From my first scan of the place, it seemed that Mason had yet to show up. Immediately, his absence sent a painful stab of fear into my heart. Had he already heard back from the CT scan? If it was bad news, there was no way he’d show up tonight. I couldn’t blame him. If I were him, I’d be beneath my covers with a king-sized Butterfinger and Pride & Prejudice on repeat.
“Hey, it’s our song!” Mandy danced in front of me to the beat of the music pulsing through the speakers. Her blonde hair flew around her, making her look like a crazed sort of angel.
Audrey and Collin were around here somewhere, too. I’d driven them all in my little Chevy. But I hadn’t minded. It was way too cold for Audrey to ride on the back of her boyfriend’s motorcycle. Plus, I was thankful for the distraction. My mind seemed to keep wanting to rehash the events of today whenever I got a free moment — including now.
“Come on, Trina,” Mandy said, grabbing my hands. “What’s bothering you? You love this song.”
Guilt pooled in my gut. My friends had been looking forward to this party all week, but I just couldn’t enjoy it. Not until I knew Mason was safe.
“I’m sorry,” I yelled, swaying my body in an attempt to shake off this funk. “I didn’t mean to ruin your fun. I’ll try to be better.”
She stopped moving and gave me a stern look. “You didn’t ruin my fun. You’re allowed to have bad days, you know. Not even Trina Frye has to be sunshiny all the time. I’m your bestie, so if you need to vent, I’m here for you.”
I wanted to spill to her everything that had happened today. About my fears that everything was falling apart. That I couldn’t muscle my way through this one with that famous Trina smile. And worst of all, that the boy I once thought to be invincible could be moments away from finding out the worst news of his life. But I couldn’t say it. If I even mentioned it aloud, it might come true. The best thing to do right now was just to focus on something else.
“Thanks, M, I really appreciate it, but I think I just need to dance it off right now,” I told her as the song changed to something with a quick tempo and deep bass.
She grinned and popped two thumbs up. We bounced wildly to the song until I was sure my brain had turned into scrambled eggs. As the music changed to something slower and people began to pair off, my eyes focused on the other side of the room.
Polly stood just inside the darkened hallway. She had her hands up and was gesturing wildly at the guy standing in front of her. I recognized him as Ethan Richards, a senior on the track team. Neither of them looked very happy. In fact, I was pretty sure they were fighting. And as Polly made a disgusted face, Ethan turned away and stormed to the kitchen, abandoning her in the dark.
I wasn’t sure whether the sight should’ve made me happy or sad. It was never good to see a couple break up, but if Ethan Richards and Polly were on the rocks, that meant we had an opening. Mason had an in. All we had to do was act. Fast.
Project Happiness was a go.
It took two seconds for my brain to kick into action. With a muttered I’ll be back to Mandy, I worked my way through the crowded room and over to Polly. She was leaning up against the wall with her arms crossed over her chest and her lips pulled down into a scowl, looking like the world had fallen around her. I touched her gently on the arm and she jumped, her eyes widening in surprise.
“Oh, hi, Trina.” She swallowed hard and tried to smile, but failed. “What’s up?”
“Can I talk to you for a second?”
My mind was whirling, running at a pace that was impossible to rein in. What I’d discovered today in the hospital had set everything into overdrive. If dressing Mason up and teaching him how to write love notes wasn’t going to get him back with Polly for his happily-ever-after, then I needed to intervene. No, it wasn’t part of the plan, but desperate times called for desperate measures. There was no other way. I had to make this happen.
“Yeah, I guess.” She looked over my shoulder at the party behind us. “What’s this about?”
“It’s about Mason.”
Her eyes darkened. “Okay...”
I took a deep breath and willed myself to pick the right words to convince Polly that I was for real. “I know that you guys broke up, but he’s been trying to change to get you back. You just have to give him a chance.”
Surprise lit up her face. “Seriously? I thought that the two of you were hooking up. You’re always together lately.”
I shook my head. “No, we’re just friends. Nothing more.”
It wasn’t the first time I’d said those words, but this was the first they’d tasted so bitter on my tongue. I ran a hand over my neck and tried to swallow it down. What was wrong with me?
“Are you sure, Trina?” Polly stared into my eyes, her own narrowing in concern. “We weren’t really very good for each other even when we were together. Is this really what Mason wants?”
“Honestly, he needs this more than ever. I think he’s too proud to say it, but he needs your support. He’s going through a rough time.”
Polly’s attitude shifted. Her arms dropped to her sides and she took a step closer to me, concern written in the lines of her frown. “Why? What’s going on? What’s happening?”
A dull pain started in my chest, like heartburn crawling its way up my throat. It felt like desperation. Maybe Mason couldn’t bring himself to tell Polly about his situation, but I was his friend. I was in charge of his happiness. He needed someone to care for him right now. He needed her.
“Let’s just say he’s waiting to hear back on some news from the doctor,” I said, wrapping my arms around my stomach. It hurt just to think about what that news could be.
She inhaled sharply, then leaned toward me. “Is it the cancer? Is it back?”
