The smirk formed into a wide smile and I couldn’t hold back my own.
I teased, “What’s a girl to do with romance like that?”
“Hopefully get naked.”
I barked out a laugh and the boulder in my gut diminished a bit, just a bit. But then I saw where he was headed and it doubled in size. My eyes went wide and I grasped his arm. It was cement as the muscle flexed from the movement of turning the steering wheel. I clung tighter. “Where are we going?”
He glanced over with a small frown, but kept driving. We passed hundreds of cars, it must’ve been hundreds of cars. He went through his school’s parking lot that was filled with their colors of red and black. Students milled around the entire parking lot. Some were getting out of their cars, laughing. Others hung out at their cars, waiting for friends. I saw parents, older people, and too many that reminded me of the last game I attended at Fallen Crest Public School.
I shook my head. “Seriously, Mason. I don’t want to be here.”
The teasing was gone between us and he regarded me with an intensity that had me blinking back some tears. The onslaught was sudden and the old Mason where he always looked deep into me was back. I’d forgotten he existed at times.
He pulled through another back parking lot that was set in a square of trees. Most students were there. A few trucks had their backs down. I saw some others with grills beside their cars and realized this was the hidden spot they tailgated for their own games.
Mason went through that lot and pulled into another back one, this one farther than all the rest. It was secluded as the trees doubled in volume around the lot. I saw Logan’s Escalade and Mason slid into the empty slot beside his. I had no doubt that everyone knew not to park in Mason’s spot. As we got out, my hands were clammy and I rubbed them against my pants.
I couldn’t believe I was here, but I was Mason’s girlfriend. I should’ve expected it. I should’ve been there before now.
He caught one of my hands and pulled me close. Then he murmured against my ear, “You’re safe. I promise.” Then he pressed a soft kiss to my forehead, though it did nothing to calm my insides. When he started around the car, he pulled me behind him.
I dug my feet in and shook my head. Uh huh. No way. I did not want to get into a fight and I knew that was the only ending for this night.
“What?”
I shook my head again. “I’m not going in there. Bad things happen when I come to your games.”
He grinned, but skimmed a hand down the side of my face. I melted a bit but hardened myself again. His seductive ways wouldn’t work this way.
“Nope. I love you, Mason. I know we don’t say it that often, but I do. However, I’m not going in there. No way, Jose.”
He smirked. “Come on, Sam.” He tugged me again and this time I was jerked after him. An arm was wrapped around my waist and he urged me forward. With him behind me, his hands on my waist now, he pushed me ahead and bent down to my ear. He murmured, “I want to introduce you to some people. That’s all. After you meet them, you don’t have to stay unless you want to. I promise.”
My feet slid over small rocks as he pressed me forward. He was practically carrying me the whole way.
“Mason!”
“Hey, buddy!”
“Mase!”
“Yo, dude!”
He ignored all the calls until we went around a small Green Fiat. Two girls were laughing together but straightened at the sight of us. The enjoyment faded from their faces and each looked scared for a second. One cleared her throat. She brushed back a lock of her long black hair. Her brown eyes flashed in anger then and she pinched her lips together. She was tall and willowy. Her other friend had long brown hair with a curvier body and an inch shorter. Both were dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt and both narrowed their eyes.
The black haired girl lifted her chin. “What are you doing here?”
Mason held his hands in the air. “Relax, Laura. I’m here on friendly grounds.”
Her friend, the brown haired girl, came to her side. She had a heart-shaped face with the same hostility as her friend. “Go away, Mason.”
He sighed and backed two steps from me. When he stood behind their car a few feet, he gestured to me. “This is my girlfriend, Samantha. I wanted to introduce her to you guys.”
They both regarded me with questions in their eyes.
I twisted around. “What are you doing?”
His mouth twisted into a frown and he took a deep breath. “They were friends with Marissa.”
“We still are.” The black-haired girl came forward. Her hands found her hips and she struck an intimidating pose. “I talk to her every day, unlike you. You’re supposed to still be a good friend to her.”
“I was.” He snarled at her. “I still am. I try.”
The girl snorted.
“Laura, give me a break.” He rolled his eyes. “Sam, Marissa became a friend to me. You know this. I told you, but I’m the reason she left this school. She was bullied by so many girls she couldn’t handle it. I don’t blame her.”
Laura opened her mouth. He lifted his hand and continued, “These two stayed at her side the whole time. They got bullied too.”
The brown haired girl piped in, “We still are.”
The two of them shared a look and Mason’s mouth flattened. He stepped forward and gentled his voice. “I know. I know you are, but you’re good friends. I saw it then and I respect you. I’ve always respected the two of you.”