Page 24 of Well Played

The sound of the locker room door slamming open jolted us apart. I turned to see Mason standing in the doorway.

"What the hell is going on here?" he demanded.

Seth stepped in front of me instinctively, shielding me from Mason. "It's not what it looks like," he said, his hands held up trying to stop Mason from advancing.

Mason stalked forward; his eyes locked on the polar bear head that had fallen to the floor. "Is that...is that the mascot costume?" he asked, his voice dangerously low.

I swallowed hard, my mouth dry with fear. I knew there was no point in lying, not now.

Well, I might as well let him see it all. With shaking hands, I reached up and unzipped the front of the suit, letting it fall away to reveal my sweat-soaked t-shirt and shorts, before I stepped around Seth and stood in front of Mason.

"Sprout?" Mason said, confusing twisting across his face.

I nodded, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. "I'm sorry, Mason," I said, my voice small and trembling. "I never meant for you to find out like this."

But Mason wasn't listening. His gaze had shifted to Seth, his eyes narrowing with anger. "And you," he said. "What the hell are you doing with my sister. And why didn’t you tell me she was the mascot?"

Seth stood tall behind me, as he placed his hands passively on my hips. "Mason, I know this looks bad, but I swear, it's not what you think."

Mason eyed where Seth’s hands where before letting out a harsh laugh. "Oh really? Because it looks to me like you were just kissing my little sister, who also happens to be the mascot that I happen to hate. So, you tell me, Seth, what exactly am I supposed to think?"

I stepped forward, as Seth’s hands dropped from my body. "Mason, please," I said, my voice shaking. "This isn't Seth's fault. I'm the one who decided to be the mascot, and I'm the one who made the first move towards him. I have feelings for him."

Mason's head snapped towards me. "Feelings?" he repeated, his voice rising with each word. "Are you telling me that you two are...are together?"

I swallowed hard, my eyes darting to Seth's masklike face. "Yes," I said. "We are."

"I can't believe this," Mason said, as he started to pace the room, his voice shaking with anger. "My own sister, sneaking around behind my back with my best friend. And you," he said, rounding on Seth. "How long has this been going on? How long have you fucking my little sister?"

Seth's face paled. "Mason, it's not like that," he said, his voice low and intense. "I would never disrespect Hazel that way."

Yet. We haven’t. Yet. Although I really wanted to.

Mason wasn't listening. He took a step forward towards Seth, his finger digging into his chest with every word. "If I find out that you've laid a hand on her," he said. "I swear to God, I'll kill you myself."

I felt a surge of anger, mixed with a little fear and shame. How dare Mason talk about me like that. Like I couldn't make my own decisions about my own body and my own heart?

I stepped forward, placing myself between Mason and Seth. "That's enough, Mason," I said. "I am not a child, and I am not your property. Who I choose to be with, and what I choose to do with my own body, is none of your damn business."

Hurt flashed across Mason’s face. "Hazel," he said, his voice softening slightly. "I'm just trying to protect you."

I shook my head, tears blurring my vision. "I don't need your protection, Mason. I need your trust, and your respect. I need you to see me as a person, as a woman with needs, not just as your little sister."

Mason just stood there; his shoulders slumped. I never spoke to my brother like that.

“You are my hero and always will be Mason. But I also need space for my own life, and that space, at the moment, includes Seth.”

I turned to Seth, taking his hand. "I'm sorry," I said. "I never meant for it to happen like this."

I turned back to Mason. "I know this is a lot to take in," I said, "and I know you're hurt and angry. But I need you to understand that this is my life, and my choice. And I choose Seth, and everything that comes with him."

Mason stared at me for a long moment, his face unreadable. Slowly, he nodded, as he tipped to chin to me. "Okay, Hazel. I don’t know why you want Seth, but I'll try to understand."

I stepped forward, wrapping my arms around Mason's waist, burying my face in his chest. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice muffled by his jersey. "Thank you for trusting me."

Mason hugged me back, his chin resting on the top of my head. "I do trust you, Sprout," he murmured. "I just want you to be happy."

I pulled back. "I am happy, Mason," I said. "Happier than I've ever been."

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