Change of Plans_An Echo Ridge Romance

by Cami Checketts

  He arched an eyebrow and studied her, unable to resist saying, “That’s why you look so familiar.”

  Her cheeks turned red, and she pulled her hand back. She dipped her head and pulled her lower lip between her teeth for half a second before saying, “You probably noticed my roommate, Lolly. She always made me sit in the front row and screamed like crazy for you.”

  “So, you only came for Lolly’s sake?” Her sweet shyness and biting her lip like that made him long to shove Mason out of the way.

  Mason tugged her closer to him, grinning. “She went for me. I’ve turned her into a lacrosse junky.”

  Kaitlyn smiled sweetly at Mason. Her eyes swung back to Axel, and her cheeks got even darker. Axel hated to admit that they were a perfect-looking couple, both blonde and beautiful and seemingly nice people. He suddenly wanted to get out of this backyard more than he wanted to beat the Denver Outlaws for the national title next year.

  Maryn squeezed his neck and pulled his concentration away from Mr. and Mrs. Perfect. “Tell me about the time you broke three guy’s ankles and scored over Denver’s goalie. He’s the best in the nation!”

  Axel couldn’t help but laugh. “What do you know about breaking ankles?”

  She gave him a disgusted look. “I know everything about lacrosse.”

  Everyone chuckled, and he relaxed a little bit. Maryn was exactly what he needed to get through this night without asking his angel, er Kaitlyn, why she’d never called and why she had to have a boyfriend. He’d concentrate on Maryn and try to keep his eyes from straying to the blonde beauty that was ripping him up inside without even meaning to.

  Kaitlyn pulled her gaze from Axel and her hand from Mason’s grip, grateful for the excuse to carry leftovers inside and help Emma cleanup. Tonight had been horrible. She’d done all she could to not stare at Axel. Then she had wondered if that made it even more obvious she had a monstrous crush on the all-star, and she’d been completely uncomfortable with Mason touching her and being so nice to her like he always was. This was a nightmare, and it was all her fault. Why, oh why, did both Mason and Axel have to be so fabulous? Why couldn’t she get Axel, who she hardly knew, out of her head, and keep Mason, who she’d committed to years ago, there?

  “You doing okay, sweetie?” Emma asked as they scooped leftovers into plastic containers. Emma was a fabulous cook but always made way too much. Kaitlyn knew that not too long ago Emma and Mason hadn’t had enough food and she loved seeing Emma be able to overfeed her family.

  “Um, sure, yeah, well, I kind of have a headache.” Kaitlyn fumbled with what to say that wouldn’t make it obvious she was a complete mess.

  Emma looked at her far too perceptively. She gave her a quick hug and said, “I know it’s hard. You and Mace have just had the summer together, and now he’s heading back to school.”

  Okay, luckily Emma wasn’t as perceptive as Kaitlyn feared.

  The back door burst open, and Axel’s large frame filled it. The oxygen sucked out of Kaitlyn’s lungs, and she had to grip the counter to stay upright. His dark eyes swept over her before he focused on Emma. “Maryn fell. She needs you.”

  Emma ran for the back door, hurrying past Axel. “Thanks.”

  Axel nodded and then turned back to focus on Kaitlyn. Maryn’s cries rent the evening air. How had she not noticed that before? She’d better get out there and check on her little friend. She loved Maryn and Addison so much. Heck, she loved the entire family. She allowed herself to look directly at Axel, and the world seemed to tilt. Why, oh why, did she have to have these stupid feelings about a man who would never be reality when the man she was supposed to be with was right outside?

  She looked away from Axel’s dark eyes and hurried to brush past him. “Excuse me,” she muttered.

  Axel reached out and touched her arm. He didn’t grasp it or pull her to a stop or anything, but his magnetism yanked her back all the same. Her legs stopped moving, and she unconsciously leaned toward him. He smelled like the most intriguing mixture of some kind of musk, with amber undertones and lime. She inhaled, savoring it.

  Maryn’s cries had settled, but Kaitlyn was certain she wouldn’t have heard a cartoon bomb whistle by overhead as Axel leaned close and whispered, “Do you still have the ball?”

