Page 124 of Game Plan

Craig gave my forearm a squeeze. “It’s never too late to do the right thing.”

I let out a sarcastic laugh. “I could say the same thing to you.”

“It’s not the same. If I tell her what actually went down, she’ll want to fix it, and if she does that, she’ll end up sacrificing her own future for me. I can’t allow that. It would be very selfish of me to make her choose.”

“Have you talked to her since you broke things off?”

He shook his head. “If I do, I won’t be able to hide the truth from her any longer. She’ll tell me she deserves explanations, and I don’t wanna lie anymore.”

“Would it be so terrible to tell her the truth?”

“As I said, she’ll want to fix things, and I will feel responsible if she’s not chasing her dreams. And who knows? One day, she might realize it too and hate me for it. I’m not taking any chances.”

I rested my head on his shoulder, hoping to bring him a little peace. “I’m sorry.”

“Me too.”

“Wanna have lunch with us? Mase is making burritos.”

“I don’t think so.”

I jumped to my feet and injected myself with a little zest. “Let’s make a deal. I’ll help you clean this place up”—I scanned the mess all around me—“and in exchange, you eat with us.” I moved toward the window, drew back the drapes to welcome the sunlight, and cracked it open, letting the crisp November air slip inside. “If I didn’t know any better, I would think you were a vampire.”

Craig’s lips curled up. “At this point, I might be.”

I pointed to the corner by the door. “Dirty clothes in a pile there. Clean clothes on the bed.” I noticed empty plates and glasses on the floor. “I’ll take these to the kitchen. When I get back, we’ll fold and hang your pants and shirts, then change the bedsheets and vacuum the floor. Just sort out your clothes while I’m gone. I’ll be back in a minute.”

“I didn’t know you possessed a bossy bone in you, Melinda Shepard.”

“Well, I even possess a backbone these days. College can do that to a girl.” With my arms full, I reached for the door and pulled it open. “Get started, Pierce. I don’t have all day.” I winked, and amusement danced in his gaze.

In the kitchen, I stacked the dirty dishes in the sink.

“What’s all that?” Mason asked as he finished dicing tomatoes and added them to a bowl filled with cilantro. “Are you housing some creature in a closet somewhere? Is it a bone-y? I’m pretty sure you’re already playing with one almost every night. Why would you need two?”

“I wish it were a bunny, but nah. I’m helping your brother out.”

He dropped the knife not he counter and spun around. “What?”

“Long story short. I offered to help him clean his room.”

“And he agreed? I’m not even allowed to enter his bedroom nowadays.”

I shrugged. “I didn’t really give him a choice. I gotta go back up there.” I moved to my tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “Oh, and make sure there’s enough food for three.”

“He’s eating with us?”

“Yep.”

He locked his hands around my waist and nuzzled my cheek with his nose. “Fuck, you’re hot. How did you accomplish this? It sounds like a miracle. My mom would hug you if she were here. She’s been worried.”

“I can be convincing when I need to be. Also, Craig and I have a lot in common. He’ll be okay. Maybe not today, but eventually.”

Mason let go of me and stepped back. “You really think so?”

“Yeah. Give him more time. His heart is broken.”

He nodded. “I know. Been there.”