Chapter 7

LILY

Mason gently kisses my neck, fluidly moving up to his knees with my legs on either side of him. His hands find mine, our fingers linking together for a moment before he pins my hands above my head with one of his.

His free hand gently traces over my collarbones to the top of my dress. He uses a single finger to trace the top of my breasts, sending goosebumps all over my skin.

“Please, Mason,” I beg, lifting my hips up toward him.

He simply smiles at me as his hand slowly trails down my body to my leg. His fingers slowly move up my thigh and under my dress, stopping when he gets to my panties.

“Mason,” I moan, bucking my hips up, trying to get him to touch me where I need him desperately.

“Patience, Princess,” he whispers before hooking a finger into my waistband and pulling my panties down my thighs and off.

He moves his hand back up under my dress before he slowly begins teasing me. His lips come back to mine, kissing me gently, his fingers matching his pace.

I moan into his mouth as the pace begins to speed up. I push on Mason’s hands, trying to wiggle free as I feel my orgasm building. I need to touch him, but he doesn’t budge.

He continues kissing me as the pressure builds up, and soon enough, I’m moaning into his mouth as I ride out my orgasm on his fingers.

He slows his fingers before finally releasing my wrists. My hands go straight to his hair, pulling him down to me, and I kiss him hard.

I reach for the bottom of his top and try to take it off. Mason sits back on his knees and uses one hand to pull his sweater and T-shirt off together while I work on undoing his jeans.

Once I have the button and zipper down, I pull on the waistband, freeing him. I take him in my mouth, moving up and down only three times before he moves himself away, and I’m on my back once again with Mason hovering over me.

“I love you so much, Lily,” he whispers before slipping inside me.

As his body moves with mine, it feels like more than just sex. It feels like our souls are intertwining. We’re just lost in each other; it’s pure connection.

“Princess,” Mason breathes out into my ear as his thrusts get faster and harder. “You need to cum again,” he says, making my pussy clench around him, making him release a throaty, manly moan.

We moan into each other’s mouths as both of our bodies are overcome with complete ecstasy.

***

“Okay, Lily Bennett. You’ve got this. You’re a boss-ass bitch volleyball player, and no one can beat you,” I tell myself as I look at myself in the small mirror attached to my wardrobe.

Volleyball tryouts are today, and my stomach is in knots. I know I was a good player, but after my accident, I don’t know if I’m college-level good.

I still get the occasional pain in my ribs if I reach too high or bend a certain way. My dad texted this morning wishing me luck for the tryouts.

It feels nice that he’s remembering all these important things in my life, but I also feel this weird thing where I don’t want to respond. Like he’s ruining my freedom or something.

But then I feel guilty when I don’t respond. I don’t know why I’m so messed up about this. I should probably call him this weekend.

“Are you talking to yourself?” Sophia snorts from her bed. Her headphones are on, so I didn’t think she could hear me.

“Maybe,” I mutter, feeling embarrassed.

“You know, I’ve heard that people who talk to themselves are actually ten percent smarter than the rest of the population,” she says casually.

“Were you… were you just semi-nice to me?” I ask slowly, turning to face her.

Her lips turn upward the smallest bit. “I’ll deny it if you say anything,” she says before looking back at her phone.

As I’m about to walk out the door, she calls out, “Good luck and don’t bring smelly clothes into the room.” She smiles again.

“Noted.” I smile back. I really thought Sophia and I would always have an icy relationship. But her showing this tiny bit of kindness gives me hope that maybe by the end of the year, we might be cordial.

As I walk into the school gym, I swear the knots in my stomach have untied and retied themselves. I’ve never felt this nervous to play volleyball.

But when I see Brittany standing in the middle of the court with her arms crossed, hip sticking out, and the biggest resting bitch face plastered on her face, I feel at home.

It feels just like when we would face off in high school. Only this time, when she sees me, her face doesn’t contort into a glare. Instead, she smiles widely and waves me over.

