by Vera Hollins
I opened my eyes and smiled. I could almost see Steven sitting on the counter, smirking at me, his thumbs raised at me. Somehow, I felt we would be okay.
If I survived the impending disaster, that is, since Masen chose this moment to stroll right into the kitchen, wearing only his briefs. He yawned and raised his sleepy gaze from the floor, completely unaware of what he was walking into until his eyes landed on my parents. He froze, a look of consternation marring his features.
I couldn’t even fully enjoy the fact that his whole body was on display because my parents were about to go ballistic.
I grimaced at him. “Are you deaf? Couldn’t you hear the voices?” I motioned with my head at my parents, silently trying to convey to him that this could’ve been avoided if he was at least 1% more aware of his surroundings.
“Meli, what is Masen doing here?” Mom asked, her voice an octave higher. “And wearing only underwear?”
“You met some old friends from here, huh?” Dad asked, but his eyes were on Masen.
“Hi, Mrs. Brooks. Mr. Brooks.” He nodded at my dad.
“It’s Ms. Giles now,” Mom corrected him.
Masen nodded. He wore a charming smile, as if he weren’t in one of probably the most humiliating situations of his life. “Sorry. Ms. Giles. It’s nice to see you.”
Mom raised her eyebrows at him. “Really now?”
“Will someone explain why he’s in my house wearing only his underwear?” Dad’s voice was all authority. He narrowed his gaze at me. “Did you two sleep together?”
Shit. This was getting worse and worse. Talk about bringing your boyfriend to meet your parents.
I raised my hands in the air. “Everyone, calm down and take a deep breath.” If my mediatory tactics worked here, I could work as a United Nations peacekeeper one day, for sure.
Okay, here we go.
“And they were cool with it?” Shreya asked me. Her eyes were wide after I finished recounting what had happened with my parents in the kitchen.
“Yep.” I closed my locker.
My parents took it better than I’d expected. Sure, they weren’t too happy, and it was obvious Masen and I hadn’t just been sleeping in separate rooms. But then they heard he was my boyfriend, and since Mom had always liked him, she didn’t question it. In her eyes, Masen was a super-nice guy, which probably had everything to do with the fact that he could be his most charming self when he wanted to be.
“Get out.” Shreya chuckled. “I can’t believe you’re actually dating Masen!”
I glanced over the students standing nearby. The news of my relationship with Masen had spread fast, so when I’d arrived at school this morning, I’d been met with countless stares. It was as if these people had no life, because all I kept hearing about was either about us dating or what everyone would wear to prom next week. A few girls—no doubt some of Masen’s past flings—even gave me nasty glares and told me he would dump me in no time. I just acquainted them with my middle finger.
“Tell me about it, dearest Shreya. It still feels like I’m in la-la land. Me dating that walking—that walking . . .”
She cocked her head to the side. “What? Bag of STDs? Disease? Or some other insult only you can come up with?”
“I wanted to say ‘muscle on steroids,’ but sure.”
“Which muscle are you referring to, exactly?” She gave me a naughty grin.
I grimaced. “Ha-ha. Ha-ha.” My stomach twisted at the reminder that Shreya had also been with Masen. Even though it was all in the past, I wished I could erase every encounter he’d ever had with any other girl, feeling too possessive.
She burst into chuckles. “You sooo like him.”
I rolled my eyes. “Shut up.”
Her chuckles grew louder as we started for the cafeteria. “No, really. It’s like I’m seeing a completely different person. And don’t worry, I’m totally over Masen. Honestly, no one can compare to Mateo.” She let out a dreamy sigh, and I scratched the side of my neck. I felt bad for letting jealousy get the best of me.
“Right.” I fist bumped her shoulder. “Maaateo. I heard you’re his prom date.”
“Yeah. I’m going to his prom, and he’s coming to ours.”
“I see you two are hitting it off really well. I thought it would take Mateo ages to warm up to you!” I pressed my hand across my chest and looked dramatically into the distance. “It’s good to know your hearts managed to find a way to each other. It’s destiny! It’s magical! It’s movie-worthy!”
