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Will

I had spent the majority of my night desperately trying to tune out the noise of yet another one of my older brothers infamous parties. Thankfully this one ended early at 2:00am and I am finally starting to fall asleep. That is until someone comes stumbling into my room and falls face first onto my bed. Their arm landing across my back pinning me down.

I'm speechless for a moment before I start squirming around under the heavy arm "hey! Get up!" The guy next to me groans and turns his head barely opening his eyes "shut up Will" My breath freezes in my lungs and my eyes widened it's Mason.

Mason who happened to be my brothers best friend and even worse; the star in all of my steamy dreams. And here he was asleep in my bed, his arm pinning me down. I'm pretty sure I've dreamed of this exact moment. Of course it had gone down differently...specifically I wasn't ambushed into this position and Mason wasn't piss drunk, but here we are.

Unsure what to do I try yet again to move away from Mason who only tightens his arm grunting "stop fucking moving" I bit my lip pausing "but...your in my bed Mason" Mason doesn't bother lifting his head mumbling against the sheets "don't give a fuck" I cringe. I don't argue with Mason, no one argues with Mason. He's tough and frankly scary as hell...in the hottest way possible, but there is absolutely no way I can sleep a whole night with Mason this close to me.

"Um..fine just move your arm" Mason doesn't respond this time and I start to panic slightly.

He fell back asleep?! I try to think of a way out of this situation but eventually decide I'm stuck here...in this bed...all night...with Mason. The realization makes me uneasy, but I slide back down and force myself to try and go back to sleep. Despite my current predicament it's easier then I'd expect and only shortly after I'm dead to the world.

•••

I wake up to snoring and groan annoyed, however, it suddenly dawns on me that I have not woken up to snoring since Gage and I stopped sharing a room when he was in 5th grade.

At this realization my eyes open quickly and a momentary burst of shock hits me before the memories of Mason's unexpected entrance into my room last night come back.

I glance down remembering why I had been so worried and curse at the semi erection you could clearly see in my boxers. I look over to Mason whose face is still pressed against the pillow, mouth open slightly, and I'm thankful his arm had moved off of me in the night. Allowing me to get out of bed easily without waking him. I leave the room quietly and head across the hall to shower.

I make my shower quick and I'm sure to end it cold. Hopping out I dry off quickly before putting on some sweatpants and a t-shirt. Jumping back the minute I open the bathroom door surprised to find Gage across the hall looking into my room. He turns and crosses his arms nodding toward my door "why the fuck is Mason in your bed?"

My eyes widen for half a second before I force myself to roll them and shrug "he must have stumbled in there drunk when I came to the bathroom..pretty annoying I had to sleep on the couch in dads office" it feels like an eternity while I watch Gage's face to see if he believed my lie.

He chuckles "shit sorry man we had so many shots last night" I let out a sigh of relief as he turns back to my bed walking up to it and shaking Mason "isn't that right sleeping beauty?"

Mason grunts sitting up "I will fuck you up if you yell near me again" While my eyes widen and my body shivers slightly at the threat Gage doesn't flinch having never been concerned with Masons aggressive attitude. If anything he thinks its funny.

Mason stands and stretches before pausing and looking around "what the fuck?" Gage chuckles "yeah apparently you tried to seduce my little brother last night, good thing he has good taste and knows a loser when he sees one" I cringe, if only Gage knew Mason was exactly my taste.

Mason looks at me and glares as if I would tell Gage that Mason hit on me! Thankfully Gage draws his attention away from me as he starts to laugh and Mason realizes it's a joke. A shitty joke, but a joke none the less.

I bite my lip "uh...are you leaving?" Gage looks back at me "oh sorry baby bro I'll take Mason and go, you might want to wash your sheets if you don't want to catch anything" Mason punches his arm and Gage laughs loudly as he walks past me out the door. Mason gives me a look that I can't read as he follows him out of the room.

I watch them go before shutting my door and turning to my bed. Mason slept in my bed. I cringe I shouldn't get excited he was drunk. It was an accident. It will never happen again.

I head downstairs shortly after and find Gage grabbing his keys "hey, Mason and I are heading for breakfast you in?" I nod immediately. My plan to avoid Mason and any awkwardness will have to wait, food is on the table and I don't say no to food.

Just then Mason walks over rolling his eyes when he sees me "we're bringing baby Jackson with us?" Gage chuckles "play nice you slept in his bed last night" Mason looks at me up and down slowly "fine"

It doesn't take us long to get to the diner and I freeze when I notice that all the other football players are sitting inside "um Gage?!" He pauses a knowing look on his face "yes?" I glare pouting "you didn't say the entire team would be here!" He chuckles "I didn't?" I bite my lip and sink into myself. The entire team in one room was intimidating, a room full of jocks and one closeted gay loner was not my ideal situation. If anything it was a disaster waiting to happen.

My stomach grumbled as if reminding me why we're here and I reluctantly follow Gage inside. He immediately grins and calls out to the guys all sitting in the back corner. We walk over and he pulls out a chair sitting down. I awkwardly take the seat next to him leaving the empty seat for Mason so I wouldn't have to sit next to any of the other guys. Instead I was on the end, and unfortunately that seemed worse when I realized everyone was looking at me.

"You brought Baby Jackson!" I cringe feeling my cheeks heat up as the guys call my name "how's it going dude?" I shrug towards the guy who asked, Austin I think. He's nice enough "not bad" he gives me a genuine smile and it helps to calm my nerves slightly, but I'd still rather be anywhere else. My eyes slide to Tony the one guy on the team who has some sort of personal vendetta against me.

Gage is obviously unaware of his constant bullying when no ones around, I'd rather keep it that way. Despite Tony being a total asshole I didn't need Gage to become some over protective brother that defends me at every chance he gets. Tony smirks at me, but we both know he won't do anything with Gage and everyone else around.

Thankfully the conversation doesn't stay on me for long and I'm able sink down into my chair hopeful I'll be forgotten. The waitress takes our order and my leg unconsciously starts bouncing my anxiety kicking in. I hate ordering food in front of other people, let alone 8 jocks who work out multiple times a week and look like they have a 0% body fat.

Thankfully she starts at the other end of the table, but the anticipation almost makes it worse. I decide beforehand what I'm getting and practice saying it in my head, but know I'll probably mess it up either way. She's finishes with Gage and I'm next, my leg bounces if possible faster and I'm a little panicked if we're being honest. That is until someone's hand lands on my leg steadying it Mason clears his throat "stop" I blink at him, but my attention is called to the waitress as she asks for my order.

"uh can I just have blueberry waffles with bacon please" she smiles kindly at me "of course sweetie, no double platter like the rest of these guys?" I shake my head quickly appreciating she's trying to be friendly, but wishing she'd allow the attention to move off me "no thank you" she nods and turns taking Masons order.

His hand is removed as soon as I finish ordering, but I can't help and peer at him slightly. He glances at me before rolling his eyes as if to say "forget about it", but I can't. Mason helped me to not freak out...it was kind of sweet. And of course now I'll have an even harder time not thinking about the way he makes my legs tingle and my stomach flutter with butterflies.

I'm extremely thankful when our food arrives and I have something to focus my attention on. I'm pretty sure the rest of the guys had forgotten I was there, but I was starting to think my "discreet" glances at Mason were not as discreet as I thought them to be and I should definitely stop. Which is why I appreciate the opportunity to forget about my hopeless crush and dive into my waffles no other care in the world.

I don't worry about the other guys as I eat, my only focus on my meal. That is until Gage starts chuckling beside me "damn Will slow down" I feel my cheeks immediately flood with colour and drop my fork clumsily it clattering against my plate as I swallow "I uh I was hungry" Gage chuckles used to my awkwardness, Mason however, grunts "let him eat I want to get going, I got shit to do" I look back down at my plate, but pace myself eating much slower this time.

That being said, I still finish quickly and Gage nods toward Mason "you seriously want to go now?" Mason shrugs "got shit to do" the guy next to Gage looks up "what?! You guys are leaving already?"

Mason rolls his eyes "I'm leaving. Gage can stay if he wants I'll catch a cab" I bite my lip looking between Mason and Gage I want to go home. No way I want to be stuck here with Gage and the rest of the team longer then I have to. Their nice enough, but we all know this isn't exactly my scene. Mason catches my eye for a second and crosses his arms sighing before surprising me as he leans back into his seat "it's fine. I'll stay for a while longer then we gotta go" Gage grins "knew you'd come around"

I lift a brow wondering what prompted Mason to stay longer? We only end up staying another half an hour and I'm thankful when we leave. I get in the back and Gage turns looking at me "see wasn't so bad was it?" I shrug and he chuckles "your lucky you have a cool older brother like me, I could get you an in with the cool kids" I bite my lip I don't want an "in with the cool kids", but I don't say that, I just give Gage a sarcastic smile "sure" he gives me one last smile before turning around and heading home.

He stops to drop Mason off first and I peer out the window I've only seen Mason's house a couple of times. Usually for brief moments to pick him up; His lawn is a little overgrown and the front porch is starting to fall apart.

Mason gets out and grunts "thanks man" Gage shrugs "all good see you later tonight?" Mason's eyes drift over to me before he answers "maybe, I'll..." before he can finish his sentence the front door opens and a guy in sweats and a dirty white muscle shirt steps out.

"Mason?! You gotta run and get more beer! I've been waiting all fucking day you piece of shit!"

My eyes widen and Mason growls "fuck I gotta go" he turns away and storms up toward the guy "I'll get your fucking beer go inside before the neighbour's call the cops, again!" The man looks angry and I'm worried, but Gage pulls away heading home.

"shit...wasn't expecting his dad to be awake" I blink at him "that's Mason's dad?" Gage makes a face "you can't say anything. Mason can handle himself and it's none our buisness alright?" I nod slowly not sure I should be agreeing to this vow of silence "I guess, will he be okay?" Gage nods "always is" I don't find his response reassuring but just take his word for it. Gage and Mason have been friends for years if something were truly wrong Gage would do something, that I am sure of.

We get back to our place and I head up to my room, I have studying to do and would rather it be done now before my test tomorrow. However, only 15 minutes in my phone rings and I look down to see Jenna is calling me. I answer the phone knowing if I try and ignore my best friend she'll only end up calling 100 more times or until I answer.

"Hello?" Jenna yells making me jump "what's up!" I cringe "studying" she groans loudly into my ear "your always studying" I roll my eyes because she's right, but we're students that's essentially our purpose.

"Yeah yeah, soooo you called because?" She scoffs "don't be rude you love talking to me" when I don't agree she sighs "anyway I just wanted to know if your taking the bus or if Gage can give us a ride again? Because if that's going to become a normal thing I won't complain" I chuckle. Gage bringing us to and from school the other day had actually not been as annoying as I had originally suspected. Even waiting for him on the bleachers to finish practice was better then taking the bus.

I mumble to Jenna "mmm I'll have to ask him" she barely lets me finish before responding "great! Just let me know" I get up and walk downstairs "just hold on I'll ask right now"

I find Gage unsurprisingly in the kitchen raiding the cupboards "hey can you give Jenna and I a ride to school tomorrow or do you have practice?" He pulls his head out of the cupboard and shrugs popping a cookie into his mouth "no practice, so sure" I put my phone back to my ear cringing as Gage shoves another cookie in his mouth with the first one.

"He'll drive us" Jenna cheers and I tell her I'll see her in the morning wanting to get back to studying. We say our goodbyes and I head back to my room opening my text books.

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