“Looks like you were wrong,” I say once I’m confident she can hear me. I don’t stop moving until I’m right in her personal space. Leaning into her ear, I whisper my final words. “Girls like me do win, after all.”
She gasps as if it’s a shock that I knew it was her who sent me after Noah. Who else did she really think I’d think it was?
“Only Ethan left now, but even he has standards.” I stand back and run my eyes down the length of her. “Have a great day.” My smile is wide and fake, but fucking hell, I’ve never felt better.
Flicking my hair over my shoulder, I turn and walk away from her with my head held high. That won’t be the last we hear from her, of that I’m sure, but right now, I feel on top of the world.
Amalie and Alyssa smile at me as I stalk past them and toward my English class to get the day started.
Miss Phillips sets us up with a task before sitting behind her desk and calling us all up one by one to give feedback on our “Against All Odds” paper.
“Camila,” she calls halfway through the class.
Pushing my chair out behind me, I make my way to the front of the class. A few sets of eyes burn into me. Apparently, I’m much more interesting since Mason’s public claiming of me this morning, but I ignore them and take a seat.
“I really enjoyed this, Camila. Your writing was engaging, creative, descriptive. I was really impressed.”
My smile grows as pride swells in my chest. “Can I ask what you’re thinking about majoring in at college?”
“Honestly, I have no idea. English has always been my strength, but I don’t really know what I want to do, or if I have a career in it.”
“Have you considered journalism? After reading this, I think it could really suit you.”
I pause for a few minutes, letting her suggestion roll around in my mind.
“Obviously, this paper was based on football, but I’m confident you could turn your hand to a different subject quite easily—unless, of course, sports is your thing.” I’m not sure if she takes my silence as me ignoring her. Possibly, but that’s far from the truth. In reality I’ve got tingles of excitement that have so far eluded me whenever I’ve thought about college.
“Okay, well… I’ve made a few suggestions but really nothing much. I was really impressed, Camila. Think about what I said, okay?”
“I will. Thank you so much.” I walk back to my desk with a wide smile on my face and hope bubbling up inside me. Things are starting to turn around. Hopefully, I can stop focusing on everything that’s changing but embrace all the new things. Mason, college, our future.
By the time lunch rolls around, I’m desperate to see Mason and tell him about what Miss Phillips said. The more I’ve thought about it, the more excited I’ve gotten at the prospect of a journalism major. I spend most of my last class looking up colleges—well, that was until I realized that I have no clue what Mason’s plans are and that I don’t want to set my heart on anything until we’ve at least had a conversation about it. For all I know, he wants to move halfway across the country, although if I know Mason at all, then I’m pretty sure he’ll want to stay fairly close for his brothers.
His usual table is still empty when I get into the cafeteria, so I grab some food and take a seat at our spot. It’s only a few minutes before Shane joins me, shortly followed by Alyssa. As expected, they both grill me about Mason. They look at me skeptically when I don’t have all that much to tell, but it’s only been a few days and I’m still trying to get my head around it all, if I’m being honest. I went from slapping him when I was so angry on Saturday night to walking into school as his girlfriend this morning. It sounds crazy even thinking it, but it’s my reality.
I know the moment he and the rest of the team walk in because a brief silence falls over the students and they all turn their way. It’s easy to see Jake, Mason, and Ethan as normal guys when you hang out with them outside of school, but to everyone else, they own this school. Realizing that I’m now a part of that is a sobering thought.
Looking over my shoulder, I find him immediately. His dark eyes lock on mine and he moves away from his crowd and directly over to me.
“Come sit with me?” I look over to Shane, seeing as Alyssa already excused herself to hit on the basketball team when they arrived. Mason watches my movement before coming a little closer. “It’s okay, we can stay here. How’s it going?” he asks Shane, dropping to the seat beside me and wrapping his arm around my shoulders. His lips land on my temple and a wave of heat washes through me.
“I’m good. Congrats, man.”
Mason nods at Shane.
“I called my boss earlier,” Mason says so only I can hear. “She’s allowing me to start later so I can do practice, but until she gets a replacement, she still needs me Monday and Tuesday night.”
My heart drops. “That sucks.”
“It’s okay. I didn’t want to just quit. Who knows how long Mom’s new job could last. We need a fall back. Plus, I like earning my own money.”
“So I won’t see you after school?”
“No, but I was hoping for a sleepover maybe.”
A smile twitches my tips. “I would say that’s a sure thing.”
“On that note,” Shane says, grabbing his tray and standing from our table, “see you later, Cam. Mason.” He nods at Mason before disappearing.
“He’s all right, you know.”
“I know.”
“And he didn’t drug Amalie, that’s not his style.”
“Never said it was. I didn’t think he had it in him either, to be honest, but with no other suspects what’s everyone supposed to think?”
“I know, it just sucks. He’s basically gone into hiding.” A silence descends around us but I soon remember what I was so excited to tell him about. “So, Miss Phillips thinks I should consider journalism.”
“That’s awesome. Where have you applied?”
“UFC, Maddison, a couple out of state, but I’m not sure I really want to move away. You?”
