Page 55 of Switching Skates

I knew that periods existed and that women experienced them every month, but I didn’t think that they hurt this damn much. They should be resting at home the entire time, not out playing sports, going to work, expected to perform the same as they do when they’re not going through it.

I have gigantic respect for this, more than I did before. I wish everybody could experience this pain once just to understand what our mothers, sisters, and other women in our life go through.

Daphne taps my forehead. “Earth to Mason.”

I look up at her and wipe beneath my eyes. “Sorry. Did I mess up your makeup?”

She uses the tip of her finger and runs it under my lashes. “Nope. Just a little smudged. But it’ll be fine.”

Someone bangs on the door loudly, and I recognize Chet’s singing voice. “Ooh. Mason and Daphne banging in a room. B-A-N-G-I-N-G.”

Daphne’s eyes widen. Honestly, I’m amazed it’s taken them this long to start making jokes, given how much time Daphne and I have been spending together.

Daphne and I stay quiet, and we hear his footsteps trail away from her room before I break the silence.

“I’m going to kill him.”

She laughs at my comment. “I just might help you.”

“Aww. Look at us bonding.” I smirk at her, and she rolls her eyes and walks toward the door.

She’s trying to hide it. But it’s too late. I could spot her blushing from a mile away.

Four hours later, half the team has gone home happy and full, and the other half are so drunk that they’re cozied up in the living room, watching a movie calledShe’s All That.

Maeve walks into the kitchen, where I’m filling up my water bottle.

“Hi, pookieee. Have fun tonight?” Her words are slurred together with a smile, and her eyes are happily glossed over.

I grin. “A great time actually. You? Seems like it’s going well with Jackson.”

Her eyes darken, and her jaw drops. “Girl, this man is insatiable. Like, you have no idea. Round after round. He doesn’t tire.”

“Oh God, please stop!” I groan and plug my ears with my fingers, every cell in my body cringing at hearing my sister say that to me with such vigor.

Her jaw unhinges, and her brows pinch together. “Why?”

“I’m just … jealous, is all.” The words fight every step of the way. “Good. For. You.”

She cocks her head to the side with a smirk. “I’ve seen the way you’ve been looking at Mason again. Are you sure you two haven’t been secretly hooking up and you’re just too scared to tell me yet?”

I rub the back of my neck. “Why would I be scared?”

She crosses her arms over her chest. “Because you know I will kill Mason if he hurts you again.”

“Well, good thing you don’t have to worry because we’re definitelynotsleeping together.”

The thought of us doing that in these bodies brings a chilling shiver down my spine.

Nope. Nothing is going inside of me, especially not my own dick.

“Okay, fiiiine.” She seems to accept my answer—although doubtfully. “But can we at least talk about how much time you’ve been spending together?” She pauses and lowers her voice. “Are you doing okay with him here? Because I will kick him out tomorrow if you need.”

Okay. That’s fucked up.

“No, it’s fine, seriously.” I smile. “I like having her—I mean,himhere.”

Thankfully, she’s a bit intoxicated, and her attention to detail is off. “I love you, Daph. I just want you to be happy. You deserve the world.”