Mason Maloney

I didn't want to have to be hanging out with Bella and her friends before the football playoff game on Friday afternoon, but I was. Ross was out on a date with Liza, since he finally got the courage to ask her out, while I was stuck with Pete, Bella, and Bella's friends. Including Wendy, who wouldn't stop looking at me and trying to talk to me.

Every time I looked to Pete for help, he was too preoccupied flirting with another one of Bella's friends, Cami. All of my hopes that Pete would take Wendy off of my hands were lost when he seemed to have all of his attention on his interest in Cami.

"Mason," Wendy interrupted my thoughts, placing her manicured hand on my arm. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," I answered quickly and blandly, shifting so her hand slipped from my arm.

All I wanted to do was pull out my phone and text Sam, but he was busy preparing for his own playoff game. If both Sam and Nathan won their games tonight, it would mean that the two of them would face each other in the state championship game for their division, so tonight was a big deal for both of them.

Wendy frowned when I distanced myself from her, but I couldn't find it in me to feel bad. It wasn't like I was leading her on. I had never given her any inclination to think I had reciprocated those feelings for her. After a while, I thought she would get the hint, but unfortunately she still hadn't.

"Do you want some fries?" Wendy asked me timidly, sliding her plate over to offer me some of her food.

"No, thanks," I replied, a forced smile on my lips.

I sent Pete another pleading look, but he was still too focused on Cami to pay attention to me. I cleared my throat and nudged Pete's arm with my elbow to get him to look at me. Pete turned from Cami to give me an annoyed look while I widened my eyes to plead with him to pay attention to me.

"Hey Wendy," Pete said, grabbing Wendy's attention away from me, "What book are you picking next for your book club?"

Wendy's face brightened up immediately and her eyes widened in delight while she animatedly discussed the book she had picked out, seemingly forgetting about me for the moment. Pete's distraction worked while the entire table seemed to be interested in what Wendy had to say about the book club. With everyone's eyes on her, I pulled out my phone to send Sam a quick text.

Good luck tonight, handsome

I was sure he wouldn't be able to get back to me until after the game, but I wanted to show him my support anyway. Playoff football around here was ten times more intense than in season football. The coaches worked their players practically to death to ensure their spot in the championship game. Sam already told me he would have to take next week off from work if his team made it to the championship because his coach would be extending practices everyday.

Excitement filled me as soon as I realized just how close the end of the football season was. In a week, there would be one winner, and Nathan and Sam would no longer be opponents (until college, that is). Once the season was over, I could be out openly dating Sam and I felt as though I couldn't wait any longer. I wouldn't have to hide my relationship from my friends and family and I wouldn't have to deal with getting hit on by Wendy anymore.

Next week really couldn't come any faster for me.

"Mase!" Pete yelled, nudging me hard in the back.

I rubbed the spot he hit. "What?"

"We're heading out, let's go," he told me, motioning his head toward the exit of the diner.

I stood up and followed Pete out the door while the girls followed behind us. I heard Bella talking about some book the girls had read together, but I didn't pay attention as I grabbed Pete's arm to pull him closer to me.

"Please let me ride with you," I whispered desperately.

"I told Cami she could come with me," Pete answered, shaking his head and pulling his arm out of my grasp.

"Please," I pleaded. "I can't be near Wendy."

Pete chuckled and blew out a long breath. "Dude, you need to just tell her to back off if you don't like her like that which, by the way, I don't understand why you don't. She's cute and really into you and it's not like you've been getting any action lately."

I glared at him and set my jaw tightly, "I'm riding with you."

Pete rolled his eyes. "Whatever, bro. I don't get why you're so scared of Wendy."

"I'm not scared of her," I retorted in an offended tone. "I don't want to have to reject her. I want her to just get that I'm not into her."

"We'll meet you guys at the game?" Bella interrupted as we approached the cars. Cami looked as if she didn't know whether she should get in with Bella or Pete. I walked over to Pete's passenger seat, hoping to make the decision easier for her.