She giggled, shaking her head at me. “He told me he got burned with Sarah, so we’re still going slow and all, but he admitted he couldn’t stop thinking about me. He can’t stop thinking about me! How exciting is that?”
I grinned back at her. I was happy for her and Mateo. “Absolutely! I’m already seeing you two with five kids and a mansion.”
“How about you? Has Masen already asked you to be his prom date?”
“Yeah, he did.” And he wouldn’t take no for an answer, even after I’d told him prom dates were cringy as fuck.
A part of me didn’t want to go there and see all those happy faces when I’d never be able to find Steven’s face among them. It would be yet another reminder that he was gone. But Steven wouldn’t have wanted me to miss it. He would’ve told me I wasn’t acting like myself and to snap out of it.
So, I was going to the prom for the both of us.
We entered the cafeteria.
“Do you have a dress?” Shreya asked me.
I shrugged. “I’ll just grab some dress from the bottom of my closet.”
“And to think you two hated each other and now you’re dating. It’s funny. I guess it’s true what they say about that thin line between love and hate.”
I grimaced at her. “Spare me that shit. I already feel weird enough.”
I met Masen’s gaze from across the room. He was already at our table—our table; how times had changed—his ankle resting across his knee as he sat hunched in his chair. His lips formed a smoldering smile, which reminded me of our night together. I resisted the urge to fan myself, growing hot.
Shreya grinned. “I see you two already can’t take your eyes off each other. Nice. See you later.” She left for her table.
I picked up my tray of baked potatoes, vegetables, and rice, and headed to my table. I didn’t fail to notice a few girls scowling at me. Masen’s ultimate fans, no doubt. Masen never took his heated gaze off me, which promised a lot more pleasure to come.
“Stop ogling at me. You look freaky,” I told him as I sat down next to him. The whole table stared at us with knowing grins. It was as if they were about to fetch popcorn and enjoy the show between us “lovers,” but, nope, not today.
Masen’s eyebrow went up, maintaining his laid-back attitude. “That makes two of us. If only you could see yourself.”
I tightened my fingers around my tray as I imagined ditching all its contents over his head. Potatoes would make nice hair accessories for him.
Boyfriend or not, he could still really tick me off.
Jess and Sar looked between each other. They looked to be on the verge of bursting into laughter.
“So, this is your kink?” Blake asked, watching us with an amused expression. “Driving each other crazy?”
“I’d be surprised if they stopped,” Hayden added and took a bite of his pizza.
“She just plays hard to get,” Masen said and ran his fingers along my jaw, sending a shiver through me.
I gave him a death glare. “You have a death wish or something?”
Masen smirked and wound his arm around my waist, resting his hand low on my hip. My body responded to him right away, buzzing with the sweet awareness only he created in me.
“You know I’m right. You want me badly,” he said sensually in my ear, sending more shivers through me, and I couldn’t even deny it. His effect on me was too strong.
“I’ve been thinking,” Marcus started. “We’re all paired up now. We could be du
bbed the lovey-dovey table of East Willow High!” He grinned and looked between all of us as if that was the best freaking idea of the century and he expected a standing ovation.
“How about ‘hell no’?” I said with a shudder. “We don’t need that cringe-fest.”
“Why not? It’s like destiny or something.” Marcus looked at Kevin with love in his eyes. “We all found each other.”
Kevin giggled. “You’re right.”
Sarah caught Hayden’s hand and smiled at him. “We really did.”
Hayden smiled back at her, and the love for her in his eyes was visible all the way from Africa. It was palpable, that connection they had, that knowledge that no matter what they went through, they were going to come out of it stronger. I saw the same look in Blake’s eyes as he met Jess’s gaze, and for a moment, the whole table grew quiet, like in those movies where time stopped and everyone gazed adoringly into each other’s eyes.
