She didn’t call me.

                Nor did she show up for school the next day.

                And then it was the weekend.

                Saturday practice went just as predicted. Three hours running, break for lunch, followed by another three hours of running. Coach had us do drills in between laps, which may have possibly been the worst part. The sun was merciless, burning nearly every player’s skin.

                Coach was relentless through-out the whole day. He didn’t give us a break, shouting at anyone who showed the slightest sign of weakness. He was determined to keep us working to our full power for the entire six hours of training.

                “Do you actually want to win state finals or was this just an entire waste of a season?” He’d shout as we dribbled the ball up and down the field, dodging the obstacles in place.

We were on the last lap of the cool-down laps. Rodger and I led the exhausted group as we panted along, barely able to keep going. My breathing was coming in short and ragged, matching Rodger’s. Sweat was dripping off every part of my body. I wiped my forehead, trying to prevent it from falling into my eyes.

                The imaginary finish line was only a few feet away. I pumped my legs, trying to keep going just to cross it. Coach stood at the end, arms crossed over his bare chest.

                Every one had long since discarded of their shirts.

                As soon as I finished my lap, I stopped in my place, bracing my hands against my knees. I sucked in the air as quick as I could, my whole body moving.

                Rodger came up right behind me, collapsing on the ground next to me. He laid on his back, chest rising and falling with his intake of air.

                The rest finished shortly after.

                Coach handed out the water bottles that he had been kind enough to refill. I opened mine, tossing the cap on the ground. Pouring half of it on my head, I sighed in pleasure. The cool water ran down onto my chest, feeling amazing against my warm skin. I chugged the rest of my water bottle.

                Rodger held his up to me, “Do that to me.”

                I nodded, pouring his out onto his exposed chest. I trailed the clear line of water over him. His eyes closed in satisfaction. I handed him the bottle back when it was roughly half-way empty, taking a seat next to him.

                Looking around, I noticed most of the guys doing the same thing. Few remained standing, eyes directed at Coach who stood before us.

                “Alright boys.” He said, grabbing the rest of the group’s attention, “Good job today. I know I was rough, but I gotta whip you guys into shape. You’re starting to slack on the game and we can’t have that with states so close.”

                I rolled my eyes. It wasn’t as close as he made it seem.

                “Remember we have a home game next Friday and an away on Saturday.” He said, “Don’t forget your stuff. I’ll see you Monday for practice.”

                We forced ourselves up, body aching.

                I walked over to Coach weakly, running a hand through my hair. “Yo, Coach!”

                He turned around, eyes searching for the owner of the voice. When they landed on me, his smiled slightly, “What’s up, Johnson?”

                “Next Saturday, don’t I have practice with you?” I frowned, confused. “What are we going to do with the game?”

                “It’s only an hour away from here so you’re going to meet me here on Saturday at 9 and I’ll drive you over at three for the game.”

                I raised an eyebrow, “A five o’clock game?”

                “Early, I know.”

                “Alright, see you, Coach.” I said, picking up my discarded shirt and soccer bag. I followed the rest of the boys to the parking lot, searching for Rodger.

                He was my ride home.

                As my eyes scanned the parking lot for any sign of where my ride went, they landed on a familiar blonde head, walking towards the doors.

                My eyes widened.

                “Rose!” I called, a sudden burst of energy coming on. I jogged over to her figure, despite the protests from my body. Her head turned at the sound of her name, eyes wide with confusion. She stopped once they landed on me.

                I grinned, slowing to a walk as I approached. She leaned against the wall of the school, raising an eyebrow.

                “What have you been doing today?” She asked.

                “Coach had an extra practice today. I’ve been running for nearly six hours now.” I ran a hand through my hair, stopping in front of her. “You didn’t call.”

                “Never said I would.” She smiled innocently.

                I rolled my eyes, “Come on. Can you really resist this?” I waved my hand down my body, showing off.

