The warmth I’d felt from his words changed and I tensed under his scrutiny. Even though it was only from the corner of his eye, I felt it full force and saw his hand tighten around the steering wheel. “Yeah.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

The boulder in my stomach dropped all the way to my feet. I closed my eyes and tried not to shudder at the idea of that family event. My voice was hoarse as I rasped out, “Are you kidding me? The only good thing about my birthday is that I don’t have to live with Analise. I have a say in where I go, what I do.” I groaned. “I’m sorry. I should’ve said something, but there’s no way I could handle that dinner with David, Malinda, Garrett, his wife, and your dad with Analise? She was so gracious to want you and Logan invited, of course.” I mimicked her words and how condescending they were. “She worded it like she was doing me a favor to invite you two.”

He grinned and turned the wheel so the Escalade pulled through a fast food restaurant. As he went through the drive-thru and ordered food, I declined anything. Since the run-in with my mother all food had lost its appeal to me. When we’d gotten the food, which was given with a blush and squeal, Mason pulled forward and parked the car. We remained in the car as he ate and I couldn’t stop thinking about my mother’s plans.

“She wants us to go to church.” I groaned. “All of us? Are we all going to take up one entire pew? Can you imagine the looks we’ll get from people? She hasn’t made me go to church all my life. David took me a few times, but that was it. She always stayed home and now she goes all the time with your dad.”

Mason finished his chicken sandwich, balled up the wrapper, and tossed it with the rest of the trash in the bag. Then he leaned back and turned to watch me. His hand reached over and he tapped my knee. “We’re not going to church. Don’t worry about it.”

“What are you talking about?”

He gave me a smirk, one that sent an excited tingle through my body and one that gave me a sense of dread at the same time. “What are you planning?”

“Something that has to do with a hotel room, you and me naked, and a whole box of condoms.” He gave my knee a squeeze and turned the engine back on. As he wheeled out of the parking lot and shot down the street, he glanced at me from the corner of his eye. “What do you think I have planned?”

“A whole night of orgies?” I joked, though it wasn’t really a joke.

The smirk formed into a wide smile and I couldn’t hold back my own.

I teased, “What’s a girl to do with romance like that?”

“Hopefully get naked.”

I barked out a laugh and the boulder in my gut diminished a bit, just a bit. But then I saw where he was headed and it doubled in size. My eyes went wide and I grasped his arm. It was cement as the muscle flexed from the movement of turning the steering wheel. I clung tighter. “Where are we going?”

He glanced over with a small frown, but kept driving. We passed hundreds of cars, it must’ve been hundreds of cars. He went through his school’s parking lot that was filled with their colors of red and black. Students milled around the entire parking lot. Some were getting out of their cars, laughing. Others hung out at their cars, waiting for friends. I saw parents, older people, and too many that reminded me of the last game I attended at Fallen Crest Public School.

I shook my head. “Seriously, Mason. I don’t want to be here.”

The teasing was gone between us and he regarded me with an intensity that had me blinking back some tears. The onslaught was sudden and the old Mason where he always looked deep into me was back. I’d forgotten he existed at times.

He pulled through another back parking lot that was set in a square of trees. Most students were there. A few trucks had their backs down. I saw some others with grills beside their cars and realized this was the hidden spot they tailgated for their own games.

Mason went through that lot and pulled into another back one, this one farther than all the rest. It was secluded as the trees doubled in volume around the lot. I saw Logan’s Escalade and Mason slid into the empty slot beside his. I had no doubt that everyone knew not to park in Mason’s spot. As we got out, my hands were clammy and I rubbed them against my pants.

I couldn’t believe I was here, but I was Mason’s girlfriend. I should’ve expected it. I should’ve been there before now.

He caught one of my hands and pulled me close. Then he murmured against my ear, “You’re safe. I promise.” Then he pressed a soft kiss to my forehead, though it did nothing to calm my insides. When he started around the car, he pulled me behind him.

I dug my feet in and shook my head. Uh huh. No way. I did not want to get into a fight and I knew that was the only ending for this night.

“What?”

I shook my head again. “I’m not going in there. Bad things happen when I come to your games.”

He grinned, but skimmed a hand down the side of my face. I melted a bit but hardened myself again. His seductive ways wouldn’t work this way.

“Nope. I love you, Mason. I know we don’t say it that often, but I do. However, I’m not going in there. No way, Jose.”

He smirked. “Come on, Sam.” He tugged me again and this time I was jerked after him. An arm was wrapped around my waist and he urged me forward. With him behind me, his hands on my waist now, he pushed me ahead and bent down to my ear. He murmured, “I want to introduce you to some people. That’s all. After you meet them, you don’t have to stay unless you want to. I promise.”

My feet slid over small rocks as he pressed me forward. He was practically carrying me the whole way.

“Mason!”

“Hey, buddy!”

“Mase!”

“Yo, dude!”

He ignored all the calls until we went around a small Green Fiat. Two girls were laughing together but straightened at the sight of us. The enjoyment faded from their faces and each looked scared for a second. One cleared her throat. She brushed back a lock of her long black hair. Her brown eyes flashed in anger then and she pinched her lips together. She was tall and willowy. Her other friend had long brown hair with a curvier body and an inch shorter. Both were dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt and both narrowed their eyes.

The black haired girl lifted her chin. “What are you doing here?”