Mason sighs obnoxiously. “Fine,” he grumbles, throwing his bag in the back with mine and taking the passenger seat. Once he’s in, he looks out the windshield with his arms crossed, not making eye contact with me.
Shaking my head, I say, “you’re such a child.”
He still doesn’t acknowledge me. Now I’m getting annoyed. “Say something.”
His head slowly turns toward me, his eyes narrowed.
“I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed,” he looks back down to his lap. Oh, for fucks sake.
“Oh, fuck off,” I tell him, rolling my eyes and finally pulling out of the parking lot to head home. Mason laughs and I just shake my head, not saying anything for the rest of the way home.
Chapter 9
Lainey
Ellie, Haley, and I are dressed up and ready to go two hours early. The game against Ridgewood Academy doesn’t start until seven, but we were all so excited to see Gwen that we got ready early so we could meet up before the game.
I haven’t seen my other best friend in months, and it’s been terrible. We talk practically every day, but it’s not the same not seeing her every day.
Luckily, back home in Rhode Island, we don’t live far from one another, however, she’s been living in the city, so that hasn’t been much help either.
I’m just glad they didn’t move somewhere further, because I don’t think I’d survive her being that far away.
Ridgewood Academy is a rival school to Ellington, and their rugby team is rough. They often don’t play by the rules, but somehow, they always get away with it. It’s like they’re paying the refs to look the other way or something.
I like the sport, and I know quite a lot about it. Ever since Holland joined the team, Ellie has dragged me to every single game. I’ve sat in the cold for hours on end watching her brother play, watching him probably closer than I should have.
At first, I loved the violence, and I loved watching Holland get thrown to the ground. It brought me a sick sense of peace. Now, I actually enjoy watching the game.
Although, I still do enjoy watching Holland get his ass handed to him. The cocky little shit needs a good ass kicking now and again.
I remember last year when I dragged Gwen to her first rugby game, before she would admit to having feelings for Ryker who was the team’s captain at the time. She didn’t understand the game at all, and I had to explain what was happening.
Now, in a little less than two weeks, she’ll be marrying him in one of the most romantic cities in the world. Why they chose to have their wedding in Italy is beyond me, but I am not complaining. I’ve never been out of the country before, and I’m dying to get the hell out of this town.
“Gwen’s going to meet us at Café Grind,” Ellie says as she puts her coat on. She’s dressed in her green and white Ellington University sweatshirt and beanie, her blonde hair peeking out at the bottom the hat.
“Of course she is,” I smile to myself. That girl and her coffee. She is coffee obsessed. She would spend hours in that little café on campus.
Haley chuckles. “She’s probably only come to visit to go back there.” We all laugh and nod.
“Yeah, you’re probably right,” I tell her.
Taking one last look in the mirror, I pull on my Ellington U winter hat and my coat, combing my fingers through the long, dark hair resting over my shoulders. My lipstick is red, making it stand out against my hair and my grey blue eyes.
Deciding I look good enough, I say, “I’ll drive.”
When we get to campus, we walk into the tiny coffee shop and sit at a table in the corner. We all order drinks as we wait for Gwen. I take a small sip, trying not to burn my tongue when I hear a familiar voice.
“I’m back, bitches!” Ellie, Haley, and I all look up at the same time to see Gwen enter the café, walking toward our table. I’m the first one out of my seat as I squeal and jump her, almost knocking her over.
“Shhh,” I hear from around us, but I don’t even care. My bestie is back, and I’ve never been so relieved to see another human being in my life.
“Hey, Lainey,” Gwen chuckles. “It’s nice to see you, too.”
I pull back slightly to look at her face. My hands grab her cheeks and Gwen’s eyes go wide. I look into her eyes and move my hands around her face like I’m trying to feel every inch of it. Gwen laughs, pulling my hands away.
“What the hell are you doing, Lane?” she asks, still chuckling.
