Page 22

22

ANYA

I HATE RUNNING LATE.

I should already be on my way to the game, but I was so engrossed in my book I lost track of time. As this is a regular occurrence for me, I live by setting multiple alarms throughout the day to keep me on track, but, somehow, I forgot to set this one.

Jumping up and down, I yank on my leggings and almost topple over in the process. I slip my satin top over my head, shimmy into it then detour into Zayden’s room. I switch the light on, and I make a repulsed face at the piles of the clothes scattered across the floor. I eye the six empty water bottles lined up on his bedside table and the box of condoms that looks nearly empty. Classy, big brother.

Stepping over the mountain of clothes, I yank open his closet door and peer inside. I huff in frustration when I don’t immediately find his jersey; I always wear it to the game. I once wore Mason’s, but Zayden got a bit weird about it, and with everything that’s happened since, I don’t feel comfortable doing that now. Groaning, I jog down the hall and into the laundry. Opening the washing machine, I look down into it and see a pile of wet clothes sitting in there. I sift through, finding his jersey plonked at the bottom of the machine. I pull it out and wince at the feel of the damp material.

My eyes travel to Mason’s doorway, and I chew the inside of my cheek. For a moment, I consider wearing his jersey instead, before shaking off the idea.

‘Anya!’ Nora hollers from downstairs. ‘We have to go!’

‘Coming!’ I call back, rushing to my room and swiping up all my last-minute things.

Hastily making my way down the steps, I head out to Nora’s car. The fresh night air stings my skin and I curse under my breath, wishing I had gone back to find something else to wear, but it’s too late now.

‘Hi, hi, sorry!’ I say breathlessly, throwing myself into the passenger seat.

‘You’re going to freeze in that!’ Nora exclaims, eyeing my bare arms that are pebbled with goosebumps.

‘It’s fine, let’s just go before we end up missing the start.’

The car park is full when we arrive, and we end up parking in a small grassy area that I’m positive is not somewhere we’re permitted to park, but Nora does it anyway. The roar of the crowd is deafening, even all the way back here. Cheers erupt, and people stomp on the ground beneath them, shaking the grandstand.

‘Would you kill me if I said I have to pee?’ I whisper, sending Nora an apologetic look.

‘Go, I’ll find us a seat,’ she replies with an eye roll.

‘Won’t be long.’

Running to the bathroom, I’m relieved to see there isn’t a line – everyone has probably found their seats by now, as the cheerleaders are either about to perform or already are. I hope we haven’t missed any of it, since Cami is performing and has been gushing about it all week.

I’m looking down at my phone as I exit the bathrooms, trying to understand where Nora is sitting from her jumbled text message.

‘Hey, you.’

I yelp in alarm, jerking back. Kai smiles down at me.

‘Oh, Kai,’ I exclaim, placing a hand on my chest. ‘You scared me. Aren’t you meant to be in the locker room, enduring a long-winded pep talk or something?’

‘Yeah.’ He shrugs, looking somewhere off to the distance. ‘I come and go as I please.’

I try to control my reaction as he says that, wondering if he thinks I would for some reason be impressed. I’ve heard Mason and Zayden talk about the team, and I know Kai is someone who doesn’t contribute as much as the others, both on and off the field. My brother can see the good in everyone, but he is also a great judge of character, so when I hear him talk like that, I take his word for it.

‘Okay,’ I say eventually, when it appears he isn’t going to say anything more.

‘You haven’t replied to any of my messages.’ Kai’s eyes are focused on mine, and I bristle a little at the intensity. ‘You’re starting to hurt my feelings.’

‘Sorry, I’ve been really slammed this week.’

He nods. ‘Sure. I get that.’ His eyes bounce down to my arms. ‘Where’s your jacket?’

‘I was in a rush. Accidentally left without it.’

‘Wait here,’ he says, quickly disappearing.

I should take this as my chance to flee, but to be fair, I really am cold, just like Nora said I would be. Stepping towards the grandstand, I hesitate, torn between rushing away and waiting for him to return. He makes the decision for me when he reappears, holding out his jersey. My throat feels dry as I blink at it.

‘Here,’ he says.

‘Oh, I couldn’t,’ I quickly say.

‘Why not? You’re cold; I have a jersey.’ He extends his hand. ‘Take it.’

The crowd hollers again, and I shiver as the cool wind chooses this moment to remind me that we’re at the beginning of a long game, and it’s only going to get colder as the night goes on.

‘Thanks, Kai,’ I say, reluctantly reaching for it. Though I’m unsure what his true intentions are, I don’t have another option right now, or much time to argue. ‘I’ll return it to you after the game.’