"Yeah, see you there," I rushed out, quickly getting into Pete's car.

"Dude!" Pete exclaimed once he was in the car and the door was shut. "You should've gotten in the back so Cami would have come!"

"You can get with her after the game," I told him, leaning back on the headrest.

"I wish Ross was here so you could ride with him," Pete grumbled, starting the car.

"Stop complaining," I replied.

"I just don't get why you can't get with Wendy!" Pete yelled, looking at me briefly as he pulled out of the parking lot. "Just hook up with her or something to satisfy her."

"I don't like her," I told him in an annoyed tone, "and that wouldn't make her leave me alone."

Pete groaned, shaking his head. "She's hot, she's gonna think you're gay or something if you don't make a move on her. No guy in their right mind would be turning her down."

Instead of answering him, I let out a huff and crossed my arms over my chest. Pete was one of the people I was a little worried about finding out I was gay. It wasn't that he was extremely homophobic and would hate me for it, but he would be the one to start acting weird around me.

I reached out and turned up the radio when I heard the beginning of Somebody To Love start. If anything at that moment could put me in a good mood, it was that song. It reminded me of Sam and the way he sang incredibly off key in the bakery as he danced around with the broom in his hands, being my favorite version of himself. The version that was carefree, charming, and light on his feet. I was sure I had fallen in love while watching him like that in the bakery before I even knew that was what I was feeling.

The song abruptly stopped when Pete pulled in our school parking lot and almost immediately shut the car off and got out. I rolled my eyes at his actions. He was just being pissy because I got in his way with Cami. I didn't understand why he cared so much. It wasn't like he was going to care about her in a week, he never did with the girls he got involved with.

When we reached the bleachers, I immediately spotted Ross and Liza who had saved seats for us. I rushed over so I could sit on the other side of Ross on the end of the bleachers, ensuring Wendy wouldn't be able to sit next to me. It was pathetic, that much I knew, but I was desperate.

"Hey guys," I greeted as I slid past Ross and Liza, forcing them to slide down so I could sit on the end, beside the railing.

Ross chuckled. "You trying to get away from Wendy?"

He knew me too well.

"And Pete," I replied. "He's mad at me."

"What's wrong with Wendy?" Liza asked confusedly, leaning over Ross to talk to me.

"She likes him and he doesn't like her back," Ross explained to which Liza nodded in understanding.

Ross turned to me and asked, "And why is Pete mad at you?"

I sighed, scratching the back of my neck. "Apparently he's got a thing for Cami now and they were going to ride here together but I made him let me ride with him so I could get away from Wendy."

Both Ross and Liza laughed loudly at what I had told them as the rest of the group made their way to the bleachers. I glanced briefly at Wendy to see that she seemed to be in deep conversation with Cami and not even noticing that I was going to be so far away from her.

"And," I continued in a whisper after the rest of the group greeted Ross and Liza. "He was getting all mad at me for not being into Wendy."

Ross and Liza gave me matching looks of confusion.

"Why?" Ross asked in a low tone.

"He said I'm going to make her think I'm gay if I don't show interest in her," I explained with a knowing look.

Ross's expression darkened and he seemed slightly angry at what I had told him, but he didn't let that show to Liza.

"Maybe you should just let her think you're gay so she will leave you alone," Liza joked with a slight grin.

I smirked. "Not a bad idea."

"Don't let Pete try to make you feel bad for not liking her," Ross said seriously, leaning closer to me so no one else would hear. "I wish he wouldn't say shit like that to you. I know he doesn't know, but he's still stupid for saying it."

I just shrugged. "It doesn't really matter."

I wasn't really offended by what Pete had said, I was just unsettled because I was thinking about how he would react once he found out what he said was true. He would probably think I had a crush on him at some point which was absolutely not true.