                I wasn’t insanely ripped, but I was aware that I had a good body. The fact was reinforced as Rose’s eyes trailed down my chest slowly before snapping back to my face. I smirked at her, crossing my arms. Her face flushed.

                “I knew you wanted it.”

                “I don’t want you.”

                “Mason!” A deep voice called. I glanced over my shoulder to see Caden leaning against his car in the parking lot. I frowned, before turning back to Rose.

                “I see your ride’s here.” She said “I’ll be leaving.”

                “Wait,” I grabbed her wrist before she could leave. She looked at me curiously, tugging on her wrist slightly. I didn’t let go. I smiled boyishly, flipping my hair to the side, “Date tomorrow?”

                Rose’s eyes narrowed, “No. You lost the deal.”

                “Understudy is a part!”

                “No it’s not!”

                “Please?” I pouted, giving her puppy-dog eyes.

                She rolled her eyes, giggling, “No, Mason. I don’t date your type.”

                “My type?”

                “You’re a heartbreaker.” She stated simply.

                I frowned, “No, Doll, that’s Rodger. I don’t do shit like that to girls.”

                She rolled her eyes, “You’re just saying that now.”

                “Mason! Get your ass over here!” Caden called again, sounding increasingly annoyed with having to wait.

                I didn’t glance back, rolling my eyes. Rose smiled slightly.

                “Look, Mason, I need to go. Seriously, you should forget about this. It’s not going to happen.” She pulled her hand out of my grip.

                “It won’t if you keep saying no.”

                “Exactly.”

                I groaned, “I’ll get a date one of these days, Rose.”

                She rolled her eyes, a faint smile across her lips. “I’ll see you later, Mason. Maybe next time you’ll wear a shirt?”

                I laughed, “You know you like this!”

                She didn’t say anything, walking into the building.

                I sighed, turning around and walking back towards Caden. He looked angry, arms crossed over his chest, eyebrows pulled together. He leaned against the hood on his car in denim jeans and a white t-shirt.

                “’Sup Caden?” I asked as I approached.

                It looked like Rodger had already left.

                “Get in.” He grumbled, opening the driver’s door.

                “What’s up your ass today?” I asked dropping my bag into the backseat of the car. I climbed into the passenger’s seat, rolling down the window.

                “Your sister’s in one of her moods again.”

                I rolled my eyes. “This was quicker than usual.”

                He rolled his shoulders, not saying anything. I turned the radio up loud as the air whipped by as we drove. Caden sped up past the speed limit to give us the maximum amount of air. I patted my hand to the beat of the song against the roof of the car on the outside.

                We arrived back at the apartment a few minutes later.

                “How was practice?” Joey asked, sitting on the couch. She had a bowl of pretzels on her lap, the AC cranked up.

                It felt nice inside.

                I collapsed in the chair, taking in a deep breath, “Horrible. Coach wants me to do more Saturday practices individually.”

                “Why?” She asked, frowning slightly. She muted the TV and looked at me curiously. Caden walked in, slamming the door shut. Joey rolled her eyes.

                I shrugged, not wanting to tell her the truth, “He thinks I need to work on my form or something like that.”

                “Mase, you’re one of the best players on the team. If anything, that Liam kid needs to work on his form.”

                I shrugged, “I don’t care, really. He’s giving me a ride to Saturday’s game next weekend after practice.”

                “Oh, good.” She smiled “Because my new job requires me to work on Saturdays now and I would’ve missed your game.”

                “You got the job?!” I grinned, sitting up.

                She grinned, “I just got the call a couple minutes before you guys came back!”

                Caden pulled her face to his, kissing her hard on the mouth. He pulled away, leaving Joey grinning like an idiot “I knew you’d get it, Pumpkin.”

                It seemed as if any tension between them had disappeared once they kissed. That was how it usually was.

                “Thanks, boys.” She said, “It’s more hours, but there’s more pay involved.”

                “You still working at Applebee’s?” Caden asked.

                Joey nodded, “Yeah, but I’m doing part time now so I’ll have most days free in the evening now instead.”

