Page 60 of Running With Lions

Sebastian beats him to a response.

“You’re amazing, man; like, I don’t know any other guy like you, on or off the field,” he says. “When I told you I was bi, I thought you’d ditch me, but you didn’t.” Now his cheeks feel flushed, but Sebastian has to get it out. “You’re so cool about everything, so I need you to lay off Emir because I like him. I want you both around, just not like this.”

“So,” Mason says, smirking, “I’m amazing?”

Of course Mason only hearsthatpart. “Shut up,” Sebastian says, punching Mason’s arm.

“It’s hard.” Mason scuffs the toe of his shoe. “Outside of my mom and sisters, all I have is you and Will.” He presses his elbow against Sebastian’s. “I never hated Shah, but he’s so closed off that I’m suspicious he’s got evil intentions. It comes out the wrong way.”

Sebastian snorts. “Definitely.”

“Shut up, I’m trying.”

“This is youtrying?”

“This is me trying.”

“I hate to break it to you, but you suck at it.”

Mason laughs. Sebastian does too. And maybe it’s not the best “I’m sorry” or “I think you’re amazing, too” Mason can offer, but either way, it’s pretty cool.

By the fire, Willie studies them. Guilt plunks into Sebastian’s stomach like a boulder. He should talk to Willie. They’re not estranged, because they stay awake for movie marathons on Willie’s laptop or to talk. What they don’t talk about is Emir, who has become this big, ugly secret wedged between them. And Sebastian’s the jerk, because Willie hasn’t ratted him out to the team. Sebastian can’t figure out how to approach Willie about whatever he is and isn’t doing with Emir.

“Poor Hunter.” Mason cracks another beer; foam bubbles off the top. He slurps it up, then says, “Dude has totally been sweet on Will’s ass for months now.”

The fire casts orange light on the side of Hunter’s face, on his white teeth and scrunched eyes. He winds an arm around Willie’s shoulders. He isn’t standoffish, but Hunter’s not affectionate with a lot of people, not like this.

Willie tunes up someone’s beat-up acoustic guitar. He launches into Radiohead’s “Creep” the way all good dudes do.

Before Sebastian can ask, Mason swigs more beer, then says, “Last weekend, after I noticed he looked ready to crack when Willie was being flirty with Kyle, he told me.”

Sebastian is pretty sure there’s nothing to worry about. Kyle’s been dating the same girl, Lisa Kowalski, since sixth grade.

“Shame he doesn’t have the balls to say anything to Will.” Mason’s mournful, as if he’s hoping for some magical, fairy-godmother, happy ending. It’d be wicked.

Sebastian hugs himself against the cool draft from the lake. The breeze carries a smoky scent, like dragons’ breath, from the bonfire. From this vantage point, Willie’s cheeks are pink. He flubs lyrics while giggling at Hunter. His body is curled over the body of the guitar. Sebastian gets a clear look at the familiar, longing gleam in Hunter’s eyes.

“Now that Will’s done crushing on you, maybe he’ll give Hunter a chance.”

Sebastian nods, then—Wait, what?His head snaps in Mason’s direction. He mouths “Oh, hell” at the same time Mason cringes, whispering “Shit.”

“What do you mean—?”

Mason cuts him off. “Nothing, dude, nothing at all. I’m wasted; like,Jesus, how many beers have I had?”

“Two.”

“Only two?”

“Yes, Mace, onlytwo.”

“Two too many then.” Mason gives Sebastian a “You really didn’t know?” look that makes Sebastian’s stomach drop. He’s sweating, ready to hurl. No way in hell would Willie ever crush onhim.

Mason’s holding up a hand, the universal sign forCalm the hell down. He sighs, as if he’s in epic trouble. “Fine,” he grumbles, jutting his chin in Willie’s vicinity. “Yeah, Willie’s been impossibly sweet on you for about a year and a half. Around the time you started dating—”

“Samantha.”

Sebastian’s head throbs. The epiphany is a cannon exploding purple confetti in his brain. It all makes sense. Willie was never comfortable with Sam. That first night, at Val’s birthday party, Willie was on edge every time Sebastian danced with Sam. Sebastian figured it was Willie doing the “good brother” bit by being overprotective. That theory has been officially flushed.

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