I hated to put her through this again. I got an instant flashback to seeing her after her dad’s funeral. It wasn’t fair. Life stunk sometimes. She and Mason both deserved a lifetime of good things after what had happened to them. Why did bad things happen to good people?
“He had a scan today,” I said in a low voice, looking around to make sure no one could hear us. “I’m sure he’ll know more soon.”
She bit her lower lip, her eyes shining with both surprise and worry. At the very least, it made me glad to see her react to the news. She still cared about Mason. It was a good sign. And when they got together again, she would take care of him.
That thought sent a dagger through my gut. Polly and Mason. It was meant to be. No matter what childish, selfish feelings I had of my own, I would be better than that. I would fight to see this plan through.
Project Happiness had taken a more serious turn than I ever could’ve expected. When it was my summer art camp at stake, it had been pressure enough. But now, it was everything.
Polly shifted her feet and ran her hands up and down her arms. With a nod of her head, she sniffed. “Okay, I’ll think about what you said. Thanks so much for telling me.”
“No problem. I just want to see you both happy.”
She smiled gratefully and moved past me to get back to the party. As I stood there, glued to the carpet, my eyes swept over the rest of the room. Audrey and Collin had rejoined Mandy in the living room and were all dancing together. They looked carefree and full of joy, just as any teenager should be.
The sight made me happy, in a pained sort of way. I wished I could join them and forget everything that was bad in the world, but these tentacles of worry and doubt had wrapped themselves tight around my heart and refused to let go.
I couldn’t stand there any longer. Not with these feelings that were so big I was afraid they’d consume me whole. I moved toward the back door and onto the impressive wrap-around porch that Savannah’s parents had built for their massive Victorian-style home. In the corner was a beautiful wooden swinging bench overlooking the dark and grassy field beyond it.
My breath came out in white puffs as I made my way to the swing. The night was eerily quiet, except for the muffled sounds of the party from th
e house. It seemed that the cold January weather had kept everyone else inside.
I sat down on the hard surface of the swing and kicked my feet off, finding a small bit of comfort in the rocking motion. Hugging my knees to my chest, I sat like that for about a minute before the soft pad of footsteps sounded behind me, a dark figure appearing beside the swing.
“Now, this is my kind of party,” Mason said, looking down at me. Even in the half-darkness of the porch, I could see the beginning of a smile on his lips.
My heart did a flip at the sight of him. He was here. Mason was here. That had to mean that he hadn’t had bad news from the doctor — yet.
“Are you sure you don’t want to go inside?” I asked, glancing over my shoulder at the yellow glow coming through the windows of the house. “I know there are some people in there who would love to see you.”
Polly would want to find him. Talk to him. I just knew it.
“Nah, that can wait. I could use a little fresh air, even if it’s freezing.”
He sat on the swing next to me, moving us gently with his feet. At one point, he stripped off his canvas coat he wore over a hoodie and handed it over to me, not saying a word. As much as I hated taking away his protection against the cold, I was shivering in my little cotton dress and leggings.
His jacket was still warm from his body heat as I wrapped it over my shoulders and pulled it tight around me. The feel of it made me strangely happy. It was the closest I was ever going to be to him, but I’d take it. If only for this moment. And as I buried my face in the collar, I was surprised to catch a whiff of the cologne I’d picked out for him at the mall. He must’ve gone back and bought a bottle. That knowledge made me smile into the folds of his jacket.
We sat like that in silence, just watching the grassy field. It was nice. For once, I had no desire to fill the quiet with empty words or questions. I could sit next to Mason forever and not feel bored.
It was several minutes later when the slight noise of Mason clearing his throat brought my attention back to his face. He shifted in his seat, his movement causing the swing to come to a stop. “Trina, I have to tell you something.”
I held my breath, not sure what Mason could have to admit to me. Was it more bad news? I didn’t think my heart could take anything else.
“I almost didn’t come to the party tonight. I probably wrote a dozen versions of a text to you making up reasons why I couldn’t come.”
A sigh of relief escaped my lips. As far as news went, that wasn’t so bad. I smiled softly as my gaze met his. “I’m glad you changed your mind. I would’ve missed you.”
If Mason hadn’t shown up tonight, I think I would’ve gone crazy with worry. But now, we could move on with the project.
He turned to face the field, a thoughtful frown on his lips. It was as if I could see the wheels in his head turning. Emotions flitted across his face. Finally, with an impatient grunt, he turned to me and leaned closer, until I could see the dark scruff covering his jawline.
“I know this isn’t a part of your famous plan, but I have to say something or I won’t be able to live with myself,” he said, his voice lowering.
He pinned me with a heated expression which made a jolt of electricity run right through my stomach. Dread and excitement filled me all at once. Whatever he was going to say next, he could never take back. I had the feeling it was something big. Something that would change everything between us.
I didn’t know whether to stay frozen there or run away.
“Trina, the only reason I came out tonight was to see you. Only you.” He blinked and looked down at his hands, uncurling his fists and flexing his fingers. “I think...no. I know. I know that I’m falling for you.”
The sound of rushing blood filled my ears. I couldn’t focus on his words. Every reasonable thought had flown from my head. All I could think about was the freezing cold, the heat of his jacket, and the way he was looking at me right now. In a way that no one in my life had ever looked at me before.
