Page 92 of Escape Velocity
“I don’t care what anyone else says. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Mason. All of this doesn’t matter if it means I can’t have you. You’re amazingly talented and an irrefutable genius. I’ll protect you from all this bullshit this school and town wants to throw our wayand I’ll make sure your voice shines through. I’ll do it all for you, Mason.”
Mason’s heart nearly stops as Callum places another kiss on his mouth, like an oath he’s going to uphold.
Callum’s phone dings.
Callum grins his usual Callum smile at Mason before reaching for his phone.
“Sorry, I have to see my team now for post-game celebrations. I’ll see you soon, okay, Mase? Hang in there. You’re the smartest guy I know; you’re going to figure this all out like the genius you are. I have faith.”
Callum pats his chest twice with his fist and grins like an idiot as he picks up his gym bag and leaves Mason’s dorm.
“Bye…” Mason’s words die in his mouth as his brain finally catches up with his mouth just after Callum closes the door behind him.
Mason clutches at his chest and falls back on his bed as his cheeks flush.
It’s a precarious place to be. Fraught with challenges and interlopers that could knock them off their pedestal at any moment. But he likes it.
He doesn’t want to be anywhere else but in the glow of Callum, and how it shines for the both of them.
28
MASON
The rattlingfloors shake with the bass of thundering music coming from the loudspeakers, and all Mason wants to do is leave.
The Hornets have had yet another victory, and it’s Halloween. So naturally, everyone is celebrating at their usual frat house of choice, and Mason actually made the decision to join, albeit dressed up.
He feels ridiculous in his pirate outfit. It’s a usual pirate costume, with the eye patch, the boots and the hat and all, but instead, he has a huge pi drawn onto his outfit, so his outfit he’s actually a “pi-rate,” as he keeps trying to explain to everyone that it’s a math pun.
Not many people have found it amusing.
“I think your costume’s great, honestly,” Jenna comments next to him as they sip beer in the corner.
She looks even more ridiculous in her skeleton costume, trying to make a reference to her kinesiology major with her costume, but she still looks good.
“Joel said it was a terrible pun.”
“He’s a dunce,” Jenna counters.
Mason cheers his beer at her.
“How are things with Cal?” Jenna asks.
“You mean calculus?” Mason asks.
Jenna rolls her eyes. “No. Callum, smart-ass.”
Mason chuckles. “They’re good. We’re still getting our bearings, but you know, it’s still fraught with… challenges.”
Jenna nods. “Makes sense, after all, he is one of the most popular guys in the school, and you’re reporting on him because you needed to have a good way to lie to your parents. That was never going to be easy.”
Mason almost chokes on his beer. “Geez, why don’t you tell me how you really feel, Jenna.”
Jenna nudges his shoulder. “What I’m trying to say is that I hope you both make it.”
Mason smiles. “Thanks.”
Mason notices Craig and Callum approach them. Callum’s dressed all in black with black wings coming out of his back, like a raven, most likely his costume of choice.