  Kaitlyn’s eyes flew to his. The warm touch of his hand on her arm was doing funny things to her stomach, or maybe it was his scent, or maybe it was the way he looked at her, like an eight-year old at his first major league lacrosse game.

  “Yes.” She couldn’t lie to him, and her insides jumped for joy with the confirmation that he’d remembered, even though he’d said nothing about the ball earlier.

  Axel grinned and removed his hand. “Think you’ll ever use it?”

  Kaitlyn took a quick breath. “Do you think you deserve to be that blessed?” It was a lot sassier than she wanted to be with him, but she needed him to back off or she was going to fling herself into his arms. Then Mason’s entire family would witness how fickle and uncommitted she’d become since Axel Olson had handed her that ball three months ago.

  “I don’t know that any man deserves that, but I’ve been hoping.” He gave her a devastating smile.

  Kaitlyn was caught up in his gaze and everything in the world fell away but the two of them.

  “Kaitlyn, you okay?” Mason’s voice yanked her back to reality.

  She whipped away from Axel and took three steps to Mason’s side. He wrapped an arm around her. Solid, steady, and good—that was Mason. “I’ve got a pretty bad headache,” she said.

  “I’ll take you home.” Mason nodded to Axel as they walked past him through the house. Kaitlyn couldn’t allow herself to look at the superstar again. He was unattainable, unrealistic, lived in an alternate reality, yet none of that had mattered when he’d smiled at her moments ago.

  Suddenly, she stopped. “Wait. Is Maryn okay?”

  “She’s fine.” Mason reassured her, squeezing her waist. “She just needed a little mom attention.”

  Kaitlyn forced a smile in return. “Tell her I’ll bring her a treat tomorrow.”

  “I will.”

  They reached the front door and walked out onto the porch. Kaitlyn hadn’t let herself look back, but somehow, she knew Axel’s eyes had been on her the entire time they walked away. The headache wasn’t a lie, but it was self-induced because of the irresistible pull toward Axel that she kept trying to fight.

  Mason escorted her to his Ford Explorer and helped her inside. It was parked next to Axel’s silver Lexus sport utility. She couldn’t escape thinking about him. It was like he was everywhere she looked. Even if there was no chance of getting to know Axel better, she needed to talk to Mason about their relationship or she was going to go crazy.

  They were both quiet on the drive up the hill to her house. Mason was quick to run around and get her door, walking her up the steps with his broad arm slung around her back. Memories started rushing back to her, like this was the last time they would ever do this and she needed to savor it.

  “Remember the first time you walked me to my door?” she asked.

  Mason let out a surprised laugh. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget. Chelsea drove us here in Chayton’s truck.”

  She smiled wistfully. “You protected me from Gabe.”

  He grinned at her. “The kiss you gave me was worth fighting Gabe and his buddies.”

  They stopped outside her front door. Kaitlyn remembered that kiss too, the sweetness and excitement of it. They’d been so innocent, and she’d idolized him. Why couldn’t they go back there?

  He looked over her eight-foot tall front door and the columned front porch. “I used to be so intimidated by your parents and this house.”

  “I know, but you shouldn’t have been. You’re going to do great things, Mace.”

  He cocked his head to the side, appraising her with his clear blue eyes.

  Kaitlyn shifted her weight and could hardly hold his gaze. This conversation was a long time coming, but
she kept second-guessing even initiating it. Why did doing the right thing have to be so tough?

  “Why do I feel like you’re saying goodbye?” Mason asked quietly.

  Kaitlyn dipped her head and bit at her lip.

  Mason gently tilted up her chin. “I love it when you do that.”

  “Oh, Mason.” She shook her head, tears stinging the corners of her eyes.

  “Hey. What’s going on?” He tugged her against his strong chest.

  Kaitlyn rested her forehead on his shoulder. He smelled like clean laundry detergent and man. How in the world could she write off this good, solid man that she had so much history with for someone she didn’t even know? Probably someone she didn’t even have a chance with. But just as quickly as she thought that, she pictured Axel’s dark eyes as he asked her if she still had the ball. That stupid, traitorous ball!