“We’re going to be the most unstoppable doubles!” she exclaims, linking our arms together and guiding me toward the bleachers.

“My spike is practically perfect now,” she boasts as I drop my bag next to hers.

“All right, ladies! Get your pads on and start warming up,” a middle-aged woman, who I recognize as the head volleyball coach, Madeline Grant, calls out.

Her instructions command the attention of at least fifty of us. As everyone starts moving, my eyes scan the crowd—and then I see her. Mandy. Standing near the far wall, stretching and chatting with another girl.

Our eyes meet. We stare at each other for a long, flat moment. No expression. No wave. Just quiet acknowledgment. I break the stare first, turning back to Brittany. We start stretching.

Once everyone is warmed up, Madeline instructs us to gather at the center of the bleachers.

“We can only have ten of you go through,” she states, causing my nerves to skyrocket again. “Get into teams of six,” she orders.

Brittany and I jump to our feet along with every other girl. Of course, we end up on a team with Mandy. I can’t shake this girl.

She immediately starts ordering everyone around, dictating what position we need to play and formulating strategies. I glance at Brittany, knowing exactly what she’s thinking.

Her blue eyes twitch slightly before she clears her throat and takes a step forward.

“I think not,” she declares, and all the girls whip their heads toward her.

She continues, “We’re not taking orders from you, Mandy.”

Mandy glares at Britt as one of her friends defends her.

“Mandy has been the county champion every year since freshman year,” the girl snaps.

“And? Why should we listen to a county champ when we have a multi-time state champ?” Brittany retorts, reminding me of why I always thought she despised me.

“You were a state champ?” Mandy gasps, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

“I wish.” Brittany snorts before nodding her head back at me. “Lily here is the best in the whole state, and I would much rather listen to her than you.”

Wow, I had forgotten how bitchy Britt can be. Used to drive me crazy, but now I love it, of course.

“Lily Bennett?” The tallest girl gasps, looking at me with wide eyes.

“Ah, yeah.” I nod awkwardly.

“Oh my god, you are amazing! My friends and I used to read about you before every practice. It was so sad that you had that accident,” she says, her voice transitioning from excited to sympathetic.

“It’s fine. I’m fine.” I shake my head, trying to forget about it. It feels weird that strangers know about my accident.

“I heard you couldn’t play anymore because of it,” another girl says.

“I can play,” I respond, not feeling very confident. I mean, I can play, but I don’t know how well. But I’m not going to tell them that.

“I vote we all listen to Lily.” The tall girl nods, and the others join in, except for Mandy. She looks like she wants to kill me.

“Okay, um.” I nod, feeling uncomfortable with everyone staring. I make a couple of suggestions until we all agree.

Madeline blows her whistle and starts directing the teams to different courts.

We play two sets against each team before Madeline starts dividing us into quads. Thankfully, I end up with Brittany and the tall girl, Zoey, and unfortunately, Mandy joins us.

Although I think she’s a terrible person—because she blatantly flirted with my boyfriend in front of me—I have to admit she is pretty good at volleyball.

After playing three more sets as a quad, we’re split into doubles. Coach Grant stops in front of our group and looks at each of us for several seconds, making me feel uneasy.

“You two play brilliantly against each other,” she states matter-of-factly as she gestures between Brittany and me.

“I’m not going to lie; I was surprised to see you two on the same team,” Coach says, nodding at Britt and me. “And you played well together. But if we put you two as a pair, will you physically fight each other?”

“No way! We’re besties,” Brittany answers instantly.

“Please, a girl from Ridgewood and a girl from Greendale are besties? No way. I went to Greendale, so I get it,” Madeline replies.

“And I said we’re besties,” Brittany states in a don’t-even-try-me tone.

“We are,” I confirm with a quick nod.

“All right. You two are a pair, and you two are a pair. Three sets against each other,” she states, pairing us up against Mandy and Zoey.

