Page 69 of Game Plan

“He was high as a kite. It’s surprising he didn’t break his neck. It reminded me of Rusty.”

“Yes. Same I don’t care about the consequences because I’m having fun attitude. Who knew college kids were as stupid as high school kids? I thought they would make smarter choices.”

He snorted. “Sorry to disappoint. My friends back home would have a blast here. Not for the college part but the parties. Sheldon and Chase would be hungover all the time.”

“Any news from Chase?” I asked.

“He’s working as a carpenter for a small construction business in Traverse City. He appears to really enjoy it. He’s renting an apartment above a pub with three other guys. As long as he’s away from his deadbeat dad, it’s all good.”

“True. I can see him building houses and using power tools. It fits.”

“Yeah. I hope moving around all day helps him burn off all that extra energy and eases his restless leg syndrome.”

“I’m sure it does. Not everyone is meant to sit in a classroom for hours every day.” A loud yawn left my mouth before I had time to silence it with a hand. “Sorry.”

“Tired?”

“Exhausted. I was just hungrier than tired before, and that’s why I chose food over sleep. My feet are killing me, though.” Done with my second slice of pizza, I licked my fingers and lay back against the cushions, stretching my legs on the bed. “That was good. Do you mind if I close my eyes for just a second? I need to recharge my batteries, or I won’t be able to go home.”

Mason rolled the chair closer to the bed and started massaging my feet.

Another yawn passed my lips. “You don’t have to do that, but…oh God, yes. There. Whoa. Just like that.” I was having feet orgasms. I had no clue if it was even a thing, but it felt amazing. He kneaded the flesh around my ankles, my shin, my calves with his expert hands. “You’re hired. Why haven’t you ever told me how good you are at this? Oh yes. Harder. Please, never stop.”

“You’re lucky the guys are downstairs, or they would think highly of my skills.”

“Shut up and keep going. I’ll keep moaning if it helps your rep. Just don’t stop.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll never leave you unsatisfied.”

“Mase, that ego.” I giggled. “You’re like a pro at this, so I’ll let it slide this time. If you ever get tired of football, you should totally become a massage therapist.”

“Never. I would be too much in demand. I prefer keeping it as a sideline gig I reserve for you—only you.”

My body relaxed as the mattress engulfed me. I felt lighter than I had in hours. My thoughts stopped spinning. My breaths evened. Before I could move to my feet and ask Mason to drive me home, it felt as if stones had replaced my inner organs. My eyelids felt heavier with every passing second. Mason massaged my toes, the soles of my feet, my heels. I abandoned myself to sleep, feeling safe and way too comfortable as my brain just shut off.

I woke up with a start. My mouth tasted like last night’s pizza, and my eyelids weighed tons, so I chose to keep them closed. For a moment, I tried to figure out where I was. The softness of the mattress beneath me felt foreign. The subtle scent of driftwood and pine filled my nostrils in the most delicious way. This was all part of a dream, it had to be—it usually was. I rolled onto my side, a large weight holding me down at the waist. It felt oddly familiar. Something warm pressed against me. I relaxed a little bit more. Yeah, this dream was too good to let go. I pushed my back against the warm mass and fell back into a deep slumber. One where I was dreaming that Mason and I were cuddling in bed like we used to, and where, for now, it felt right.

The pounding on the door dragged me out of my dreams. I pressed a pillow over my head to block the noise, but it was useless.

“Mase? Are you in there? I thought we were supposed to watch game tapes like two hours ago. You called the morning meeting yourself. The team has been waiting for you, but they decided they had better things to do after we watched a few, so they left. I tried to call you a dozen times, but it went straight to voicemail.”

Mase?

Team?

Game tapes?

A low groan vibrated through me, and two strong arms fastened around my body from behind, pulling me back, warm breath fanning across my neck.

My eyes sprang open. What did we do? Last night was a bit hazy in the morning light. I remembered how tired I was, Mason massaging my feet, then nothing.

I tried to turn around, but his grip on me tightened. “Mel, don’t move yet. I’m so comfy right now. I wanna stay like this forever.”

I broke free and flipped onto my other side to face him anyway, but gasped halfway through, his very firm erection pressing against my side.

“Sorry. I told you not to turn just yet.”

“I…huh… We… Did… Can…”