“I want Maddison. Their team’s awesome, plus they have a fantastic teaching department.”
A soft smile finds its way to my lips. “You want to teach?”
“I think so. My brothers have shown me how awesome kids are and how rewarding it is watching them learn. Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Because I equally hate that I didn’t know this but at the same time love that I get to know you all over again.”
“I feel the same, Cami-bear. But deep down, you were the only one who ever really knew me, and I haven’t changed, not really. I might be a little tougher skinned now, some might say an asshole, but I’m still the boy you used to play hide and seek with in the woods.”
I swoon at his words and tuck myself into his side.
“I still see him,” I admit quietly.
A couple of seconds pass as I enjoy being in the warmth of his arms before he speaks. “I’m taking you out Wednesday night after practice.”
“Out. Like a date?”
“Exactly like a date. Be ready at six.”
Excitement blooms on my belly before the sight of Chelsea and her gang of bitches catch my eyes as they arrive in the cafeteria.
“Ugh,” I complain when she locks eyes with me.
“What’s wrong?”
“Chelsea’s not thrilled about us.”
“Chelsea can fuck off. She acts like she and the rest of the squad own us. She needs to realize that the guys only keep them around because they’re so easy.”
“Nice. So tell me, boyfriend. How many of the squad have you been easy with?”
“Can I have a pass on that question?” I lift a brow at him. “I can say that I’ve never fucked Chelsea though. I always drew the line there.”
“Good to know you had some standards.” I laugh, because it’s easier than being pissed off that he didn’t answer my question. Not that I’m really sure I wanted the answer. There’s a lot to be said about ignorant bliss at times.
31
Camila
I don’t see Mason for the rest of the day as we’re in different classes, and then he heads straight to the locker room after school so he can talk to Coach and hopefully grovel for his place back on the team. I get a brief message saying everything’s fine and that he’ll see me later, but that’s it, and I hate it. I know it’s greedy and selfish, but now I’ve got him back I want him all to myself. I want to continue learning all the new things about him, the things I’ve missed out on in the last four years.
“You’re thinking about him, aren’t you?” Amalie asks, dropping in the booth in front of me and pulling what’s left of her milkshake back in front of her.
“N-No, I was thinking about the homework,” I argue.
“Fuck off, were you. You’ve got this soppy, heated look on your face. You’re so imagining what you’ll do to him when he gets home from work tonight.”
My cheeks burn. “I’m so not,” I try to argue but Amalie has none of it.
“So, Wednesday night date? Did he say what you were doing?”
“Nope, just that I had to be ready at six.”
“Mysterious. I like it.”
I laugh at her and finish my milkshake.
I spend the rest of the evening doing homework and then keeping an eye on Mason’s brothers once Nicky heads to work. I can’t wait for him to get his hours sorted, not just so he has to work less but so he can lose some of the worry in his eyes. He hates not being here for his brothers when his mom can’t be. It’s not his job, but he feels that it is. I just hope Nicky manages to stick with her new attitude and she finds a way to work and support her kids that allows Mason to live the life he deserves.
Thankfully, both boys stay in bed and asleep, so I’m not really needed. They know me well enough now, but I’m not sure I’m who they’d want if they woke up with an issue.
I climb into bed ten minutes before Mason is due home, wearing my sexiest nightwear. It’s a black lace slip that’s almost see-through. I bought it a few months ago when I thought I was going to go all the way with Noah. I shudder at the thought now, but I’m so glad I stuck to my guns and held back. I know that I’d have always regretted doing it with him, especially knowing that it could have been Mason.
My heart pounds in my toes and fingertips as I wait. He never said he’d come to me, but I can’t imagine he wants to get into his own bed alone. I’m just wondering if I should have waited in his bed instead when his car pulls up outside. By the time his feet thunder up the stairs, I’m trembling with anticipation.
His footsteps pause at his room, and my heart drops. But then the floorboard creaks and my door is slowly pushed open.
I’ve got my nightlight on so I can clearly see him slip into the room. He glances over but must assume I’m asleep. Turning away from me, he toes his shoes off before pulling his work uniform from his body. His back muscles ripple and pull as he undresses, and heat floods me knowing that body is going to be pressed up against mine at any moment.
He’s still got his back to me when I sit up, allowing the sheets to pool at my waist. And I wait.
He turns, takes a step forward and then looks up. “Oh shit.” A wicked smile curls up his lips as his eyes drop from my face in favor of my barely covered breasts. The slip is cut down low, revealing almost everything—not that the sheer lace hides much.
He stalks toward me, my panties getting wetter with each step he takes.
“Maybe working late and missing you was worth it.” He steps up to the bed then drops his last item of clothing, revealing his hard length to me. If I wasn’t sure enough already then it most definitely confirms that he likes what he sees.
He crawls up my body, taking one of my breasts in his hand before finding my lips.
“Missed you tonight, Cami-bear,” he mumbles when he kisses down my neck. “My night was long as fuck. If I knew this was waiting for me then it would have dragged even more.”