  Mason pulled back slightly, and she glanced up at him. “What’s going on, Kait?”

  “I feel like things are … comfortable between us.”

  He gave her his slow, easy grin that used to make her legs go to gush. “And that’s a bad thing?”

  “No, but yeah.” She shook her head. “I know that things aren’t always going to be fireworks and sparks, but it’s almost like we’re siblings or really great friends. When you kiss me, it’s … nothing like it used to be.” She winced as she said that, but he deserved the truth.

  Mason stared at her. Kaitlyn was waiting for him to maybe kiss her and prove her wrong or something, but he just stared. “Do you want to be done?” His voice sounded resigned, like he’d known this was coming.

  Kaitlyn pulled all the way out of his arms. This was hard, and she wasn’t ready to be done with Mason, with his friendship, yet this needed to be said. They needed to either work through this slump in their relationship or move on and date other people.

  “Maybe.” She met his gaze, and the sadness there ripped at her. “You’re one of my best friends, Mace, but if you think about it, neither of us have really dated anyone else. Since junior year of high school, it’s always been us.”

  He swallowed, and she watched his Adam’s apple bob. She glanced back at his handsome face. He was every bit as handsome as Axel.

  “What can I do, Kait?”

  She closed her eyes. He was so great, and she was a complete jerk, but now that they were talking, she felt like she had to say this. She had to try this. “I think we need to date other people.”

  Mason flinched like she’d slapped him. “Is there someone particular you want to date?”

  “Maybe.” She swallowed hard. “Yeah.”

  “Where’d you meet him?” His blue eyes darkened, and his hand clenched into a fist.

  “In the city.” Should she tell him it was Axel? No. That would be stupid. It was her fantasizing about Axel that had initiated this conversation, but now that they were having it, even though it was awful, it felt like it was past time to do something about their lackluster relationship. She didn’t want to just stay with him because it was the plan. Mason deserved better than that and so did she. “Come on, Mace, I’m sure you have girls begging for a smile from you at Syracuse.” Why did that not bother her? It should, it really should.

  His brow furrowed. “So what?”

  “Haven’t you ever wondered what it would be like to kiss someone besides me?” Axel’s dark good looks flashed through her mind, but she forced them out quickly. This wasn’t about Axel. It was about her and Mason. If they could ever have a future, they both needed to be sure this wasn’t just a default relationship because they’d always been together.

  He rubbed his right palm on the side of his pants. “I can’t believe we’re having this conversation.”

  Kaitlyn looked away. She hated that she was hurting him, but wouldn’t it be worse to never question anything, get married after they graduated, not be happy, and maybe get divorced or just be miserable and never admit it?

  “How long have you been feeling like this?” Mason asked quietly.

  “Pretty much all last year.”

  He pushed a hand through his longish hair. “That’s why you’ve been kind of off with me all summer.”

  “I’m sorry, Mace.” He’d noticed. Aw, crap.

  A few long seconds passed. Then he muttered, “You think dating other people is going to help us somehow?”

  “Maybe. Either we’ll realize we want to be together, or we’ll want to move on.” Oh, that sounded so heartless. This was not a fun conversation to have with someone you cared about.

  Mason tenderly touched her cheek. Kaitlyn couldn’t resist leaning into his large palm.

  “I’ll do whatever you want, Kait. I hate the idea of you dating anyone else, but I hate the thought of us getting married and either one of us second-guessing if it was right even more, you know?”

  Kaitlyn smiled tremulously at him, grateful for him and his understanding.

  He gave her a quick peck and then pulled her close again. Kaitlyn drew from his strength but realized the hug and the short kiss just reaffirmed what she was saying. Friendship, kindness, and strength were what she felt from and for Mason. She wondered if he was relieved or upset. He didn’t say anything, which was so like him too. Always the strong, silent type.

  He released her, and she pushed on the front door handle. The door swung inward, light and air conditioning spilling out.

