Page 126 of Escape Velocity
Being drafted means Callum can start his life.
Mason isn’t sure if he will ever be in his future. What will they have in common anymore? He’s just a writer for the college newspaper, not a reporter for sports news.
For the rest of his life, he’ll be in libraries and labs tinkering at the unknowns of life with his physics. Even if Callum does get everything he wants, will Mason ever be able to fit?
Everyone’s eyes are on them, and he can’t be the one to jeopardize Callum finally beinghappy.
Maybe their kingdom isn’t meant for prying eyes.
“I don’t think I can keep still,” Jenna says, as she sits on her hands next to him, her pink scarf wrapped fully over her mouth, so Mason almost doesn’t understand what she says.
His cheeks are flushed from the January cold as well, but he knows how to keep himself warm still.
“They’re going to win. They always do.”
“Except for that one game in November.”
“Okay, except for that one game in November.”
Mason rubs his mittened hands together and takes a sip of his hot chocolate, trying to calm his nerves and the air that seemingly gets colder with every passing minute.
Snowflakes start to fall onto his mittens. He looks up. It’s only a few flurries, but it could start pelting snow at any minute.
The crowd goes crazy all of a sudden, and as the light dims for a moment, Callum appears on the Jumbotron. Like every game.
He has his game face on.
Surly. Concentrated. Like he’s about to pounce.
Mason’s chest soars as he looks into Callum’s Technicolor eyes.
The crowd erupts and cheers. People are covered in maroon and gold. The final game is a home game, and the bleachers are bursting at the seams with excitement and school spirit.
The team runs onto the field, and Mason’s breath catches in his throat, standing up to his full height as he looks for Callum.
“Let’s go Callum, let’s go!” the cheerleaders below cheer, clapping in between each chant.
Callum runs along the sidelines and Mason’s heartstops as they meet eyes almost immediately, like Callum is a heat-seeking missile and Mason’s eyes are the target.
Like Mason’s the Earth’s atmosphere and Callum’s the rocket achieving escape velocity to break into space.
Callum gives a singular nod to Mason. Not a smile. Not a wave. Just a nod.
They’re supposed to keep things quiet between them. Only close friends and family know what relationship they really have.
They spent Christmas dinner together at the Fannings, and that was enough for him.
Callum could get drafted and Mason was reporting on him. It would be bad optics.
Callum nods and puts his helmet back on. He hits it hard twice and goes back to the team.
The game starts with the most verve and excitement Mason’s ever witnessed for a game, and he watches more intently than he ever has.
The entire game is close. It’s not a landslide win for Montgomery like it usually is. It’s neck and neck.
Callum already knows how important this game is. He doesn’t have his dad yelling expletives at him. He can just be himself.
The third quarter ends, and Callum runs to get some water.
