Page 92 of Kickoff

I waggled my eyebrows, unable to conceal the amusement I knew was brightening my features. “A treat? Any treat? Am I the one choosing what I feed you?”

She scrunched up her face and seemed to catch up with her own words. “Oh no. Mase, I didn’t mean food. When you say it like that, it sounded…it sounded…”

“Dirty?”

She nudged my side. “Stop. Ohmygod, I can’t believe you said it…like that.” She sighed, fanning herself. “What I meant was, if I survive this ride, you ride the haunted house with me. I know firsthand how much you like being spooked. Something like that.”

I watched her with a wicked grin. “I knew what you meant. I just think red suits you, and shy is a good look on you.” I shrugged and snickered as her cheeks flamed hotter.

She closed her eyes and breathed out before bringing her attention back to me. “Anyway, do we have a deal?”

My lips stretched into a victorious grin too big for my face. “Yes. And Mel? You won’t regret this, I swear.”

The girls jumped into a conversation about some movie actor as we waited in line.

I pulled my brother aside. “Everything okay between you and Paige?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Nothing. Just some tension I noticed between you two lately. I promised I wouldn’t eavesdrop, but I heard you arguing in the maze earlier. And the other night too. I told Mel I caught you guys doing the nasty so she wouldn’t walk in on you, but it’s happening more and more often these days. Your bedroom is not as soundproof as you would like to believe.”

He hung his head low and gave it a shake. “It’s nothing. She thinks I’m hiding stuff from her.”

“Are you?”

He shrugged. “It’s complicated. I wouldn’t say I’m hiding stuff, but more like withholding some details until I’m certain we gotta discuss it. Does it make sense?”

“Huh…not really. Does it have anything to do with your secret meetings in Dad’s office most nights?”

“Yes and no. It’s not something either one of you has to worry about, okay? It’s my shit, and I’m dealing with it the best I can.”

“Fine. She loves you, man. Don’t screw it up because you think withholding information from her is the right thing to do, okay? If I were her, I’d want to know too.”

Pain flickered across his face, and he peered into the distance. “If it doesn’t work out as planned, I’ll lose her anyway. I’m not ready for the day it happens, but I won’t lead her on either. I’m in no rush to find out how it will play out.”

“Anything I can do to help?”

“Promise me you’ll be there for her if things go south. Promise me you’ll be the friend she needs if it all implodes and she’s collateral damage.”

“I promise. Man, are you dying or something? You are scaring me.”

“Nah. I would tell you if I was. As I said, it’s nothing for you to worry about. It’s my big brother’s job to protect you too.”

“What did you do?”

“Me?” He pointed to his chest and let out a sarcastic laugh. “Nothing. I wish I could blame this on me. It would then be much easier to wrap my head around all that it implies.”

“I’m here if you wanna confide in someone who’s not Paige.”

“Thanks, Mase.”

Paige waved at him, and he returned to her side, pulling her in for a hug. He stared at me over her shoulder, and I nodded, sealing the promise I just made.

“I love you,” he whispered, kissing the crown of her head.

Beside me, Melinda tilted her head back and squinted, probably trying to guess how high the top car hung in the air.

“Don’t do this,” I murmured in her ear. “And don’t look down when we’re up there. Just straight ahead. And you’ll be all right.”