“Ready to get your asses whipped?” Brittany smirks, grabbing the ball out of Mandy’s hands and walking away.

I quickly follow her and snatch the ball from her. “I forgot how mean you can be.” I laugh, shaking my head.

“I’m not even being mean.” She rolls her eyes before pressing her lips together. “Yet,” she adds before laughing. “Just wait until we start playing other colleges. I’ll be in their minds before the coin toss,” she jokes over her shoulder as I line up to serve.

“I believe it,” I reply as Zoey hits the ball back, and Brittany effortlessly runs to it.

“They’ll probably just see us and crap their pants,” Britt jokes as I hit the ball up and over the net.

We keep playing and talking like it’s second nature to us until Brittany spikes the ball, earning us a point. Mandy lets out a screech.

“Do you ever shut up?” she huffs, grabbing the ball and gearing up to throw it back to us when a whistle blows and Madeline calls us back to the bleachers.

“Well done, ladies. You did really well,” she says as I reach into my bag, grabbing my water bottle. “I’ll let you know by next Friday if you make the team. Good luck,” she tells us before leaving the gym.

“We so made the team,” Brittany says as we strip off our knee pads.

“I really hope so,” I sigh. I honestly have no idea.

I feel like I didn’t play my best. My body didn’t move the way it used to. I felt slower, less fluid in my movements, and I swear to God I could jump higher.

After showering, I walk back to my dorm. I pull my phone out of my bag to see three missed calls and multiple texts, all from Mason.

Mason

Princess, I’m so sorry I slept in. I wanted to talk to you before tryouts

Mason

I know you’re going to kill it. Good luck and I love you

Mason

Call me when you’re done and I’ll come pick you up

Mason

How’d it go?? Are you done?

Mason

I’m guessing you’re not because your roommate just yelled at me lol.

I can’t help but smile and shake my head as I read his texts. I swear his patience is worse than mine. I’m about to reply when—out of the corner of my eye—I see someone running at me full speed. I almost drop my phone, but the figure catches it.

“Careful, Princess.” Mason smiles and holds out my phone.

“Who runs at someone full speed?” I ask, feigning annoyance, but I can’t hold it for very long.

Mason carefully takes my duffle bag off my shoulder and slings it across his while his free arm goes around my shoulders.

“Tell me all about it.”

I tell Mason everything about the tryouts, including how bitchy Mandy was and about Madaline going to Greendale, and he actually seems to be interested.

“But I don’t know if I played well enough,” I sigh.

“Bullshit. You’re the best,” he says, shaking his head quickly.

“You have to say that,” I reply.

“Nope. As your boyfriend, it’s my job to be honest with you,” he says with his perfect smile. “I mean, if you were shit, it would be my duty to tell you, but you are seriously amazing.”

I press my lips together. He’s right. I am a good player. I really should try to have more confidence in myself. I’m Lily Bennett, and I’m a boss-ass bitch.

***

Friday night, I’m back on the bleachers, freezing cold and feeling depressed. I haven’t heard a thing from Coach Grant, so I’m guessing I didn’t make the volleyball team.

Brittany hasn’t heard anything either. She’s more mad than sad, unlike me. I haven’t told Mason yet. I didn’t want to distract him from the game tonight.

By halftime, we’re losing. Jeff has two interceptions, and Maya is practically steaming from the ears. She’s been yelling out orders to him, but I doubt he can hear her.

After missing another pass, he rips his helmet off and throws it on the ground, swearing.

“For fuck’s sake!” Maya yells, throwing her hand up in the air.

“Why the fuck is he playing so badly?” she snaps at Thea, who is sitting next to her, looking scared.

“What?!” Maya screeches as the football coach orders Jeff off the field and yells at him.

“Wait,” I say, looking at Kayla. “Does this mean Mason is going to play?” I ask.

She smiles widely at me and nods happily.