‘No stress,’ he says, as I slip it over my head. ‘Looks better on you anyway.’

It completely envelopes me, landing mid-thigh, the sleeves stretching way past my hands. It feels wrong, and the scent is not the one I’m used to. It’s not Zayden’s.

It’s not Mason’s.

‘Good luck tonight. I hope it’s a good game.’

His smirk widens. ‘Oh, it will be.’

I love the atmosphere of the game.

The excitement in the air, the thunderous stamping on the cement beneath our feet, the cheers and whistles erupting every few moments. When Cami struts out onto the field, Nora and I leap to our feet and scream so loudly the group in front of us turns back and gives us a dirty look.

The football field is gigantic. Much bigger than the ones we had back at school. This has a more professional feel to it, with the cheerleaders and the high-rise stands bordering the edge of the field. I get so caught up in the hype of the game and all that comes before it, my earlier worries evaporate from my mind.

Nora and I hold one side each of a sign we made. I used neon pink and sparkles to paint Cami’s name in big, bold letters. I can’t take my eyes off her as she performs, hitting each move perfectly in time with the beat.

‘She’s incredible!’ Nora murmurs, looking as awe-struck as I feel.

The cheering has barely subsided when the guys start jogging onto the field. An excited smile spreads across my face as I take in the long, even strides of Mason. A flutter of something swoops through my stomach. His head turns, those whisky eyes sweep through the crowd, landing heavily on mine. His lips tilt, and warmth rushes through me.

After a few minutes, the game begins. I love watching Zayden and Mason play. The way they can silently communicate has always made them such a deadly combination. I’m on the edge of my seat as a player launches himself at Zayden. He flings the ball out to Mason barely a second before he gets tackled hard into the ground. Mason is like lightning. He weaves in and out of the players with an electric speed that has made him legendary in past games. Shooting forward, he runs half the length of the field before launching himself across the line. I’m on my feet, screaming before my mind can even catch up. Mason’s best move is always getting the first try, and he never fails.

‘Damn,’ Nora mutters, looking impressed as she claps. ‘He’s fast.’

‘Yup.’ I smile, feeling proud. I watch Zayden clap him on the back as they exchange a moment of victory.

Zayden and Mason are both incredible players, and it baffles me that Mason thinks Zayden works harder than him. In the past, Mason definitely let himself get distracted, but I’ve noticed a big difference in his commitment since he’s been back. He is training harder than ever, showing up to every practice, and it’s delivering tonight. He is playing fiercely.

The crowd calms down through the next play, and when it’s back to our turn, I can’t keep my eyes off Zayden and Mason as they pass back and forth, outplaying the opposing team with an ease that comes from years of playing together.

Parker – another brilliant player, although I don’t know him personally – gets the ball and makes a run for it. He quickly throws it to Mason before getting slammed into the ground, and Mason slices through the defence, executing another massive run down the field. I feel giddy with happiness when he slides across the line, the crowd screaming so loud it actually makes me wince.

‘Far out!’ Nora comments, shaking her head. ‘He’s bloody amazing!’

‘I know.’ I grin, feeling my cheeks grow hot.

After the team finishes jumping all over each other in excitement, he swings his gaze to me, smiling. I smile back at him as he jogs to position. His eyes drop to my chest, and the colour drains from his face. He stops running, causing the person behind him to slam into him. My stomach hits the cement at my feet when I see his expression. I look down, reading Kai’s number in a striking white, branded right smack in the centre of my chest. Zayden frowns at Mason, following his line of sight, and the slight curve of his mouth flattens. My insides shrivel under the scrutiny, and I mentally berate myself. I knew this wasn’t a good idea.

Kai rams his elbow into Mason’s side, nods his head towards me and says something over his shoulder before jogging away, looking happy with himself. My cheeks flare with unbearable heat as I realise that was his plan all along. To mess with Mason.

Because he knows how we feel about each other .

The tension is high for the entire first half, and the tight feeling stretching across my chest only seems to increase as each minute inches by. All of a sudden, Mason is off his game. He went from playing powerfully to fumbling the ball and being tackled, when he’s usually notorious for slipping right past other players’ outstretched hands. I can’t help but feel the blame rests heavily on my shoulders. The first game of the season, ruined by me.

‘Shit,’ I say. ‘I’ve just cost them the game.’

‘Quit being dramatic,’ Nora says softly. ‘You accepted a jumper because it’s cold. It’s not a big deal.’