Like he wanted me.
Chapter Seventeen
I exhaled a large cloud of white breath, my lungs collapsing in my ribcage beneath a stampeding heart. Even with the cold evening air, my cheeks blazed red hot. Mason had just confessed that he was falling for me.
Never in my life had I felt so confused.
He reached over and grabbed my hand hidden within the folds of his jacket. His freezing skin sent goosebumps up my arm as he interlaced his fingers with mine.
A jumble of emotions went through my mind all at once. I tightened his jacket around me with my free hand, shaking my head.
“What...what do you mean you’re falling for me?”
Maybe this was a total miscommunication. Boys never made much sense to me and they never seemed to understand me either. This could be one of those times. My selfish heart could be reading into his words what it wanted to hear. I held on tight to his hand, willing him to put my anxiety to rest.
“I mean...” He bared his teeth and grunted as if he hated that I was making him spell this out. “I mean that you’re all that I can think about. I see you in my sleep. I dream about your smile, your touch, your voice. You’re beautiful in every way. I think about you when I’m on the court. I look for you in the stands whenever I make a shot. I can’t stop and I had to tell you tonight or I don’t think I’d ever forgive myself.”
His words swept over me like a tropical ocean breeze, warming me to my tiptoes. A giddy feeling danced in my gut and I had the sneaking suspicion that my insides were glowing like a firefly. Mason Finnick dreamed about me. He wanted me.
Never had I experienced anything so unexpected.
My silence must’ve made him nervous, because he ran a hand over his head and groaned. “Gah, I didn’t mean to freak you out. That was too much. This is why I usually keep my mouth shut.” He squeezed his eyes closed and then peeked at me with a grimace. “Have I totally made you hate me?”
It was kind of endearing watching him sweat. Mason couldn’t make me hate him, even if he tried. He was sweet and giving. His brooding nature was good at hiding the tenderhearted man beneath the scowl. In just a short time, I’d come to realize that there was more to Mason than the sarcasm and the frown. There was so much to like about him.
“I’d never hate you,” I said softly.
Before I knew what I was doing, I’d reached out and run my fingertips along his cheek. It was rough, his scruff like sandpaper against my skin. I liked it. It reminded me of the coarse bristle brushes I used for my oil paintings last year in Mixed Media Art class. He closed his eyes, leaning into my touch, and covered my hand with his own.
“Trina...” I loved the way he said my name. It was husky and low, the two syllables packed with longing. His eyes flicked open and he slid closer on the bench, until there was no room left between us. His chest rose and fell with a heavy breath. “You have no idea how many times I’ve wanted to do this.”
He wetted his lips with his tongue, immediately drawing my gaze to his mouth. How long had I stared at those lips, wanting to kiss them? They were perfectly formed, like on a priceless painting. What would it hurt to give into those urges for once? To take what I wanted.
His hand found its way to my hip, gently pulling me toward him until I was practically in his lap. He worked his other hand into the baby-fine hair at the base of my neck, his gaze never leaving my face. The touch of his fingertips on my skin was like fire. They scorched wherever they touched.
My breath hitched when he leaned in closer, his lips only inches from mine. “Kiss me, Trina.”
It wasn’t a command, but more like a pleading request that hit me in my very core. My fingers curled tight around the edges of his jacket, my hands trembling. So many alarm bells were going off inside my brain that I couldn’t make heads or tails out of any of it. The only thing that I understood was a deep-seated and hungry sensation that propelled me forward, not stopping until my lips met his.
They were surprisingly soft
and gentle, although I could feel his fingers simultaneously tightening in the curls behind my neck. His mouth moved against mine in a rhythm that was almost hypnotic. Sweet and giving. Gentle, yet urgent. There was no hesitation. I matched his pace and found my hands pressed to his hard chest, the taste of peppermint filling my mouth.
Delicious waves of electricity ran up and down my spine as he moved both of his hands to cradle my head. I fell into his kiss, not caring about the cold or the party going on just a few feet away from us. I wanted more of him. And as I tugged gently on his lower lip, Mason pulled me closer with a low growl, his mouth conquering mine in a fervor that proved just how much he’d been holding back.
My hands were everywhere. Feeling along his muscular arms, weaving through his unbelievably soft hair, and caressing the hard lines of his jaw. The Mason kissing me wasn’t fragile or weak. There was nothing in the strength of his kiss or the steady touch of his hands as he held me close that suggested otherwise. He was wonderfully whole and confident. The way he stroked the pad of his thumb along my cheek and tenderly down my neck had the power to undo me. Every fiber of my being was reaching out for him. Wanting him.
Even if this moment wasn’t meant to last.
Mason was the first to pull away, his breathing labored. He rested his forehead against mine and sighed, his thumb still caressing my cheek.
“We should probably slow down,” he said, his voice hoarse.
I knew he was right. This was too much, too fast. But my heart thundered in my chest as every nerve in my body begged for more.
So instead, I contented myself with closing my eyes and feeling the warmth of his breath mingle with my own.
Dare You to Date the Point Guard (Rock Valley High Book 2) Page 12