Page 54 of I Choose You

I stare him dead in the eye. “A few years.”

“A few years?” He leans back in the rocker again, tilting his head back before scooting to the edge of it. “You’re kidding, right? This whole time you’ve been in love with our best fucking friend? Why didn’t you tell me?”

I’ve always been drawn to Mackenzie, but it wasn’t until her sixteenth birthday that I truly noticed. “Let’s just say I wanted to punch Danny Shaw’s lights out when he rolled up on her doorstep for the winter homecoming dance.”

Luke’s face screws up in doubt. “You wouldn’t punch a damn teddy bear.”

My eyebrows jump. “Exactly.”

He shakes his head. “Last thing I want is for whatever this is to end on bad terms and things turn sour. I love you both and don’t want to see either of you hurt.”

Same, Luke, same.

I don’t want Mackenzie hurting. Don’t want to add to the heartbreak she’s been through. I want to revel in her affections, cherish her every fucking moment I can, but I’m treading carefully so I don’t spook her. She might not be fully aware of it yet, but I want her to realize how serious this is for me.

“I’ve weighed it all out, Luke. She’s walking around with a wounded heart, but I want to love it back to life. It sounds cheesy as hell, but I’m being honest when I say there are no comparisons out there for me.”

“Don’t fuck with her heart, Mase. If you want her, make it known. But if this is nothing more than chasing ass, then end it. It’s not worth losing years of friendship over. Not with her.”

I nod, letting him know I hear him loud and clear. I have no intention of hurting her, nor do I plan on losing her. In any capacity.

25

Mackenzie

“You’re going down this time,” Luke promises, his voice flaring with the promise of victory.

I grin and strap my Velcro together. “We’ll see about that.”

Mason turns to us. “Might not want to take the win yet. This course is different from what we’re used to.”

Our usual course was closed for a birthday party, so we traveled an extra ten miles to try a new course. This place includes a tree stand rather than a boat in the center of the course. If one of us finds the courage to climb it, we deserve the trophy being that it’ll put a big target on our backs. The rest of the field is shaped like a rectangle; the obstacles are primarily made of wooden fixtures with planked walls and gaps for peepholes.

A smug grin takes over Luke’s face. “Coming from the one that hasn’t won the last four times we’ve been on the field.”

“Put a target on your back, Luke. Make it easy for me,” I tell him with a wink. Confidence builds in my chest like it does whenever we come out to paintball. If he makes Mason angry, then Mason will want to take him out first. It’s a win-win for me.

It’s also the last time we’ll be able to get out before the weather gets unbearable and Mason will be hundreds of miles away.

“I might have to make all of you eat your words,” Nelly threatens with a wide grin. “I’m about to whip your asses.”

I laugh at Nelly’s threat. She, Layla, and Owen are gearing up next to us. I invited them in an effort to make this a memorable last paintballing trip before next year. I introduced Owen to everyone back at the house, and he immediately fit in. He’s only back in Maine for a few days before he flies back to Pittsburgh again, and I wanted to make sure we saw each other.

“I don’t know, guys. I’ve never played before, but I might be a professional without even knowing it,” Owen says, smiling hopefully.

“This one is known to take the crown.” Layla pats my head when I bend down to put my shin guards on. “Maybe she’ll take it easy on us and finally let someone else have the title.”

I look up, and my lip curls into a devilish smirk. “Not a chance.”

Mason fixates on me, and a grin spreads across his face. I wondered how he might treat me in front of our friends. While we have displayed no PDA, I’ve caught the glances he sends my way. Each time, it makes me restless. Makes me want to reach out or cling to his side.

“Good luck convincing her of that. Being on the field comes as naturally as a bee making a honeycomb. It’s where she operates best,” Mason praises. Admiration burns in his eyes, making me blush under his gaze. Pride wraps around each of his words, causing a surge of emotion to grow in my chest.

Twenty minutes later, we split into teams, and I’m playing the game smart. Luke, Owen, and I thought our chances might be better if we separated, so rather than running through the buildings and putting a target on my back, I’m camping out in one of the wooden structures with one door for entry and exit. I’m almost certain it’s the only place like it on the field and am surprised when I don’t bump into Mason when I get here. It’s either a smart move if I can focus and react quickly, or it’s a death wish. The one fallback is the square opening next to the door. If the other players are smart, they’ll peep through the makeshift window before entering.

Shots fire off close to where I am, and blood rushes through my body. Someone yells, though I can’t make out who it is, either Nelly or Layla, and I note how early in the round it is to be hit. Then again, this is the name of the game; to take people out sooner than later.

I just hope Luke and Owen are being clever. The smell of fresh cut wood circles me when I lean back against it, reminding me of days on the farm before my parents split and our neighbor would work in his lumber garage.

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