I grab ahold of her arm and let out an excited squeal. It feels like I haven’t seen Mason play in forever.

He’s going to be so excited.

I watch as Mason jogs out to the field and gets into the lineup. I still can’t get over how good he looks in blue.

I watch as he talks to Liam for a bit before he turns toward the stadium.

I want to wave so he can see me, but I don’t want to draw attention to myself.

When I see him tap his helmet twice, I can’t help the smile that crosses my face. He said last night before we went to sleep that when he finds me in the crowd, he will do that to let me know that he’s seen me.

“This is fucking bullshit,” Maya snaps as she gets up and pushes past us, stomping down the stairs.

“I haven’t seen her that pissed before.” Brooke whistles, shaking her head before she gives me a sympathetic look.

But I don’t give a shit about her. I’m too focused and excited for Mason.

My eyes are glued to Mason as he effortlessly runs, dodging giant dudes trying to take him out, and then throws the ball across the field to the wide receiver streaking down the field.

I instantly jump to my feet and begin cheering along with the rest of the crowd.

He really is incredible.

Mason plays the best I’ve ever seen him play. He runs for two touchdowns and throws for two more.

And even though he’s a freshman, he’s a leader out there—barking orders and encouraging his teammates.

I’m in complete awe of him. My eyes don’t stray from him until the final whistle blows, and the team disappears after celebrating together.

“Holy shit, Lily! You never told us Mason could play like that!” Kayla exclaims, shaking my shoulder.

“He’s incredible.”

I smile proudly.

“Just be careful around Maya,” Brooke warns, and Thea nods in agreement.

“But don’t worry about her at the moment. Let’s go find your man,” she adds, waggling her eyebrows.

***

The second Mason steps out of the locker room, I throw myself at him and begin kissing all over his face. “You were amazing,” I say between the kisses.

“Thank you, Princess.” He chuckles, squeezing me tightly into his body.

“You looked so good,” I tell him before placing my lips against his, hard and fast.

Once he’s slowly put me on my feet, he intertwines our fingers and leads me toward the parking lot, where I see his car parked next to Liam’s.

“You didn’t come together?” I frown, looking up at Mason.

“Nope.” He winks as we join the others.

“Mason Cooper!” Brittany squeals before throwing her body against Mason, who awkwardly pats her shoulders.

“You are the best quarterback I’ve ever seen in my whole life!” she exclaims, letting him go, not seeming to be bothered by his brush-off.

“But seriously, congratulations,” she smiles kindly.

“Thanks,” Mason mumbles in reply, looking down at his sneakers.

“Yo, Mason!” a guy calls out, gaining his attention.

“You fucking killed it out there!” he exclaims, coming closer and “bro shaking.”

“Thanks, man,” Mason replies quietly.

“See you at the party? Drinks on me.” The guy laughs.

“See you there.” Mason nods in agreement.

I fight back my smile. He hates the attention so much. It’s like he doesn’t realize how amazing and talented he truly is and how much he deserves this praise.

Once Brittany and Liam climb into Liam’s car, Mason pulls me toward his.

“Why did you two take separate cars? Are you fighting?” I ask, buckling my seatbelt.

“We’re not fighting,” he says, laughing and casting an amused smile in my direction.

I narrow my eyes, wondering if he’s telling the truth. They always drive together.

“Where are we going?” I ask, sitting up straight as I notice he’s driving in the opposite direction from Liam.

“You and I have plans.” He winks.

“But everyone will be wanting to celebrate you,” I protest.

“I want to celebrate with you. I don’t give a shit about them,” he replies.

“Mason Cooper, you really are a cheeseball.” I smile, leaning over to place a quick, gentle kiss on his cheek.

“But you love it,” he says, grinning.

“I do,” I confirm.

Then, I glare at him, all business, and ask, “But seriously, where the hell are you taking me?”

Mason laughs.

“You are so bad at surprises, Princess.”