Page 28 of Blitz

I groan. My cock twitches at those long repressed memories resurfacing to the forefront of my brain.

“Don’t mention chemistry.”

She runs her hand over my arm. “So we’re doing this?”

I steal another kiss. “Yeah. Let’s—we’re doing this.”

Her victorious smile steals my breath and makes my knees weak. Those same knees start to ache with the effort of crouching for so long. I make my way to my feet and take my seat again.

Mason stares at me for several long moments.

“What?”

“Nothing. I was wondering what your plans were for tonight.”

“Dinner with my roommates, then watch a movie. I think Wes wants to do another James Bond marathon this weekend.”

Her soft smile makes my heart sing. Her eyes are a warm chocolate brown, bright with happiness. “Do you stay in a lot?”

“I mean, I—yeah. I don’t party, really. Now that football season is over, I’m a little more lax on the bedtime and everything…” I shrug. It might be boring to other people, but it works for me.

“Do you want to come to a track party with me?”

“Tonight?”

She nods.

I blink at her. “Don’t you have a meet tomorrow?” The night before a football game, we have a strict curfew to make sure we’re well rested for the next day’s game. Coach isn’t afraid to bench us if we don’t play by his rules.

“It’ll be super low-key. Some of the other sprinters are doing a get together for Mark’s birthday.”

I don’t know who Mark is. Probably one of her teammates.

I swallow my doubts. “This won’t be like the frat party?”

She laughs. “Not at all. It’s totally casual.” She pauses. “If we’re going to do this, I want you to meet my friends. They’re a big part of my life here at Newton. I’ve found a community here.”

“I—yeah, okay,” I finally say, because she’s right; I should get to know her friends. “Do you… would you like to have dinner with my roommates? They’re awful people, but—”

She laughs. “I’m sure they’re not awful.”

“They are. They’re rude and uncivilized and—”

Mason reaches across the table and takes my hand in hers. I lace our fingers together, some of my worries ebbing away. Just the simple touch of her hand is enough to soothe the anxiety ricocheting through my veins.

“They’re your friends. Of course I want to meet them,” she says gently. “They’re important to you, so they’ll be important to me, too.”

I strongly consider my third sandwich. “We can make this work. Can’t we?”

“I think we can,” Mason says, full of earnest conviction. “I really think we can.”

Chapter twelve

Mason

We spend the better part of an hour studying, hand in hand. We’re surprisingly productive. Every once in a while, a sappy smile will take over Tucker’s face and he’ll just beam at me. I like seeing him happy. I’m glad I’m the one that makes him happy.

At six-thirty, Tucker clears his throat and slowly pulls his hand away. “You’re sure you want to do this?”