Page 164 of Game Plan

“Mom, I’m not an addict. It was just a few times. A desperate measure because I couldn’t see a way out of this…situation. Not a habit. And I stopped. I’ve been clean for weeks now.”

“Do you even hear yourself? You’re talking like it’s nothing. It’s a big deal. A huge deal.”

“Mason, we could have helped you if you had confided in us sooner before it got too far…before it got that far.”

“Mom, I…I didn’t think, okay? I was so ashamed of myself for letting my shoulder affect my game. With pool therapy, I really was doing better… Until…until Nichols happened. He messed it all up. I know there’s no valid excuse…”

My father watched us with his arms folded over his chest, his posture rigid. “You can’t lose that scholarship, Mase. If you wanna go pro, this is your only chance. Why would you screw this up? Why would you jeopardize everything you’ve worked so hard for? Please enlighten me because it makes no sense to me. What the heck were you thinking, son? I’m so disappointed in you right now. Disappointed in your choices. I’m two seconds away from paying your coaches a visit. That’s what you would deserve for acting like such an idiot. Your health, Mase. For God’s sake, son. I’m so mad right now. I…I thought we taught you better. Your head’s usually screwed on straight. You’re smarter than this… Gosh, you’re better than this. How could you think you could heal it all by yourself without outside help…medical help. Not drugs.”

I stared at the floor. Never had I deceived my parents in such a flamboyant way before. Compared to this, playing a lame football game felt like a perfect day.

Craig, sitting on the opposite couch, said nothing. Anyway, there was nothing he could do to fix my shame—or save the situation.

As if he could read my mind, Dad turned to him. “And you.” He pointed an accusing finger at my brother. “Why would you keep quiet about that? I thought you were the mature one. I’m so freaking angry at you too. I can’t believe you lied to protect your brother. There will be consequences, boys. I just haven’t decided what they will be yet. I gotta consult with your mother first. In private.” He shook his head, looking defeated. “You’re smarter than this, guys.”

More tears clouded my vision. I had not only jeopardized my life and my sport, but I had also put my brother in trouble for something that didn’t even concern him.

Melinda, with her sick sense of timing, walked through the front door. Her smile dipped when she took in the scene. She blinked fast. “Huh…you guys look busy. I-I can come back later.”

Mom moved to her feet to greet her. “How are you doing, honey?”

“Better.”

“I’m so sorry about what you’ve been through. I’m glad you’re doing good.”

“What is this?” My girlfriend locked eyes with me. “What is going on? Did someone die?”

My mom offered her a tiny smile. “An intervention, honey. No one died. I think you’re involved too.”

“I am?”

I shook my head, hoping she would understand that she needed to get away from here. Instead, she followed my mom and sat next to me, pushing her small hand between mine. “Mase? Care to tell me what’s going on?” Now my bad judgment would also shadow her. Just how much more of an idiot could I be? My stupidity was affecting the ones I loved the most, and they had done nothing wrong. They’d only kept my fuck-ups quiet.

“It’s over, love. I messed up, and I gotta pay the price.”

“What do you mean?”

“Melinda, what do you know about Mason’s drug use?” Could my mom be any blunter? She went straight for the jugular, not missing a beat.

All color drained from my girlfriend’s face. “Huh…I…can…well…”

I squeezed her hand. “It’s okay. I told them everything.”

She blinked a few times. “You did?”

I bobbed my head. “Yep. Like a stupid fool. I blurted it all out. Long story.”

“What now?” She focused on my mom. “He’s not doing this shit anymore. He hasn’t taken anything in a long time. I’ve been keeping an eye on him.”

Shame crippled me. I swallowed. How much worse could it get? I was done lying. “I haven’t…but I almost did the night of the attack... I was in so much pain. I know it’s no excuse. You were hurting just as much. You had pain meds, though… I didn’t.”

“But you said you were done and you got rid of your stash. You promised.”

“Technically, I did, but in real life…that’s not exactly how it went down. I kept three vials…as a back-up plan or something.” By now, my grave was at least a dozen feet deep. Fresh tears blurred my vision. “I didn’t mean to take them, but I don’t know… I never threw them all away like I said I did.”

She leaped to her feet and pressed her fists to her hips, her face a mask of pain and betrayal, the weight of what I’d done clouding her eyes. “Mason Pierce, you lied to me. In my face. After we said no more lies. Are you kidding me? Earlier, you called me out on my bullshit, but you’re no better. You tricked me into believing something that wasn’t true.”

I stood up and mimicked her posture. “Come on, hate me. That’s all I’ve succeeded at doing right so far tonight. Have everyone turn on me.” I grabbed her hands, and she let me.