⋆˙⟡ locked up feelings: dodge mason x afab!reader.
summary: maybe the feelings you have for dodge aren't hate; you simply can't accept that you like him. so sarcasm, side eyes and attitude is your way of pushing him away. until you both get locked into a room during a panic game and the tension is tight.
cw: +18. mdni. praise, slight mean!dodge, fingering, soft hair pulling, slow sex, teasing, overstimulation, unprotected PIV, nipple play, semi-public, creampie, slight AU for the games.
Carp, Texas had a way of getting under your skin. The heat clung to you like smoke, dust wormed its way into your lungs, and the whole town felt like it was holding its breath, waiting for something to crack. For the seniors, that something was Panic.
And then Dodge Mason had shown up.
He wasn’t from here. Everyone knew it the second he stepped into Carp High with his too-serious eyes and that posture like he had something to prove. New blood was rare in Carp, and it wasn’t long before he got tangled in the same mess you were in: Panic.
From the very first time you locked eyes with him, you decided you didn’t like him. Not because he was dangerous, or reckless, or even annoying in the usual way people in Carp could be. No—because Dodge looked at you like he saw through you. Like he had already measured you up and found you wanting.
So, naturally, you gave it right back.
Sarcasm became your weapon of choice. Every time he opened his mouth, you had a comment sharp enough to cut him down. Every time he gave you that cool, steady look, you exaggerated a roll of your eyes or tossed a mocking little smile. And it went both ways: Dodge had perfected the art of side-eyeing you, the slow once-over that somehow managed to insult you without a single word.
By now, days into the games, your friends had noticed. You could hear the whispers sometimes, the chuckles behind you. “Just kiss already,” someone had muttered once when Dodge brushed past you too close at the diner he worked at, his voice low and sarcastic against your ear:
“Watch your step. Don’t want you tripping over your own attitude.”
It wasn’t that you couldn’t stand him—it was that you couldn’t stop noticing him. And that pissed you off even more.
Tonight, though, the air was heavy. Panic games always came with that electricity, the buzz of something dangerous thrumming beneath your skin. Everyone was gathered at the edge of an abandoned property outside town, headlights cutting through the dark. Diggins and Summer were here to announce the challenge.
“Pairs. Locked rooms. First to get out wins immunity for the next round.” Pairs. You didn’t like the sound of that. And when the names were drawn, when yours came out alongside his, the universe had officially decided to make your life hell.
Dodge Mason.
You groaned out loud, not even hiding it, and tossed your head back as if you could appeal to the stars above. “Are you kidding me?”
The smirk that tugged at Dodge’s lips was infuriating. “Guess you’re stuck with me, doll.”
“Don’t call me that,” you snapped.
“Would you rather I call you something else?” he asked smoothly, stepping just close enough that the space between you seemed to vibrate. “Because I can think of a few names.”
You rolled your eyes, brushing past him, your shoulder knocking into his deliberately hard. “Save it. Let’s just get this over with.”
But the way your pulse jumped betrayed you.
The two of you followed Diggins and Summer toward the hulking silhouette of the abandoned building, the sound of crickets cutting through the night. People watched—some laughing, some whispering. You tried to ignore the weight of their eyes. Tried to ignore the fact that you’d be stuck in a room with Dodge until one of you figured a way out.
And if you didn’t… well, Panic always had consequences.
The metal door creaked open, swallowing you both into the dark. The room they shoved you into was bigger than you expected, but that didn’t make it any less suffocating.
The hinges groaned when the heavy metal door slammed shut, the sound echoing like a gunshot. A second later, you heard the unmistakable click of a lock sliding into place. The single bare bulb overhead flickered, buzzing faintly like a dying fly, spilling just enough yellow light to show cracked plaster walls and dust crawling across the floor.
You gave it one look and crossed your arms. “Lovely. Real five-star accommodations.”
Dodge was already moving, sweeping his hand along the wall as if he could will a hidden panel or switch into existence. He didn’t spare you a glance. “Complain all you want, but standing around isn’t going to get us out of here.”
