Page 127 of Escape Velocity
Callum’s staring at Mason. The roar of the crowd seems to die off.
It’s just the two of them.
Mason’s eyes water. It’s the reality of their situation. They will never be together in the way they want. He wishes Callum could blow him a kiss. Mason wishes he could yell to Callum that he loves him to keep him going.
But there will always be people watching. People judging. Wanting to separate them.
It’s just how things are. They can’t always have everything.
Callum balls one of his fists and taps his chest twice and then lifts a hand to Mason.
Mason freezes, warmth pooling in his chest.
“Oh my God, Mase. He just did that for you. In front of everyone!” Jenna squeals.
A whistle blows and Callum’s already back on the field.
What did that gesture mean? Why did he do that in front of everyone? Surely people will know that display was for Mason?
He looks around and curious eyes meet his. Some people whisper and glance at him. His cheeks burn and he looks back at the field.
He’s tired of the eyes and the chatter. He’s tired of the judgment.
He just wants it to be he and Callum.
“Touchdown by Steven Mansfield, player five for The Ravens!” the commentator booms as the crowd collectively sighs in disappointment.
The Ravens just got a touchdown that brought them to an even score.
The rest of the final quarter passes by in a blur, with neither team getting another touchdown.
There’s ten seconds left in the game, and the teams are still tied.
Everyone’s standing up. The crowd bubbles, cheers waxing and waning.
Mason’s only staring at Callum. He’s played an insane game, completely on point and making great calls. It doesn’t even matter if they lose, the scouts will surely want him.
It’s one final play, and the ball is Callum’s to throw. Callum seems to relax, and he has this knowing stance about him. Confidence oozes out of him as he throws the ball across the field.
Time slows down and he sees the ball somersault in the air like the projectiles in his practice problems.
It’s all just projectile motion. A simple mechanics problem, but it means so much more in this one moment.
It lands in the hands of Craig, who catches the ball and lands with both feet in the end zone.
Mason knows what happens by Callum’s reaction.
Callum jumps in the air and pumps his fist, and the entire team goes wild. The crowd goes ballistic.
Everyone jumps around like maniacs.
Jenna hugs him and they both jump up and down, their foggy breaths intermingling and the roar of the crows piercing his ears.
They won. Callum won. He won the championship.
Mason stands up, clapping, watching as the team piles on top of each other, laughing and screaming.
“That’s my boyfriend!” Jenna screams to the field.
