😅

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Mason

I didn't bother going to forth period. Instead I had coach give me a pass and went to the weight room.

I worked myself hard the dull ache I could cause lifting weights was the only thing keeping me from finding Tony and tearing him apart.

When I had walked into class I thought Will looked different, but I couldn't place it, not at first. Then I noticed and it dawned on me. The just barely raised red mark the size of a hand on the side of his face. I'd recognize a slap print anywhere, Shawn has given me enough of them.

Immediately I knew it was Tony, no one else has a problem with Will and even if they did no one else would be stupid enough to fucking slap him.

I finish my third set of reps and the bell rings sending me to practice. The idea of seeing Tony's face and not punching it in is not something I enjoy, but I force myself to focus on taking it out on the field.

When I get to the locker room I nod at Gage "put me on defence today"

He lifts a brow because we both know I normally prefer wide receiver, but I don't leave it open for discussion and he nods "whatever your being weird as fuck today"

I force a shrug and put my equipment on.

The beginning of practice seems to drag on and on. I'm itching to lay into Tony even if it's with equipment.

When we finally start to scrimmage Tony grins as he notices I've changed positions for this practice "your really all over me today huh?"

I shift my jaw "shut the fuck up" the whistle blows and despite it being unnecessary I tackle Tony to the ground, hard.

Coach blows the whistle and gives me a look "Mason?! What the hell you forget how to play?"

I don't say anything and he shakes his head blowing his whistle to start again. I do the same as last time hitting Tony full force.

I continue like this until coach tells me to get off his field unless I can play right. It's worth it to hear Tony groan on the ground "fuck you Mason"

I chuckle darkly and almost turn around, but instead I walk the rest of the way into the locker room.

20 minutes later Gage comes in with the rest of the team "what the fuck was that? You and Tony got bad blood or something?"

I grunt "something like that"

Austin turns to us and looks at me in a way that tells me he knows something. As Gage gets changed I tell him I'll wait outside having already put my gear away.

I wait by the doors and the minute Austin steps out I grunt "come here" he lifts a brow but steps over to me "what's up?"

I roll my eyes and cross my arms "what do you know?" He sighs and shuffles on his feet "I don't..I don't know much, I just notice things"

I nod "what things?"

He crosses his arms "I don't think Gage knows, but I think Tony is bullying Will"

I nod "what did you see?"

Austin's eyes widen at my confirmation "shit! I don't...I always seem to come after it's happened the first time he just seemed to be talking, but Jenna and Will didn't look happy..I know how Tony can get and he was smirking like he knew he'd gotten away with something"

I glare at that and Austin sighs "Then today.."

I perk up wanting to know what happened today

"..I walked in the stairwell just as Tony was leaving, Will was kneeling on the ground and he practically jumped up when I came in, his face was red and he seemed anxious"

I glare at that Will was kneeling?

Austin continues "when I asked him if Tony did anything he said no and that Tony had accidentally hit him with the door I didn't believe him, but he wouldn't say anything different and asked me not to tell Gage"

I cringe "he slapped him, hard enough to leave a mark"

Saying it out loud makes me angry and Austin's eyes widen "I didn't...I didn't know"

I shake my head "not your fault Will won't tell Gage" he tilts his head "why? Will's a nice guy he shouldn't have to deal with that"

I glare "he won't" Austin nods "okay well I'll keep an eye out and next time I'll say something or intervene I don't want Tony hurting Will" I nod and despite my initial jealousy I appreciate Austin's concern for Will.

"Tell me next time, Will doesn't. I have to force him" Austin nods again "for sure man it's nice you care about Gage's brother"

I grunt "yeah"

Austin leaves and I roll my eyes at his words. Caring about Will has little to do with him being Gage's brother.

Gage comes out shortly after and we meet Jenna and Will, who seems nervous, at the car. Will won't meet my eye and I know he's worried about what I said. Tonight he's going to tell me himself what happened. I'm sick of all this "I'm fine" bullshit he's not fine and Tony deserves whatever's coming to him.

Jenna speaks first "well you were a beast on the field today"

I grunt and Gage chuckles "he's in a bit of a mood today"

Jenna laughs, but the look she gives me tells me she knows and understands. She switches her gaze to Will who stares out the window and sighs.

"You guys are going camping this weekend right?" Will looks up "what?..Oh yeah skipping school Friday and we'll come home Sunday"

Gage nods "speaking of camping, Will?"

Will looks up at Gage who nods toward me "you care if Hank and Mason come? Mom and dad are okay with it, but they said I had to ask you"

Will's lips part and I curse myself for not looking away momentarily distracted from my

anger.

Thankfully he licks them and shrugs "um yeah that's fine" Gage grins "great I can't wait!"

Will turns back to the window and Gage grins at me "you coming over man?" I shrug "gotta check on Hank, he slept at a friends house last night"

Gage lifts a brow "which friend?" I shrug "I don't know..some kid from school"

He makes a face "dude! You let him go to some random persons house" I cringe "I'm not actually his parent what was I supposed to say? No?"

Gage huffs "we'll no, but did you at least drop him off?" I blink "on my bike?"

He rolls his eyes "you've got to get over not letting people on that thing seriously" my eyes flick to Will whose already looking at me, I had gotten over it for someone.

Gage shakes his head "I'm not trying to tell you how to parent or brother or whatever, but I'm just saying next time maybe make sure he's going where he says he is"

Jenna nods "yeah Hank seems like a smart kid, but there's a lot of creeps in this world"

I sigh "okay well bring me home I'll make sure he's okay and tell him I want to drop him off next time"

Gage grins "great Jenna are you going home?"