“Didn’t realize you were an expert in breaking out of places,” you shot back, leaning against the wall just to spite him. “What is it, a hobby of yours?” That earned you a look—one of his patented, coolly amused stares that made your skin prickle. “Do you ever shut up?”
“Not when I’m locked in a room with someone I can’t stand.”
He huffed out a laugh, the sound low, almost reluctant. “Figures.”
For the next few minutes, silence stretched between you, broken only by the scuff of shoes on the grimy floor and the soft hum of the bulb. Dodge tested the window (barred), the ceiling (too high), the door (solid steel). You watched, arms still crossed, fighting the urge to tap your foot.
The air grew heavier, hotter. The small room seemed to shrink, walls inching closer, and the longer you stayed in there, the more aware you became of him. The way his shirt clung to his shoulders, damp from sweat. The way a lock of his sandy hair fell into his eyes when he bent down to check the floorboards. The slow, deliberate way he moved, like he didn’t waste energy on anything unnecessary.
You hated that you noticed. Hated it even more when his voice cut through the silence.
“You could help, you know.”
“I am helping,” you said. “And I don't want to be distracted.”
He straightened, brushing dust off his hands, and turned to face you. His smirk was subtle, dangerous. “Distracted, huh? Didn’t realize I had that effect on you.”
Your pulse jumped, and you immediately snapped, “Don’t flatter yourself.”
But he stepped closer, just enough to make you feel it, that magnetic pull you’d been fighting since the second you met him. His voice was lower now, mocking but softer at the edges. “You’re not denying it.”
You scoffed and shoved past him, though your shoulder brushed his chest and left heat searing through your skin. “God, you’re insufferable.”
“And yet…” His words followed you like smoke. “…here we are. Stuck together.”
You didn’t answer. Couldn’t, not with the way your heart was beating like Panic itself was happening inside your ribcage.
The minutes dragged on. Dodge eventually sat down against the wall, stretching his legs out with that maddening calm he carried everywhere. You stayed standing, arms tight around yourself, pretending you didn’t care.
But the longer you lingered in that stale room, the clearer it became: it wasn’t just tension. It wasn’t just rivalry. It was something sharp-edged and dangerous, something that had been simmering beneath every sarcastic jab, every mocking glance, every accidental brush of contact.
And locked in this room, with no escape? It was only a matter of time before it boiled over. Time inside that room stretched, thick and sticky as the air. Every second that ticked by only made you more aware of him, the way his presence filled the space.
Dodge was still settling against the wall like he owned it, legs stretched out, his head tipped back against the cracked plaster. He looked maddeningly relaxed, like he could wait here all night if he had to. You hated that he didn’t seem rattled—not by the game, not by the lock, not even by being stuck in here with you.
“You always this calm?” you muttered, pacing a line across the room.
His eyes opened lazily, finding you in the dim light. “You always this restless?” You stopped, narrowing your eyes. “You’re impossible.”
“And you’re predictable.”
The words stung more than you wanted them to. “Predictable?”
He tilted his head, studying you. “Always ready with a sharp comment. Always pretending you don’t notice me.” A pause, and then—so casually it made your stomach flip—“Thing is, I think you notice me a little too much.”
Heat crawled up your neck. “You’re delusional.” He chuckled, low and smooth, and the sound made your insides twist. “Am I?”
Something in the way he looked at you; steady, unflinching, pinned you to the spot. You were suddenly too aware of how small the room was, how close he was even sitting down. The mocking edge in his voice wasn’t cruel, not really. It was daring.
And for some reason, you stepped closer.
Just a few inches, but it was enough for his smirk to deepen. He leaned forward slightly, elbows braced on his knees. “Careful, sweetheart. Keep standing over me like that, I might start thinking you like being close.” You scoffed, but your voice came out thinner than you meant. “I don’t.”
“You sure?” he asked softly.
