“That is definitelynotthe story you told me when we were eighteen.”
Emery shrugged. "I didn’t really want to tell anyone the real reason I was taking education classes, you know? I love my job, though. I really do. The most ironic part about it? The kid behind me in line also wanted that class, but I had taken the last spot."
I snorted and shook my head. "You’re a menace. Crushing some college kid’s dreams just to try to get laid."
"Gotta do what you gotta do." After a moment, he stood and stretched. "Be right back. Gotta take a leak."
As Emery wandered off into the woods to find the perfect tree, I stared into the fire, watching the sparks crackle and the flames dance. There was a weird, jealous gnawing in my chest over the thought of him deciding on his life’s work because of a girl he wanted to get with. I took another sip of my beer and tried to shake it off.
A few minutes later, Emery was back, standing next to me, both of us looking at the fire. I looked up and at the sight of him, dim sunlight behind him, fire crackling and casting shadows on his face, my breath caught in my chest. He looked down and grinned at me mischievously. Before I had a chance to ask what the hell he was smiling about, he snatched my baseball cap off my head.
"What the—"
"I told you, it’s a terrible hat. I’ll give it back if you promise not to wear it again."
"Screw you,” I drawled, hoping to lull him into a false sense of security. A beat later, I jumped up, lightning-quick, and reached for the hat. I thought I’d be fast enough, but Emery was faster.
The next thing I knew, he’d taken off into the darkness with my hat, laughing and yelling, "Come and get it."
Chapter Six
Emery
Isprintedpastthetreeline and into the woods, laughing hysterically. "Come on, you know you want to," I called. It really was a terrible hat and I was feeling feisty to boot. I held the hat out and waved it at him. "Bet you can’t get it."
The next thing I knew, Mason was running straight at me. I scream-laughed and took off running, my heart racing. I didn’t know why he put up with me, to be honest, but what I knew was that we loved each other—as best friends—and he tolerated my shenanigans with grace. And sometimes he pulled his own tricks on me, too.
I darted through the trees in a zigzag pattern, trying to keep ahead of him. It didn’t take long for a stitch in my side to remind me I wasn’t in running shape anymore, and I ducked behind a large tree trunk to hide, chest heaving, trying hard to contain the sounds of my heavy breathing. When I didn’t hear anything for a bit, I crouched to the ground, my back against the tree trunk,and waited. Mason would find me eventually and he’d probably kick my ass once he did.
I let my eyes flutter closed and a second later, I was being tackled to the ground, Mason shouting triumphantly.
"Ah-hah, motherfucker!"
My shoulder crashed into the forest floor, my side immediately getting wet from the damp pine needles, the scents of the forest invading my nostrils. I hit the ground with a hard exhale. I rolled to my back and tried to fight him off me, but Mason had the advantage of physical labor building his muscles and being much stronger than I was. He snatched the baseball hat from my hand and shoved it on his head.
While he was distracted putting his hat on, I shoved him off and flipped us, knocking him to the ground and putting myself on top. I dipped low, bracketing his shoulders by pressing my hands into the dirt, and grinned. "Who’s laughing now?"
Mason’s gaze locked onto mine, our chests heaving with exertion, and the only sounds around us were the wind whistling through the trees and our harsh breathing. He swallowed and I caught sight of his Adam’s apple bobbing. The movement was mesmerizing and it felt impossible to move for a long moment.
Mason didn’t blink. He looked into my eyes, his hair falling across his forehead, his own eyes dark as his hand came up and cupped the back of my neck. The next thing I knew, he was pulling me down to him and pressing our lips together.
I inhaled sharply through my nose, the scents of the forest mingling with Mason’s scent, rich and intoxicating. His lips parted and as they did, I let mine do the same, his tongue sliding against mine and into my mouth. A groan escaped me, the sensation of our mouths moving together almost too much to handle. Mason moved his free hand to press onto my back and urged me closer. I moved willingly, rocking my hips down and drawing a soft hum from him.
The sound he made seemed to snap me out of my daze and I pulled back. We were both breathing heavily again, for a very different reason. Between us, the hard line of my erection pressed against his. Mason’s eyes were wide.
"I’m sorry," he said, still pinned to the ground beneath me. "I didn’t mean…"
After a second of silence, I nodded and climbed off him, adjusting myself as discreetly as I could. Mason’s erection was evident through his jeans. I tried not to look as I held out a hand and hauled him to his feet.
We were both soaked and filthy from the tussle, but still, I fruitlessly brushed my hands against my jeans and tried to dust off my shirt. We stared at each other awkwardly for a few seconds before Mason spoke again.
"I’m really sorry."
I held up a hand. "Don’t worry about it. Really."
He nodded. "Guess we should get back to the fire. Shouldn’t really have left it alone this long anyway."
"Yeah… Good point." I rubbed the back of my neck anxiously and nodded. We walked back to the cabin without speaking and the only sound around us was the cracking of twigs as we moved through the woods. I didn’t know what to do with my hands, so I shoved them in my pockets, afraid I’d do something stupid if I didn’t keep them to myself. As we made our way back to the cabin I replayed the moment in my mind. Mason had kissed me. And what’s more, I’dlikedit. I wanted it to happen again… at least, IthoughtI did.
