Page 58 of Coastal Rewind

It was a relief. The Sparrows were killing their season after being projected to be mediocre with a few good players out with injuries. The team was still in their first big stretch in the league so expectations were low which only made the pressure worse. The guys seemed to feel like they had something to prove.

When I’d first met Mason, I googled him. A strange professional baseball player was coming on vacation with my family and I got curious. Okay, I knew Mason was one of Nolan’s best friends but he was still strange to me.

There was article after article about his stupid move to the Sparrows. That this move would ruin his career, but he’d proved them all wrong. He was at the top of his game and it showed every time he was on the mound.

“We watched you kill it last night. You’re a real superstar, you know that?” Amber said, a small smile forming on my face at her comment.

Mason’s knowing eyes swung to mine as he stifled a laugh.

“I appreciate the support,” he said with a smirk.

“Well, if Amber is finished drooling, I’m going to get another drink.” I pushed to my feet and walked past Mason without another glance. I felt him following me but didn’t turn around until I heard the soft click of the sliding glass door.

The moment we were alone Mason’s hands were on me. He pinned me to the counter and gripped my waist, his mouth falling to my neck. “I missed you,” he whispered.

“I missed you, too.” My voice was light and my skin was on fire as his hands slowly roamed up to my rib cage.

“You’re so fucking hot. Have I told you that?”

I shook my head no.

“I guess I’ll have to make it more clear then.” His mouth found mine and my knees threatened to buckle. Mason wound an arm around my waist to prop me up as his lips completely dominated mine.

I’d never been like this before. I’d always held all the power in my sexual relationships, but with him I felt myself liking the moments where he took control. It gave me a minute to breathe and just enjoy it. Maybe it was because I trusted him. Maybe it was because I was tired of being in control all the time.

Whatever the reason, it was fucking electric.

Mason pulled back and my eyes fluttered open to see him staring down at me.

“Do you have plans tomorrow night?”

I tilted my head to the side and scrunched my nose. “I never have plans.”

“You do now.” He kissed my cheek and backed away toward the back door.

“I do?” I placed my hands on my hips and held my chin a little higher in defiance.

“I’m taking you out, Ryleigh Kelly.” He left no room for me to argue as he turned and walked outside, shutting the door behind him.

My stomach erupted in butterflies and I forced down my urge to jump with a giddy shriek. I should’ve been panicking about how I was feeling, but instead I felt a surge of joy that I was severely not accustomed to.

When I lived on the road, there were a lot of nights alone where I would journal or go on night walks to take photos. There was a lot of peace, but not a ton of pure excitement.

I missed this feeling.

I mixed up strawberry margaritas on the rocks for the three of us and then joined everyone back on the patio. My cheeks must have been as red as the drinks in my hand because Amber gave me a knowing wink as she took one from my hand and took a sip.

I couldn’t look her in the eyes when I settled back onto my chair and continued watching Theo and MJ have the time of their lives.

There was something so domestic about the entire scene, almost as if Mason and I invited friends over for a casual hangout.

Those normal thoughts were the ones that finally had the panic settling into my bones. I couldn’t get used to this. This wasn’t my real life.

twenty-five

Mason

Nolan didn’t knock before he strolled through the front door with an ease that screamed he was way too comfortable in my house.