Page 69 of Escape Velocity
It all comes together in his head.
Callum, the hardest problem Mason’s ever had to solve, has finally been solved.
Callum moves his head closer to Mason’s and their foreheads touch, sending more warmth through Mason’s stomach.
Mason can feel Callum’s breath on his own. Sweet and warm. Cinnamon gum.
“Do it,” Mason whispers.
Callum over his head back slightly and looks at Mason, as if to ask for permission again, his eyes questioning.
Mason nods and Callum’s gaze darts down to Mason’s lips.
He licks them and he finally closes the gap, warm, wet lips meeting his own.
19
MASON
They break apart almostright after.
Callum stares at Mason, his eyes aglow in the setting sun. It’s like he’s finally been unshackled from himself. From expectation. From being perfect. His eyes leak with yearning and bewilderment.
Mason still feels the ghost of Callum’s lips on his. The kiss, while clumsy, is full of unsaid fervor.
What Mason has spent so long dreaming of, finally happened.
Callum Brown kissed him. His childhood best friend, and his long-time crush. After years of waiting for the right person to kiss him for the first time, his wishes have come true.
Deep down, he always knew. He always wanted it to be Callum.
Has Callum always felt this way? How long have they gone without saying how they felt? How much time have they wasted away?
Callum’s phone starts buzzing, snapping Mason out of his head.
“It’s my dad. I’m—I’m really sorry, Mason, but I have to go back.”
The icy-cold reality hits him that he’s in Northwood and has to go back to his family and to Joel.
Callum has to go back to his dad and his stepmom. They can’t stay in their play pretend kingdom forever like they always wanted.
Callum puts his hands back on Mason’s shoulders. “Are you okay?”
Mason puts his hand on Callum’s. “I think I will be. But—I hope this isn’t the last time we see each other. Ineedto know you’re not going to bail on me again.”
Callum nods.
He takes Mason’s cold hands in his own warm ones. “Feel this. Feel me. Think of this place. Our kingdom. It’ll always be ours.”
He takes Mason’s hands and then kisses them.
Mason blushes and scrunches his face.
“How’s that?” Callum asks, the ghost of a smile appearing on his face.
“Fine,” Mason says, stifling a giggle.
Callum nods and holds out his hand to Mason. “Come on, I’ll drive you back.”