Your throat went dry. Because the truth was—you weren’t sure. Not anymore. Not with the way your pulse jumped every time his eyes lingered too long. Not with the way your skin buzzed just being near him.
When he pushed off the wall and stood, you didn’t move back. He was taller, his shadow swallowing yours, and suddenly you couldn’t seem to catch your breath. “Say it,” he murmured, voice so low it was almost a growl. “Say you don’t want me close.” Your lips parted, but no words came out.
And then his hand brushed your wrist—tentative, testing—and that was all it took for something to snap.
You shoved him. Hard. Your palms hit his chest, but instead of stumbling back, he caught your wrists with a laugh, pulling you in even closer.
“You really think you can push me away now?” he mocked, breath hot against your cheek.
“You’re infuriating,” you hissed.
“And you’re—” His voice caught, the smirk faltering just enough for something softer to break through. “God, you drive me crazy.”
It was reckless, the way you surged up and kissed him. Messy, angry, desperate—your teeth scraping his bottom lip, his hand still wrapped around your wrist. For a second, you hated yourself for wanting it.
But then Dodge kissed you back, deep and sure, like he’d been waiting for this just as long as you had. His free hand slid into your hair, fingers curling tight enough to make you gasp, and that was it. Every sarcastic comment, every mocking glance, every second of tension exploded into heat.
You broke the kiss with a ragged breath, but he chased it, lips brushing yours, his voice a low rasp. “Still hate me?”
“Yes,” you whispered, but your body betrayed you, leaning into him, aching for more.
“Good.” His smirk returned, softer now, almost tender. “Guess I’ll just have to change your mind.” And judging by the way your knees felt weak under his touch, he already had.
The kiss broke again, but only because Dodge’s hand tangled deeper in your hair, tugging just enough to make your lips part. His mouth hovered over yours, eyes heavy-lidded and dark, like he was drinking in the sight of you.
“Always running your mouth,” he murmured, brushing his thumb across your bottom lip. “Finally found a better use for it.”
You wanted to snap back with something sharp, but all that came out was a shaky breath. He was too close, too steady, and every nerve in your body buzzed under his touch.
His hand slid from your hair to your jaw, guiding your head back just a little, forcing you to meet his gaze. “You’re shaking,” he whispered, almost teasing. “Didn’t think I could get to you this easy.”
“You’re not—” The protest broke when his other hand skimmed down your side, slow and deliberate, brushing over your hip before cupping between your thighs. Your words tangled into a gasp, your knees buckling slightly.
Dodge caught you easily, guiding you back against the wall. His smirk was infuriating, but his touch was devastating. He pressed his fingers against you through your jeans, steady pressure that made heat flood your core.
“Not what?” he asked, voice mocking-soft. “Not turned on? Not desperate?” His lips ghosted over your ear, his breath hot. “Feels like you are.”
You clenched your fists against his shirt, dragging him closer without meaning to. “Shut up.”
“Make me.”
And then his hand slipped past the button of your jeans, sliding into the heat of you. His fingers found you easily, parting you with a gentleness that made your head spin. When he slid one finger inside, curling just right, your breath hitched loud enough to echo in the hollow room.
“That’s it,” he murmured, kissing the corner of your jaw, slow and careful even as his words mocked. “Knew you’d feel good.”
Your head tipped back against the wall when he added another finger, stretching you, moving slow but steady. The heel of his hand pressed against your clit with every thrust, building a rhythm that had you trembling already.
Dodge kissed you again—softer this time, lingering, like he wanted to savor every sound you made. His other hand slid under your shirt, palm warm against your skin until his thumb brushed over your nipple. He pinched lightly, teasing, and you broke the kiss with a gasp.
“Sensitive, huh?” His voice was a mix of awe and mockery, like he couldn’t decide whether to worship you or laugh at how undone you already were. “God, you’re perfect.”
The combination was too much—his fingers thrusting slow and deep, his thumb circling your nipple, his mouth pressing hot, desperate kisses down your neck. You could feel yourself unraveling, every nerve alight, your body clenching around him with every curl of his fingers.