It was supposed to be sickening, and I was supposed to roll my eyes at it. I didn’t care about such nauseating displays of love. Only, I didn’t feel like I wanted to vomit and burn this moment from my memory. My heart beat faster because of the person next to me, whom I’d ended up stuck with. Or he’d ended up stuck with me. Either way, it was probably the best thing that had ever happened to me.
Masen was already looking at me when I looked at him. I found the same fire in his eyes, the same longing, and I let myself soak it in. It was all fresh, and it was like I was dreaming and was going to wake up to another day of just surviving, but I knew this guy right here wouldn’t let me go back to who I’d been. And even if I slipped up, he would be there to knock some sense into me. And I would do the same for him.
Huh. I guess after everything, we actually did make each other better people.
I hadn’t been aware I’d moved. My lips touched his briefly, but the kiss affected me a lot nevertheless. I pulled away and grinned because he looked as though the kiss had affected him the same way.
“So, T is dead, and the gang is history,” Hayden said. “Never thought this day would come.”
Masen’s smile fell. I’d been surprised when I heard T and a few of his closest cronies had been killed when they’d tried to flee. They had opened fire on the police, who in the end took them down, ending T and his shitty gang. Good riddance.
Masen and I were more than lucky that night. The same could not be said for other racers and members—most importantly, Ryder and his goons—who were now sitting in jail, awaiting their trials. They were going to be in prison for a long time. As for the rest of the members . . . I didn’t doubt they would join other gangs, unfortunately.
Sar, Jess, and Kev couldn’t believe me when I told them about Sunday night. I, myself, felt like the police chase and the hiding were just parts of a freaky dream. I kept expecting the cops to pound on my door at any second. But we were in the clear.
Masen growled. “They could’ve waited until after the race. I almost had it.” His hand fisted on the table.
“So, what now?” Blake asked. “You did a few regular races here and there. You should call your old contacts and get back in the game. I’m sure you’ll end up going pro.”
“Easier said than done,” Masen said. “I have to juggle college and work. It will be even harder for me. And I have to get a new car.”
“If anyone can do that, it’s you,” Hayden said.
I looked at Masen. “You raced at local tracks?”
He shrugged his shoulder. “Yeah. A few times.”
Blake snorted. “Look at him acting modest.” He met my gaze. “He’s not just your average racer. He always won.”
I grinned at Masen. “I knew you were good, but I didn’t know you were, like, a racing legend.”
Now it was his turn to snort. “Of course I am. I’m the best.”
I rolled my eyes. Such a show-off, as always. But it wasn’t all just bragging. I’d seen firsthand on Sunday that driving was in his blood. I’d felt the power that circulated through him when he was behind the wheel. He was the most comfortable there, and he knew exactly what he was doing. It would be a waste of talent if he didn’t race anymore.
“Give it a shot,” Hayden said. “I heard they’re looking for new drivers in New Haven. You’re in luck.”
“Yeah, I agree,” I said. “It’s a sign from the mighty universe that you should try out.”
His expression was pensive as he held my gaze. He’d told me he wouldn’t join another gang if T went down, but it was easy to be led by money. He would do anything for Eli, even be this stubborn fool who would resort to earning dirty money. But that would be forsaking his dreams and happiness.
He scratched his jaw. Finally, he said, “I’ll think about it.”
There was an emotion in his eyes that hadn’t been there before, and I just knew. He was trying to be a better person for me. As hard as it was for him, he would do it.
Everything was new between us, and I had yet to get used to the idea of a future with him by my side, but I felt deep inside that it was all going to be all right. We were going to work it out.
I winked at him. “You better. If not, you’ll have trouble with my fist.” I balled my hand and nudged his shoulder.
“Ouch!” He rubbed his shoulder as if I’d rammed a hammer into it and destroyed it completely. “I’ve had enough of your fists to last me a lifetime. Ever thought about joining WWE?”
“Thanks for the idea! I’ll most definitely consider it.” I stuck out my tongue at him.
“I’m curious,” Marcus said. “How did you two hook up?” He divided a grin between me and Masen. “It wasn’t a secret that you were ready to shed each other’s blood.”
