Montana sighs and looks up toward the sky. “There’s no way I’m gettin’ out of this, is there?”
“No, they’re already paid for, and I texted Ellison the confirmation. She’s so excited.”
Montana’s lips twitch as he finally looks at me. “Someday I’ll get all you fuckers back for makin’ me a farm for wayward animals.”
I snort, kicking the dirt with my boot. “Since I’m doin’ something so nice for you,”—I pause and watch as his eyes narrow—“I was hopin’ you’d help me with something.”
He sighs. “What?”
I scuff at the ground again and feel his stare without meeting his gaze. I hadn’t realized I was going to ask him until this very moment, and while I’m not ashamed to ask for help, it’s still unsettling, that pit forming in my stomach at the unknown.
“I hit things off with Lana,” I start, swallowing hard as I try to act like this is no big deal. “Her son is into football.”
“Okay…” Montana says cautiously like he’s not sure where the land mines are in this conversation.
“Shit’s still new with her but if it works, if things work out with us, I want to be able to play with him.”
“You’ve never played?”
I shake my head. “It was expensive and so I made sure I wasn’t interested,” I admit, trying not to waver under his gaze.
“You want me to teach you?” he asks, his expression open and completely void of judgment.
I nod. “I’ve watched a few videos online, but I want to make sure I’m not just guessing, you know?”
“No, man, that’s really great. Her kid is damn lucky that you’re tryin’ so hard for him.”
The praise makes me uncomfortable—not in a bad way but in the way that my skin feels too tight and I need some air even though I’m outside.
I chuckle, but it’s forced. “I mean, nothing is set in stone.”
The words are a reminder I could lose it all in the blink of an eye—lose it before I’ve ever had it.
“Yeah, but you’re a fucking catch, Mason. Don’t doubt that. You’re putting in the work with so much unknown. And you know what? I got time now, do you?” Montana asks and I nod. “Let me grab a ball. And Mason?”
“Yeah?”
“You can tell Ellison sheowes me.”
He smirks and heads toward the house as I laugh and pull out my phone.
MASON: He figured it out
ELLISON: Is he mad?
MASON: He said you owe him
ELLISON: (gif of woman shrugging) orgasms for everyone!
MASON: Um…
ELLISON: (eyeroll emoji) go get your own
MASON: Oh I plan to.
Grinning,I pocket my phone as Montana walks back across the yard toward me.
Game on.
