Fallen Crest Alternative Version (Fallen Crest High #2.1)(75)

“Why do you hate him so much?”

“I don’t hate him. I don’t like them, either of them.” She regarded me for a moment. “I’m just one of the middle people who aren’t sold on the Kades.”

“Middle people?”

“The people in between. We’re not at the bottom, but we’re not at the top.”

Someone shouted down the hall and we both turned. Then the shouting multiplied and everyone raised the volume another notch.

Laura sighed. “The teams out. Your boy’s gonna be looking for you.”

I looked around. “Where’d Kelly go?”

“She’s hiding.”

“Why?”

“Because she’s always had a crush on Logan. She pretends to hate him because I do, but I know she doesn’t really. The thought of both of them coming over here, I’m sure she’s worried she’ll wet her pants.” She grimaced as she looked over my shoulder.

Mason was headed our way.

“Anyways.” She gave me a formal smile. “It was nice meeting you, Sam. You can sit with us at any game.”

“Wait.” I grabbed her arm as she was about to slip away.

She gave me a sad smile, but pulled my hand from her arm. “I’ll see you later, Sam.”

“Hold on.” I blocked her and then turned to Mason. “What’s the plan after this?”

He frowned. His eyes lingered on Laura, but he replied, “We’re going to have people over to the house. Basement only.”

I nodded and smiled at Laura. “You’re invited. Do you know how to get there?”

She paled. “Are you sure about this?”

I shrugged. “Why not? You can meet my friend Becky. She’s like a hyper bunny on Ritalin.”

She seemed to pale even more. “I don’t know, Sam.”

“You’re coming.” Then I spotted Kelly and shouted, “Both you and Laura are invited over. Make sure she comes.”

Her eyes were wide, but she nodded. Her legs were trembling. After I made sure to get their phone numbers, I let Mason pull me away. His hand found mine and when we walked through the crowd in the parking lot, he tugged me close. As he maneuvered us through the few who hadn’t parted for him, he nibbled on my ear. Then he breathed on it. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

His hand slid to my stomach and he pressed against me.

I grinned and pressed back.

As he sucked in his breath, I turned and placed a kiss on his cheek. “I’m making different friends. That’s what you wanted, wasn’t it?”

As we got to the Escalade, he trapped me against it. We weren’t hidden from everyone, but his car and Logan’s provided a small semblance of privacy. He pushed against me and held my hands above me. His hips ground into me and I held my breath when he moved between my legs.

He whispered as he pressed kisses up my jaw, “I wanted you to have someone to sit with at my games. I liked having you there.”

I pulled my hands from his and wound my arms around his neck. His hands slid to my thighs and he picked me up. My legs went around his waist and he was firmly between them. I closed my eyes as I felt his bulge. If our jeans had been unzipped, he would’ve slid right in.

I laughed and tried to shake off the lust. It made me blind to reality and as I looked around, I saw a small crowd had formed. “Inside. Please.”

Mason grinned. He moved away, but not before he pressed a quick kiss to my lips. Then we were inside the Escalade and he peeled out of there.

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

Mason stopped for food so when we got back to the mansion, the lights were on, cars filled the street, and we could hear bass as we bypassed everyone. A line of people had formed from the street, down the gate of their yard, and around to the back pool area. That was the door that they allowed everyone inside. When Mason opened the gate and pulled through, I was relieved to see that no one followed suit. It seemed like everyone knew the rules. No one was allowed upstairs, only the basement and pool area.

I sent Becky a text and a few others to the Elite members, so when I got one back from Mark, I wasn’t surprised. I chuckled.

“What?”

“He said everyone’s coming and they’re all up for a slumber party at his house.”

Mason frowned but hopped out and rounded the car. He threw my door open and waited as I got out before he threw an arm around my shoulder. Everyone could see from the gate, but I didn’t care. As we headed inside, Mason hit the button and the garage’s door slid down. When we went into the kitchen with the food, the bass from downstairs was loud enough to rattle the dishes. Glasses vibrated in their placeholders, and dishes rattled in the cupboards.

I glanced at the door to the basement. “Are you sure no one will come up here?”

Mason tossed a fry in his mouth and filled a glass of water. “The door locks from this side. We’re good. We’ve had these bashes before.”

“And your dad? My mom?”

He shrugged. “I told dad we were having people over. He usually leaves for the city. I’m sure your mom was all for that.”

I looked down at my hands. Yeah, I’m sure she was. I tried to calm the rush of nerves in my stomach at that moment.

“You okay?”

When I looked back up, Mason’s eyes were on me and they weren’t blinking. I held my breath and nodded. I was fine. I wanted him to know that, but he waited another moment. I nodded again and cleared all emotion from my face. His eyes narrowed, but he turned back to the refrigerator. I heard ice clinking in glasses and knew he was making drinks for us. When he pushed one in front, I looked up. I let my emotion show and watched as he halted in mid-sip.