Kevin giggled. “That’s true. We could feel t-t-tension every single time. You’re at, at, at it even now.”
I attacked my vegetables with a shrug. “I tamed the beast with my whip. That’s all.”
Hayden snorted. “The beast itself says.”
I gave him my signature frown. “That’s rich coming from you, since you’re the master beast. No one can compete with you, Haydee Bumblebee.”
“It’s more like I tamed her,” Masen quipped before Hayden could unleash his, no doubt, ultimate comeback. “Now she can’t keep her hands off me.”
“Sure, I can’t keep my hands off you, because I’m trying to strangle you for good.”
Jess giggled, looking back and forth between us.
“What?” I asked her.
“You two are perfect for each other. It’s so cute how you keep bickering.”
I looked at her from under my lashes. “Cute? That’s not cute! I’ll get an ulcer because of him.”
Masen rolled his eyes. “You’ll get an ulcer just because you’re breathing. You keep getting annoyed with every single thing.” He placed his hands on my shoulders and started massaging me. “Relax. Take a deep breath.”
His hands did magic on my shoulders, unlocking the tension in my muscles instantly. I wished I could just lie down and close my eyes, sedated by his touch. Tension and I were still best buddies, but I was making headway.
“I wonder who’s going to be the p-prom king and queen,” Kevin said.
“That’s easy. I’m going to be the king,” Masen said. “Satan is going to be my servant.”
“Ha! In which universe?” I snapped my fingers in his face. “Wake up. You’re the one who’s going down on his knees.”
He smirked at me. “Honey, I’ll be on my knees whenever you want. Your pus—”
I pressed my hand over his mouth as the whole table burst out laughing. I was going to kill him. Slowly and mercilessly. I swear.
Hayden smirked at Masen. “Pussy whipped,” he sing-sang.
Masen showed him his middle finger.
Sar watched us with a smile I couldn’t quite read. Hayden noticed this too. “What are you thinking about?” he asked her, running the back of his finger along her cheek.
She smiled. “It’s just that I’m so happy.”
“Why’s that?” Kevin asked.
She looked around the table and took a deep breath, a slight blush on her cheeks. “It makes me happy to see us all like this. Just nine months ago, I sat here all by myself, and I felt like I would be alone forever.” She looked at her lap. Hayden covered her hand with his.
“You’ll never be alone again,” he said so quietly I could barely hear him, but the conviction in his words echoed loudly.
She smiled at him. “I know.” She looked at Jess, then me, and then the rest of the table. “We all have each other now.”
Jess nodded with a smile. “That’s right. And even when we all go to college, we’ll stay in touch, right?”
“Yes.” Kevin nodded energetically. He pushed his glasses up his nose. “Definitely.”
Except for Jess and Blake, who were going to New York, the rest of us would be relatively close together. Hayden and Sarah were going to New Haven, and Kev and Marcus to Hartford. As for me and Masen, we were staying in the good old Enfield, so it would be easy to see each other once we started college. Unless we killed each other during summer, which was more likely to happen.
“I’ll miss you all,” Jess said.
“We’ll miss you, too,” I said. “You and Blake play nice in New York, ‘kay? Don’t party too much and stay sober. Your liver will be grateful when you reach your thirties.”
“You, too,” Blake piped up. “Don’t kill Mace. Mace, we give you permission to kill her. You’ll be doing the world a favor.”
Hayden smirked. “I’d pay to see that.”
I rolled my eyes before I leaned in and looked conspiratorially at Sar and Jess. “Girls, do me a favor and poison their drinks while they’re not looking, all right? I’ll give you all of my future millions as a reward.”
The table went into another round of laughter, and then we continued talking about prom and other people’s dates.
Before lunchtime was over, I took Sar and Jess out onto the patio. I’d been avoiding the topic of my past for so long, always directing our conversations away from it, but I was finally ready to tell them about that night and why I’d never wanted to date. Despite the flutters of nervousness in my belly, it felt more than right.