Jenna shakes her head "Will and I have plans"

Will looks up "we do?"

Jenna makes a face "Will are you kidding? Kenny, Nicole, Danny...bowling?"

Will doesn't look excited "oh I forgot what if.."

Jenna doesn't let him finish "your going...besides you need to give Danny his sweater back" she smirks "or get another one" she winks and I tighten my fists he better not come back with another.

Gage grunts from the front seat "is Danny your boyfriend?"

Will blushes furiously and Jenna groans "Gage!"

Gage looks at me "oh shit I forgot Mason doesn't...did I just out you?! Oh fuck I'm sorry dude I didn't.."

Will just shakes his head "it's fine" Gage looks at me seriously "you don't.."

I roll my eyes "couldn't give a fuck Gage" he chuckles "good because it'd be pretty hypocritical since you.." I roll my eyes "fuck guys?"

He laughs awkwardly "yeah that"

He turns his attention to Will "so Danny?" Will sighs "not my boyfriend"

Jenna laughs "yet"

Will glares at her and Gage shifts in his seat awkwardly "is he..like Kade?"

That catches my attention and I watch Will through the mirror. His face flames red and he shakes his head "no no not like that!" Gage laughs while Jenna chuckles, but I just watch Will that is until Gage slaps my arm.

"shocked me at first too, but Will isn't actually a complete prude!"

My entire body stiffens at that, has Will had sex with Kade? I know it's unfair for me out of anyone to be annoyed, but I can't help the jealous rage I feel at the thought.

I force a chuckle, but it's short lived. Will doesn't meet my gaze and I'm thankful when we pull up to my house.

Gage nods "so am I waiting for you to whip Hank into shape?"

I laugh and want to tell him not to wait, but I've been severely neglecting our friendship and nod instead "sure man"

Will looks at me as I leave to head inside and his look makes me cringe. His eyes are filled with worry. I shake my head once as if to tell him not to worry. Even if Shawns home I'm not staying.

I hear Shawn rummaging around in the kitchen and go upstairs knocking lightly on Hank's door.

He pulls it open lazily "what?" I lift a brow "is that anyway to speak to your loving brother?"

He rolls his eyes cracking a smile "I'm going to my friends house again"

I roll my eyes "does this friend have a name?"

He nods "yes obviously" I cross my arms "great and his name is?" Hank rolls his eyes "are you kidding? It's Pope" I tilt my head "Pope? Are his parents like religious?" Hank shrugs "how should I know"

I roll my eyes "fine. Listen I know I just let you go yesterday, but maybe I should I don't know meet this friend or drop you off or something"

Hank looks less then thrilled at that idea but lifts a brow anyway "you going to take me on your bike?"

I chuckle "no Gage is out front"

At that moment Shawn yells "who the fucks outside?"

I cringe and Hank nods pulling his door closed "fine let's go"

We both rush down the stairs and thankfully get to the door before Shawn "it's no one we're leaving" he pauses before yelling "don't come back!" I roll my eyes at that.

We get in the car and Hank grins at Will "cat boy!" Will rolls his eyes "Hanky panky!"

Hank grumbles "stupid nickname" and Gage chuckles "hey! I thought that was some creative genius shit" Hank rolls his eyes not bothering to respond and I nod "Hank's going to his friends house now"

Hank sighs "his names Pope remember? Since you wanted to know it so badly you might as well use it"

I lift brow and Gage laughs "a little heavy on the attitude today Hank" Hank just sticks his tongue out and tells Gage to turn at the next street.

Pope ends up only living a couple streets away from us and his house is nice. Not the kind of house I'd worry about Hank going into.

Gage shrugs "should we walk him to the door?" Hank's eyes widen "absolutely not! thanks for the ride!"

I get out of the car following him towards the house despite him glaring at me "what are you doing?!" I shrug "being a good brother"

Hank looks disgusted at that and grunts "we'll stop!"

I laugh lightly and stand behind him while he groans, but reluctantly rings the doorbell.

The door opens shortly after and a girl probably a year or two older then Hank opens the door "oh Hank hey!"

I lift a brow is this Pope? She grins before screaming "Pope! Door!" I guess not.

She walks away leaving the door wide open and a minute or so later a small boy walks to the door. He's thin and smaller then Hank by a couple inches. He's looking around like he's confused and bumps into the door slightly before he pauses.

"Hank?" I'm confused and Hank grumbles "yeah it's me" the kid, Pope bites his lip. He's anxious, even more anxious then Will and that's saying something. Not to mention weirdly clumsy.

"Oh um hi..." he pauses again squinting "um..whose with you?"

Hank turns as if just remembering I'm there "that's my brother, he's leaving" he says the last part at me pointedly before turning back to Pope "where's your glasses?"

I start to head off the porch as Pope mumbles "Jason..." I'm surprised to say the least and when I get back in the car everyone looks just as surprised as me.

Gage to no ones surprise speaks first "that's him?" He shakes his head "I thought maybe he was boning that girl"

I glare "he's 13 Gage" Gage shrugs "I don't know! Whatever, so what's up with that kid?"

I shrug "he was really shy, I don't think he knew Hank was coming over"

Jenna makes a face "what? Hank just showed up?" I shrug "I guess...I mean he didn't seem to mind, his sister was excited and they let him in"

Gage shrugs "well it's nice hanky panky made a friend" I chuckle at that "I guess it is"

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