‘Yeah,’ I mumble, picking furiously at my nails.

‘Seriously. If Mason wants you to wear his, he needs to man up and ask you out.’

‘It’s not that simple, Nora.’

She offers me a sympathetic smile, touching my shoulder. ‘I know. Sorry.’

When the game ends, they’re up by four, thankfully, but the fun atmosphere has died down. For me, at least.

Nora and I make our way back to her car quickly, since Zayden told me last minute that we’re hosting the after-party. I already dread tomorrow’s post-party clean-up, having done it far too many times. But I can’t think about that right now, or what kind of mood the boys will be in after the game.

Within the hour, the house is full. I weave through the groups, joining Nora and Cami at the beer pong table.

‘Who’s next?’ shouts a guy I have never seen before, gesturing to the beer funnel in his hand.

‘Me!’ Cami volunteers.

‘Pause,’ Nora says to the two boys at the other end of the table.

Cami strolls towards the guy as everyone claps and eggs her on. She drops to her knees – thankfully someone thought to put a plastic tarp over the carpet – and the guy begins to pour a steady stream of beer into the funnel. She flips the nozzle on the side and the liquid disappears so quickly that I blink, and it’s gone.

‘Goddamn,’ one of the guys mutters. ‘I think I just met my future wife.’

Nora giggles, and we exchange a look as we clap and whistle, praising Cami.

‘New record to beat!’ beer-funnel guy hollers, and there’s a loud whoop from the dude who made the wife comment.

‘Relax!’ Cami says, gripping my shoulders and gently shaking me. ‘Loosen up. It’s a party!’

I offer her a weak smile.

She thrusts a cup into my hand and I take it, downing the contents. It’s my first drink of the night, but I don’t feel like partying. I just want to make sure things are right with Mason.

Neon lights swing around the room, lighting up at least fifty faces I don’t recognise. I assume they’re all people from school. I always wonder how word gets out about a party, but I suppose when one of the footballers is throwing it, everyone hears about it.

Feeling jittery, I continue to scan the party, constantly assessing whether anyone is doing anything damaging to the house or our things. Surprisingly, everyone seems pretty tame. I see two girls from my class making out against the wall, with everyone ogling them. One of the girls bumps into a photograph of me and my mum. I turn away. I’m not going to look at that picture the same again.

‘If I get this in, you have to kiss me on the lips,’ the guy at the end of the table comments, and I desperately try to remember what his name is. He has a charming, confident smile on his face, focused on Cami as she narrows her eyes at him.

‘Hmm,’ she contemplates, tapping her chin. ‘How confident are you?’

‘I don’t miss often,’ he teases.

‘Okay.’ She shrugs. ‘Why not?’

Grinning, he aims and elegantly shoots the ball straight into the cup. Cami rolls her eyes as she strides around the side of the table. Planting her palms on either side of his face, she stands on her tip-toes and presses her lips to his. As she goes to pull back, he wraps his hand around the back of her neck, securing her there as he kisses her harder.

‘Oh my God.’ Nora laughs.

The two spend the next minute making out, oblivious to everyone watching them.

‘What’s his name again?’ I ask.

‘Er – Jake? Jim?’ Nora guesses, looking as clueless as I feel.

The front door bangs open, and loud whistles flood the air as the football team enters. My throat feels dry and I step away, attempting to fade into the background. Cami and Jake/Jim finally detach from each other, and she has a playful smirk on her lips as she struts back around to our side.

‘Get it girl,’ I say teasingly.

‘Well played, Jack,’ she says.

Nora and I look at each other.

‘Oops,’ Nora says. ‘I was close.’

Purposely keeping my eyes off the team, I focus on the game, anxiety simmering underneath my skin and churning in my gut as if I’ve eaten something bad.

After a minute or so, I nervously peek a glance. Fire ignites inside me when I hit Mason’s cold stare, already in my direction, as if he pulled my gaze to his like a magnet.

‘Oh dear,’ Nora mutters, casting me a worried look. ‘He’s pissed.’

‘Yup,’ I reply, my blood turning to ice in my veins.

‘Fuck him.’ Cami snorts dismissively, tossing her shiny hair over her shoulder as she turns her attention back to the game. ‘You did nothing wrong.’

I wish her words were a comfort to me, but they’re really not.

The volume of chatter in the room increases tenfold now the team is here. A migraine throbs behind my eyes. Quietly, I step away from the group and duck my chin as I hurry through the room, beelining to the stairs. I manage to sneak up them uninterrupted. A couple are heading towards my room and I shake my head.

