Page 24 of Kickoff

His face turned a dark-beet color. “Fuck off, Mr. Football Star. Don’t disrespect my mother.”

“Whoa, you’re even more deranged than I thought. You won’t let people talk shit about your precious mommy, yet you assault girls in parking lots. It makes total sense.”

“It’s okay for you to get a buffet of pussies but not for me? Take a long hard look in the mirror before accusing me of any wrongdoing.”

“Wow. Here I thought you had some brain matter left. Guess you’re not that lucky after all. The difference between us is that I never force myself on a girl, you sociopath. Ever heard of consent or are you too dumb to understand the meaning? I’ll give you one warning. No second chances for freaks like you. If I ever catch you giving my girlfriend—or any other girl—trouble, you’ll deal with my fist.” I reared my arm back, ready to make the motherfucker understand my threat wasn’t just for show when a small hand curled around my biceps and the voice that had haunted my dreams for so many nights filtered through my murdering thoughts. My whole being relaxed under her touch, and the anger raging in the depths of me decreased a notch.

“Mase... He’s not worth it. Don’t injure your good hand for him. Release him. Please. Do it for me.”

Closing my eyes, I debated my options in my head. The idea of aggravating my condition because of this idiot and risking the football season and messing further with our chances to play at State—and my future—didn’t appeal to me right now, so I dropped my arm. Yeah, I didn’t need another injury.

“Thank you,” Melinda murmured from behind me.

With a big shove, I pushed Nathan back. “You’re lucky she’s defending you. Now get lost before I change my mind.”

In his drunken state, he twirled and stumbled, landing on his front, no doubt eating a mouthful of dust as his face kissed the ground.

My hand gripped Melinda’s. Our palms fused together, and her fingers held on to mine like a lifeline. Nothing had ever felt so right before. “Are you sure he didn’t touch you?” I asked. The thought of Nathan putting his hands on her made me choke on my breath.

“He wasn’t able to...” Her voice sounded a bit shaky. “You stopped him just in time before he… Oh god, I don’t even wanna think about it. I really thought we were getting along…”

“Hey, it’s okay. As long as you’re unharmed, it’s all that matters.”

She nodded, staring down.

“Don’t blame yourself. Some psychos are good at hiding their agenda.” Just then, I noticed the bruises forming on her wrist.

“Fuck.” I stepped back, ready for my fist to explain stuff to Nathan, who was still on the ground, when Melinda stopped me once more.

“It’s nothing. I’m okay. Mase, please don’t fight.”

“I’m gonna kill him. I swear, one day, I’ll kill this jerk.”

She cradled my cheeks with her hands, and the expression on her face captured my eyes. “No, you won’t. Listen to me. You are better than him. Never let your rage take control of you. Don’t stoop down to his level. He’s not worth it. Besides, he didn’t do much. It’s nothing.”

“It didn’t sound like nothing to me.”

She swallowed, emotions flashing on her features for a split second. “It could have been much worse.”

“Want me to grab you the sweater Paige keeps in Craig’s Jeep?”

Melinda glanced down at her ruined shirt. “Nah, I think I can manage. Thanks, though.” She tied the bottom in a knot, hiding the damage, before fixing her shorts. She exhaled a long breath and forced a smile, unable to hide the tremor in her voice. “Huh…all good.”

“You sure?”

She swallowed and smiled, trying to project fake confidence. “Yep.”

I hung my head and nodded. “Okay, then. You should go back to the party. Don’t stay out here all by yourself.” I didn’t give her time to reply and walked in the direction opposite to the cabin. Feeling eyes on me, I glanced at her over my shoulder.

Melinda eyed me with a frown. “Where are you going?”

“Home.”

“Home? Are you going to walk there?”

“Yep.” I turned my head, waving at her over my shoulder. “See you later, neighbor.”

Before I could put too much distance between us, she caught up with me. “Mason. Wait.” She appeared in front of me, blocking my escape. “Why did you tell Nathan I was your…huh…girlfriend?”