                “Joey, this is fantastic!” I said enthuastically

                “We should go out to celebrate.” Caden suggested.

                Joey’s cheeks tinted red, “No, Caden, it’s just a promotion. It’s not that big of a deal...”

                “My treat. Let’s go. We’ll go to that fancy Italian restaurant that you like downtown.” He said, kissing the top of her head.

                “No…” She objected, but I could tell we were going out for the evening.

                I stood up, “Let me go shower and we’ll head out.”

                Caden nodded, rolling his eyes dramatically, “Good. I wasn’t going to say anything, but Mase you smell like ass.”

                I laughed, “Shut up, Caden.”

                The shower only took a few minutes. I doused myself with Axe before slipping into shorts and a green tee. I hung a cross off my neck before finally satisfied with my appearance.

                By the time I walked out of my room, Caden and Joey were waiting at the stairs for me. I grabbed my sneakers, putting them on without socks. Joey made a face, but ignored it, eager to get to the restaurant.

                We drove with all the windows down. Caden held Joey’s hand as they sat in the front. I stretched my legs out a little in the back. Caden blared the radio as we drove, turning it to the classic rock station.

                We sang along with the songs that played, horribly

                The restaurant was a quaint little place on the corner of Main Street and Arch Street. It had only opened up a few years ago, but it got business as if it was part of the big chains. It was one of the rare places where it was possible to eat real Italian food. The family that owned had emigrated from Italy to America to start the business.

                Caden parked on the opposite side of the road, dropping a few quarters into the meter. He grabbed Joey’s hand before leading the way across the street.

                “Three” Caden said to the hostess, his arm around Joey’s waste.

                My eyes fell on the girl, checking her out. She was short, probably only a little past five foot. Her hair was dyed brown on top with bleach blonde on the bottom. Bright blue eyes were hidden under her bangs and a metal ring looped around her bottom lip on the right. Her eyes met mine as she grabbed the menus.

                I smirked slightly, standing a little broader.

                Caden nudged me casually with his elbow.

                “This way.” The girl said, leading us off to a booth. My eyes trailed down her body to her ass, watching it as she walked.

                Joey slapped the back of my head, “Come on, Mason. Can’t you not do that for once?”

                I grinned sheepishly as I sat on the opposite side of the booth from the two lover birds. Caden chuckled at Joey’s reaction.

                “Your waiter, Steven will be here shortly.” The girl said, returning back to her podium at the front. My eyes trailed down to her ass again as she walked away.

                Joey kicked my shin. “Mason.”

                “Joey, I’m a guy. I have needs. She’s hot. I can’t help it if my eyes happen to fall on her ass.” I shrugged.

                Caden covered his mouth with his hand to hide his laughter. Joey wasn’t finding this as amusing as he was.

                “That’s so disrespectable to women everywhere.” Joey snapped, “You’re never going to get a girlfriend if you keep that up.”

                “You seem to keep forgetting that I’ve had plenty of girlfriends through-out my life, Joey.” I laughed.

                She narrowed her eyes, “Well you won’t get any more if you keep acting like such a pig around every one.”

                “Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Caden here do the exact same thing to you all those years ago?” I smirked, knowing I had won the battle, “And yet you went out with him?”

                She frowned, “That’s different.”

                “Not really…”

                “Whatever.” She rolled her eyes, dropping the subject as the waiter approached our table with a notepad in his hands.

                “Hi, I’m Steven and I’ll be your waiter tonight.” He said in a monotonous voice. “Can I get you anything to drink?”

                We listed off our drinks as he scribbled it down. Joey and Caden opened their menus, even though they both knew what they wanted already.

                I sighed, staring off into space, my mind wandering to the encounter with Rose earlier today. Why wouldn’t she just go on one little date with me?

I felt a vibration in my pocket. I pulled my phone out, checking the message. It was from an unknown number. I clicked open the message reading it.

It's Rose. I need a favor. Call me when you can.

******************

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Rose needs a favor(: This story is going to pick up speed now, don't worry.!(: