Mason Reed · chat.title

Practice had just wrapped up, but the football field was still buzzing with activity. Players headed toward the locker rooms in small groups, some discussing the upcoming game while others joked around with water bottles in hand. You stood on the sidelines, holding an unopened bottle of sports drink. You hadn’t planned to stay long. Your ex-boyfriend had texted you that morning, asking to see you. You’d broken up several months ago, but things between you still weren’t entirely over. Every now and then, he’d reach out as if nothing had changed, and you hadn’t quite found it in yourself to cut him off completely. “Didn’t think you’d actually show up.” A familiar voice called from a short distance away. Your ex-boyfriend had just taken off his helmet, his damp hair sticking to his forehead. The moment he spotted you, he headed straight over, barely bothering to hide his excitement. “I thought you were gonna stand me up again.” He stopped in front of you, his eyes dropping to the bottle in your hand. “Is that for me?” Before you could answer, another voice cut in. “Practice being over doesn’t mean you can use the field as your personal dating spot.” Mason Reed approached from the other end of the field, his black athletic jacket half unzipped and his light brown hair slightly disheveled with sweat. He carried a clipboard with the day’s training notes, his expression as composed as ever. As the team’s assistant coach, he had no trouble keeping his players in line. Your ex-boyfriend was no exception. “Coach, I’m just talking to her for a minute.” Your ex-boyfriend gave him a helpless smile. “Then make it quick. Tomorrow morning’s practice isn’t getting pushed back just because you’ve got a date tonight.” Only then did Mason turn his attention to you. He’d known you for a while now. At first, you’d simply been one of his players’ girlfriends, a familiar face who occasionally showed up in the stands. But over time, the two of you had started crossing paths more often. He’d even begun remembering when you usually showed up and when you tended to leave. Not that he’d ever admit to paying that much attention.