‘No,’ I snap, stepping in front of them. ‘My room is off limits.’

Scowling, they resume the hunt for privacy down the hall. I dart inside my room and lean against the wall, placing a hand on my chest. Not a moment later, it swings open, and I close my eyes, feeling Mason’s presence like a physical touch.

‘What the fuck were you doing wearing his jersey to my game?’ he seethes, and a bolt of electricity runs down my spine at the rough raspiness of his voice.

Swallowing, I force my eyes open and track his long strides as he eats the space between us, towering over me.

‘The only jersey that belongs on your body is mine ,’ he murmurs, his warm breath kissing my cheeks.

I tilt my head back, lifting my gaze to meet his. ‘Since when?’

‘Since always.’

With that, he presses me back against the wall and kisses me. His lips press into mine, desperately and urgently. I kiss him back just as hard. His hands run down my sides, then cup my ass as he lifts me, turning us and stumbling forwards. We fall back onto my bed, and I wrap my legs around his waist.

He pulls back from the kiss; our foreheads stay pressed together; our breaths mingle as one as we both exhale.

‘It’s me and you,’ he whispers, breathless. ‘I’m not fucking around this time. Me and you. You got that?’

‘Me and you,’ I murmur.

His mouth is on mine once more, and I groan into him. Arching into his hard body, I explore the rigid muscles of his back with my hands. Curling my fingers around the hem of his shirt, I yank it up over his head, throwing it somewhere on the other side of the room.

I thread my fingers through his hair, and we kiss long and hard. I suck his bottom lip into my mouth, savouring the sweet and salty taste of him. His hands are everywhere – skimming over my back, tracing my curves, dancing across my stomach. Flipping him onto his back, I pepper kisses across his face, the same way he has to me a million times.

‘I like that,’ he breathes, his voice husky, his chest rising and falling underneath me. ‘You’re kissing my freckles.’

‘They’re faint, but they’re there,’ I murmur.

Moving down to his neck, I run my tongue across his skin, tasting the minty freshness of his body wash and the signature spice of him . I wish I could bottle it to keep for myself. My lips trail across his collarbones, gliding down his hard chest. My tongue snakes across his nipple, and his hands tighten on my hips. He pushes upwards, his erection pressing against my stomach as I move lower, dragging my tongue along those sculpted abs I love so much.

‘Fuck,’ he mutters when I pop open his jeans with a quick flick of my finger. He lifts his hips as I pull his pants down, never breaking eye contact with him.

‘Okay?’ I whisper.

‘Okay,’ he croaks.

Moving my hand across him, over the fabric of his underwear, I encircle his thick length. His breath stutters, and a shooting sensation spears through me at the sound of it. Peeling the fabric back, I keep my eyes on his as I circle his head with my tongue. He hisses, moving a hand to my hair and scraping his fingernails against my scalp, and I moan at the harshness of it. Moving my lips over his length, I take him as far down my throat as I can. The sound that leaves his lips has me clenching my thighs together as heat threatens to consume me. I suck softly and gently at first, getting used to his size, before taking him further and deeper.

‘Blush,’ he says through gritted teeth, fingers moving to the back of my neck and curling around it, the other hand gripping the sheets so hard his knuckles are bleached white. ‘I’m not going to last long if you keep doing that.’

Smirking victoriously, I repeat the action once, twice, and then hot liquid spurts onto my tongue as he lets out a guttural groan, hips jerking as he spills his release down my throat. After swallowing every single drop, I peel back, licking my lips. His cheeks are tinged a delicious pink, and his eyes are dark and lustful as I move back up his body.

‘You’re incredible,’ he drawls, fingers curling around my hips, tugging me close. ‘It’s ... never like that for me.’

‘The feeling is mutual, Captain.’

The dark storm in his eyes flares up. ‘Say that again.’

‘Captain,’ I whisper, lightly tracing the lines of his stomach.

And then we are kissing again, wild and desperate once more. I lose all sense of time and reality as we kiss like the world is ending tomorrow and these are our last moments together. It feels like that, after waiting for so long. The feeling of his hands and mouth all over me is something I never want to forget. Despite everything, it just feels so right .

My door handle begins to jiggle, and then a loud knock jolts us out of our trance. I roll off him, panting, and hastily brush my messy hair out of my face. The person moves on quickly, but my heart is still in my throat as I push to a seated position and press my fingertips to my pulsing lips.

‘Do you forgive me?’ I ask, sporting a coy smile.

He looks at me with his trademark crooked grin on his face.

‘Yeah, Blush. I think so.’