Page 45 of Kickoff

Silence fell upon us as everyone stared at me.

A series of Ooohs and Aaahs followed. Confusion took over most of my friends’ faces.

“Hey, come on, it’s just a dance. You guys chill out. We’ll win the game like the amazing champs we are and give the crowd the best football they’ve ever seen, and then you guys wear some tux to impress the ladies and make me proud. I’ll just sit this one out.”

Chase’s face fell. “Geez, you’re serious.” He blew out a breath. “Man, it’s not just a dance. It’s tradition. Homecoming. The biggest weekend of the year. Football, music, chicks. It’s like the trifecta of high school. That plus blow jobs and booze.”

“Well, I still have time to make traditions. I don’t feel like going.” I shrugged, trying to look convincing. “It’s no big deal. And it gives one of you suckers a chance to be crowned Homecoming King. You should all be thankful that I’m removing myself from the competition.” I plastered my best devilish grin on.

“One point for Mase,” Sheldon said. He extended his arm over the table, and we high-fived. “Challenge accepted. I’ll be your king, guys, but I would prefer if you called me Master.”

“Ugh. Never. Sheld, please don’t encourage him. Mase is rarely wrong, but right now he is. Big time.” Chase pointed at me. “Mase, you’re the captain. Homecoming and football go hand in hand, man. You, Mason Pierce, are our king, and the troops need their king to show them the way. If you don’t go, then we should all abstain.” He nodded once as if it gave weight to his argument. “I’m sure girls are already in line to give you head in an empty classroom to celebrate our future victory. Would you deprive them all?”

“Geez, you sound like a knockoff Shakespeare, but a perverted version of him. Stop with the drama. It’s just a dance. I don’t need a bunch of followers or a blow job from some random girl. You guys go and make the most of it. It’s not an all-or-none kinda situation. It’s just a school dance. What are you? A bunch of middle schoolers? Get over it already.”

A hand clapped my shoulder. Someone poured me a glass of soda. If I had announced I was going to die, not sure my teammates would have reacted any worse.

“Something is wrong with you,” Rusty said, hanging his head low.

“Definitely,” Jackson replied.

“Guys, stop it. I’m fine. Can we please talk about something else? We have a game tomorrow, and we should all focus on that instead. We gotta crush Cowley High. Losing to them isn’t an option.”

Craig’s eyes locked on mine across the table, and he shook his head. Even though he asked me at least once a week, I still hadn’t told him the identity of the girl I loved. I was surprised he hadn’t found out the truth by now. He was usually good at reading me without my telling him about my thoughts. Or perhaps he knew and was just waiting for me to spell it out. Whatever.

I wouldn’t open up about it unless Melinda and I made it official. And from the look of things, that status wouldn’t be easily obtained—not by a long shot.

“Paige is part of the homecoming committee. You could at least make an appearance,” my brother said. “I’m sure she’d appreciate it. My girl has spent weeks working on the decor. You’re part of this team and this family, and the least you can do is show up where you’re expected.”

As if she had been summoned, Paige and a group of girls—minus Melinda—joined us and pushed a table against ours to create more seating and sat down. I straightened my posture, readying myself in case Melinda and Landon walked in together for whatever reason. I was being ridiculous, yet I couldn’t prevent myself from reacting. I relaxed my shoulders when I noticed she wasn’t coming, even though a part of me wished she was here too. My head, my heart, and my entire being were conflicted when it came down to the one girl who had the power to make me lose my mind all the time.

“Your girl what?” Paige asked, leaning into him when Craig tugged her closer. He kissed her forehead, and she smiled back at him.

Chase jumped in. Traitor. “Your man was telling Mase he should get his head out of his ass and come to the dance on Saturday night. We’re going to win that game tomorrow and be badass superheroes in white tights, and everyone will expect him to show up. And Craig said that Mase can’t miss it because you worked so hard on the decor, and he wants him to support you because you’re family or some shit.”

A look of love shone in her eyes when they landed on my brother. “You’re so sweet.” She grabbed his hand in hers and kissed his palm. God, they were nauseatingly in love sometimes. Her attention switched to me seconds later. “Mase? Is it true you’re not coming?” She flicked her wrist. “Mel already ditched it last year. How can you both miss traditions?”

“Ah, that’s exactly what I said,” Chase chimed in. “Traditions, man. They’re important.”

“Shut up, Chase,” I grumbled through gritted teeth. “We’ve been over this already.”

Paige watched me with a laser focus as if she could guess whatever thoughts were swimming in my head. “Mason Pierce, you better have a good excuse.”

I shrugged. I had none.

She studied me for a little longer. “What are you not telling me? You’re hiding something. It’s obvious.”

“Don’t try to be a mind reader, babe. It’s a waste of your time.” I paused, trying to come up with a not-too-far-fetched excuse she would buy. “Too many school dances. It gets old. I’ll attend prom. That’s where I draw the line.”

“No Winter Formal?”

“Nope.” I popped the P, putting fake assurance into my reply. “I’m starting new traditions.”

She threw her arms in the air. “Fine. Whatever. Do what you want. I’m not gonna force you to come, but prom is non-negotiable. If you bail on us, you’ll hear from me for years to come.” She pointed her digit at me. “I was thinking…we should go camping after prom. All of us. It could be fun.”

Silence fell around the table. Some of us recalled how last year’s camping trip had ended.

“Mase, remove that sour expression from your face. You love camping too much to miss this opportunity. This way I’m making sure you hold up your end of the bargain. And this time around, it won’t be just a boys’ trip. We’re all going.”