anyway, it was the best birthday I’ve ever had. Because we spent it together.” She remained silent next to me, and I wondered if she had fallen asleep. “Can I hold you, or does that count as touching you?”

She rolled to her side and pushed her ass against me. I pulled her into my arms, drawing her close to my chest, relishing her warmth and the softness of her body. I had turned seventeen with a smile anchored to my face. One I hoped would never be flushed away.

“Happy birthday, Mase. I had a great time too. Please, don’t let go of me.”

“Never.”