The game started soon after and the crowd was riled up as soon as the kickoff happened. Nathan won the coin toss and decided to receive the ball in the second half, like he always did when he won.

The team was quick to stop the other team's offense from scoring and Nathan was jogging out onto the field sooner than expected. This caused our side of the field to cheer loudly. The bleachers were shaking so much that I reached out to hold onto the railing next to me. When Nathan and our offense scored the first touchdown of the game, the cheers were deafening. Everyone on our side was on their feet.

The rest of the game didn't go by as easily for the Warriors. The other team fought back hard, but the Warriors seemed to fight harder. At the end, the score ended up being 35 to 21 in favor of the Warriors. If I thought the bleachers were too shaky before, it was even worse after the game was won.  People jumped from their seats and rushed down onto the field to congratulate the team.

As I walked with my friends out to the parking lot, I whipped out my phone and smiled when I saw I had a text from Sam.

We won :) I think you might be my good luck charm...

Congrats!!! ❤  I think you don't need any luck.

We texted back and forth for a few more minutes before Sam had to go celebrate with his team. I was glad he was going to do that since it seemed like he never had the chance to hang out with them outside of football.

"Need a ride?" Ross asked me, forcing me to look up from my phone. Liza stood beside him, their hands intertwined.

"Nah," I replied. "I'll ride with Bella I guess. I don't want to butt in on your date."

"Don't worry about it!" Liza interjected. "We're just going home anyway. Besides, wouldn't want you to get harassed by Wendy."

Ross laughed, looking down at her briefly before nodding in agreement.

"Seriously, just come with us," he said. "I'll drop you off first."

"Alright," I agreed, following Ross and Liza to the car.

We made small talk on the way to my house and I was quick to jump out when we got there, not wanting to intrude on their date any more than I already had. Mom and Dad were home by the time I got there, both obviously excited about the outcome of the game.

"Oh, Nathan must be so happy," Mom enthused, clapping her hands together as I walked into the living room.

I laughed, shaking my head. "You know him, he won't be happy until he's won the whole thing. And even then, I'm not so sure."

"He's hard on himself," Dad agreed from where he sat on the couch. "But it pays off for him."

"Man, that was an exciting game," Mom cheered with a wide smile. "I don't know if I'll even be able to sleep! My adrenaline is so high, I can't even imagine how Nathan feels."

I was excited for my brother too, but that wasn't going to keep me from sleeping tonight. Soon after I got home, I made my way up the stairs to get ready for bed. I looked at my phone to see that I had another text from Sam.

Wish I could see you tonight :(

A smiled crept up on my face as I read the message. It seemed like anything he said had the ability to put a smile on my face. My expression staying the same, I quickly answered his message.

Have fun with your team, you deserve it.

You're more fun to be with

How about I go over tomorrow?

Hm... yes please

An uncharacteristic giggle escaped my mouth as I read his message. Usually, I would hate myself for that, but I couldn't find it in me to care.

It's a date then

Perfect, miss you

My heart swelled.

I miss you too. I'm heading to bed.

Sweet dreams, Mase ❤

I was sure all of my dreams would be sweet as long as he was involved with them.

**

Okay! So Sam and Nathan will be playing against each other in the championship. Any predictions on who will win? Who do you want to win?

Also, I just want to let everyone know, because I've been getting a lot of questions about it, as of right now there will not be a sequel to this book. This could change if I get the inspiration for it, but writing takes a lot out of me so I think if I were to write a sequel it would be hard for me to keep up with an update schedule because I've been writing about these characters for so long I need to write about something different. However, I have drafted some of the last few chapters and they're LONG and I also have plans for about six bonus chapters after this book is done so you guys will be getting some content after it's done so don't worry!

But I WILL have a new bxb book coming out when this one ends and I'm pretty excited about it :) I think that one might only have updates once a week because it's going to come out when I go back to school so it'll be hard to keep up this schedule, but we'll see.