His lips trail over my chest and down the valley of my breasts before slipping the fabric aside and sucking my nipples into his mouth, alternating between the two.
“Oh god,” I whimper, my hips grinding, desperately trying to find some friction.
He pulls the covers from the bottom half of my body and throws them off the bed in his desperation. Before I know what’s happened, he’s the one lying on his back and I’m sitting across his thighs.
“Now that’s what I’m fucking talking about.” He links our hands and tugs me so I fall forward against his chest. My nipples brush against his skin and sparks of lust shoot straight for my core. My hips flex without any instruction from my brain, and Mason groans when the heat of my pussy rubs his length.
“Need you, Cami-bear. Ride me.”
My eyes fly open at the demand and nerves hit me out of nowhere. I’ve not had a moment’s hesitation with him so far, but that’s because he’s been in charge, he’s been the one calling the shots. But he’s just given me the power, and the realization that he’s been with others who are more experienced than me hits me full force.
I look away from him and close my eyes.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” His hot palm rests on my cheek and I’m forced to look at him. “Get out of your head, Cami. The only place in the world I want to be right now is here, inside you. Forget about the past and just go with it.” His fingers slip inside my panties and he moans when he finds me ready for him.
“How long have you been lying here, waiting for me?”
“Long enough,” I whisper, enjoying the feeling of his fingers teasing my entrance too much to hold a conversation about this.
“Lift up.”
I do as I’m told, and in only seconds, Mason has the lace of my panties pushed aside and he’s impaling me on his cock.
My muscles clench as I slowly lower myself down on him.
He hisses as I get lower, his teeth grinding and his jaw popping as he tries to restrain himself.
“Don’t hold back. I want everything you’ve got.” His eyes flash with heat.
With his fingers gripping onto my hips, he thrusts himself up until I’m so full of him, I swear I’m going to split in two.
“Oh, fuck.”
“You okay?”
“Yeah, yessss,” I squeal when he thrusts again.
I move with him and begin to meet his movements like for like until the sound of our skin connecting and our heavy breathing is the only thing that can be heard as we both chase our releases.
“Cam, I’m gonna—”
“Let go.”
His hips get even faster, his face tensing and the muscles in his neck straining. It’s fucking fascinating to watch. I’m totally lost to him, but the second I feel the first twitch of his release, my own hits me. My upper body sags as I’m consumed by my orgasm and the incredible guy who delivered it.
At some point, I end up on top of his chest with his arms wrapped tightly around me. His cock still twitches inside me, reigniting my own pleasure each time.
“Did you have a good night at work?”
Mason smiles and tucks a lock of my hair behind my ear. “Not really, but coming home to you certainly makes up for it.”
We lie locked in each other’s embrace, a comfortable silence falling around us. The events of the day run around my head when a thought strikes me. “Is Ethan okay?”
Mason lets out a long, pained breath. “I have no idea. Coach ended up taking him home after ripping him a new one for showing up to school in that state, but we never got to the bottom of why.”
“He’ll talk when he’s ready.” It’s the only thing I can think to say. I don’t know Ethan well enough to know how he deals with stuff, aside from getting drunk it seems.
“I’ve never seen him like that this morning. Yeah, he likes to party, he likes to drink, none of that is news to anyone, but he’s been going to the extremes recently. I’m worried about him.”
“Do you want me to try talking to him?” I offer.
&nbs
p; “Yes. No. I don’t know. I think you’re right. We’ll only get to the bottom of it when he’s ready to talk.”
Eventually we drift off to sleep in each other’s arms, and we’re exactly the same when we wake to the sun streaming in the next morning.
As promised, Nicky is there to get Charlie and Ollie up. She actually makes us all breakfast. I’m surprised, but Mason is astounded if the look on his face is anything to go by.
“I like this look on her,” he says to me while she goes to refill the coffee pot. “I hope it continues.”
“It will,” I say, hoping to keep up the positivity. Things are turning a corner for all of us. We need to start embracing it, not fearing things changing.
Ethan doesn’t show his face, and I can see the concern on Mason’s and Jake’s when they try calling him and get no answer. Something serious is going on and it’s bothering them so much, two guys who like the world to think they care about nothing, that it’s really starting to worry me. But short of showing up at his house, I have no idea what I can do to help.
* * *
I’m desperate for our date to start by the time Wednesday evening rolls around. I’d fallen asleep when Mason go home from work last night after our eventful night previously, and we haven’t had any classes together today.
I stand in the hallway waiting for his car to pull up to find out what he’s planned. I had no idea what to wear, and after standing in front of my closet for the longest time I went with a black denim skirt, a plain white shirt and a pair of boots. I didn’t want to dress up and look like an idiot. Equally, I didn’t want him to think I hadn’t made an effort.
I pull my blazer on, hoping it’s enough to dress up my outfit should I need it. My stomach clenches when I look out the window and still find it missing Mason’s car. I blow out a slow breath. He’ll be here.
When a car does pull onto the driveway, it’s not the one I was expecting. Pulling the front door open, I walk toward the little red car and lean down to talk to the driver.
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