  “I’m going to be helping Chayton with camp and some house projects tomorrow,” he said, “but could we go to Jack’s tomorrow night?”

  “Sure.” She gave him a smile. He’d be gone Sunday, and she wouldn’t see him again until Thanksgiving, unless they both came back for Homecoming Weekend like they had last year.

  “Do you care if we don’t tell my family until we know which direction we’re going?” He blew out a breath. “They all love you so much.”

  It was a stab in the gut. Mason’s family. She loved them like they were her own. She was fine with waiting to say something to them. Maybe all her worries about her and Mason’s relationship and desire for Axel would blow over; and Mason’s family would never know they’d gone through this bumpy stretch.

  “Sure.”

  He nodded to her, not going for a kiss or even a hug as she slipped inside. She leaned against the door, feeling drained of all strength. This was much harder than she’d ever imagined it would be, yet at the same time, she felt relief. It was like she’d been wearing her favorite pair of running shoes for too long and they were causing overuse injuries and she’d finally forced herself to donate them to Goodwill. It had always just been Mason for her. The future right now seemed wide open, but also kind of empty. She’d done the right thing, so why did it hurt so much?

  Chapter Four

  Axel had stayed late into the evening talking to Chayton and Emma. Mason hadn’t returned until just before Axel left, and all the good feelings he’d had with Mason’s parents evaporated as he realized Mason and Kaitlyn had probably been making out the entire time. His stomach soured, and a jealousy stronger than anything he’d known reared inside him. Axel excused himself shortly after Mason came in and fought against these feelings, not liking the jealousy or angst, at all.

  The next morning, he slept in later than he should have and hurried to shower and get ready for camp, devouring the breakfast some fabulous person had left outside his door. He grabbed his phone and noticed texts from his brother, a teammate, and an unknown number. He stopped and quickly swiped the last text open.

  Thanks for pretending you didn’t know who I was.

  Axel’s heart thudded quicker. It was her. She was finally texting him. Why? Had she broken up with Mason? He’d waited for this text or a phone call for the past three months, but she probably hadn’t initiated contact earlier because of Mason.

  No problem. I’m a fabulous actor. When I quit playing lacrosse, I’m headed to Hollywood.

  Ha! Obviously, my sarcasm didn’t come through with the text. I’m really ticked you pretended you didn’t know w
ho I was.

  He didn’t know her well at all, but he loved that she was teasing him.

  Ticked enough you won’t go to lunch with me today?

  Who said I was going to lunch with you today?

  The deal was when you texted the number on the ball, we would set up a lunch appointment.

  Oooh, that was smooth, Superstar. Okay, I’ll play your game. Yes, I’m ticked at you, but I think I could be bought off with a picnic from Fay’s at Chickadee Lake and chocolate from the Candy Counter at Kenworth’s after.

  Axel’s heart beat out of control. He had to ask her about Mason and get her reassurance that Mason was gone so long from his house last night because they were calling it quits, not kissing. He felt guilty that he wanted to break them up. She didn’t seem like the type of girl who would play both of them, but he didn’t know her well enough to be certain. He headed down the stairs and toward his car, typing quickly.

  Am I going to come between you and Mason?

  We’re dating other people now.

  Yes! Had she just decided to date other people because of Axel, or had this been a long time coming? Either way, he wasn’t going to question it. He switched back to the previous subject.

  Glad to know you’ll always forgive me for something as easy as lunch and chocolate.

  Don’t get ahead of yourself. It’s only lunch.

  Don’t shoot down my hopes. I’ve been dreaming about you for a while now.

  There was no response for at least thirty seconds. Axel slid into his sport utility and started it, waiting, even though he should be driving toward the field. He clutched the phone and wondered if he’d revealed too much, pushed her too fast. She’d stuck right by Mason’s side last night, like she was afraid Axel might throw her over his shoulder and haul her off. He was dumb to be so excited that they were having a conversation through text.

  Guess we’re both hopeless dreamers. I’ll see you at the lake at one.

  Axel’s heart was beating in his throat now. They were both hopeless dreamers? She’d had dreams of him too? But if they were hopeless that wasn’t good.