“Dodge—” His name slipped out, broken, pleading.
His smirk softened, his lips brushing your ear. “Say it again.”
“Dodge,” you gasped, thighs trembling, your hips grinding down into his hand without meaning to.
“That’s it, sweetheart,” he praised, his pace quickening just enough to push you higher. “Come on. I’ve got you.”
And you did. The orgasm hit hard, pulling your body tight, your voice catching as you came around his fingers. He held you steady, murmuring against your skin, kissing your temple as if he could anchor you through it.
But he didn’t stop.
Even as you shook in his arms, Dodge kept moving inside you, slower but relentless, dragging you through the high until your whimpers turned into gasps, into half-sobs. His thumb brushed your nipple again, teasing, coaxing every last shiver from you.
“Thought you hated me,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to your damp cheek. “Doesn’t sound like hate.”
Your nails dug into his shirt, desperate, overstimulated, and all you could do was moan against his mouth when he kissed you again, deep and consuming.
And Dodge—patient, steady Dodge—looked at you like you were the only game that had ever mattered.
You barely had time to catch your breath before Dodge pulled his hand from your jeans, slick fingers glinting in the dim light. He stared at them for a beat, almost reverent, before meeting your eyes again. The smirk on his face was softened now, something dangerous and tender all at once.
“Messy already,” he murmured. “And we’ve barely started.”
You wanted to snap at him, wanted to tell him to shut up, but your body betrayed you—arching toward him, hungry for more.
He kissed you again, slower this time, his tongue brushing yours in a rhythm that promised patience even while his hands made promises of something rougher. When he finally broke away, his forehead pressed to yours, he whispered, “Tell me you want this.”
You hated that he asked—hated that the part of him that mocked and teased could still pause for something so careful. But your answer was instant, honest. “I do.”
That was all he needed.
His hands were firm as he pushed your jeans down, your underwear following, pooling around your ankles. The cool air hit your skin for a split second before Dodge’s warmth was back, pressing against you. He tugged his own jeans low, enough to free himself, and your breath caught at the sight.
No condom. The realization sent a thrill of danger through you, sharp as the games themselves. But then his mouth was back on yours, murmuring against your lips.
“Unprotected… you trust me with this?”
Your hands curled into his shirt, dragging him closer. “Just—shut up and fuck me.”
His laugh was quiet, breathless, but full of heat. “As you wish.”
He lifted you easily, pinning you against the wall, your legs wrapping around his waist on instinct. The first push of him inside you was slow, careful, his forehead pressed to yours as if grounding himself as much as you.
“God—” His voice cracked on a groan. “You feel… unreal.”
The stretch burned sweet, pulling a cry from your throat. He stilled, giving you time, kissing your cheek and jaw, murmuring nonsense praise. “So tight for me. Taking me so good.”
You clenched around him, desperate, and finally gasped, “Move, Dodge.”
And he did.
Slow at first, rolling his hips into you with steady, deliberate thrusts. Every inch dragged, every retreat made you ache for more. He wasn’t rough—not yet—but the way his cock filled you so completely had your head spinning.
“Still hate me?” he rasped, pulling back enough to watch your expression.
“Yes,” you gasped, nails raking his shoulders through his shirt.
“Liar.” He kissed you, biting your lip, thrusting deeper. “You’d never let me fuck you like this if you meant it.”
His hand slid back into your hair, tugging gently, just enough to tilt your head back. The tension on your scalp sent sparks through you, making your whole body arch into him. He rewarded the sound you made with a groan, burying himself deeper, holding you there.
Each thrust was slow but powerful, the kind that dragged along every nerve, every sensitive edge. He didn’t rush. He wanted you to feel all of it—the weight of him, the stretch, the heat. And you did. God, you felt everything.
Your whimpers turned into cries when his pace built, still unhurried but relentless, grinding against your clit with every push. He kissed the tears brimming at the corners of your eyes, whispering, “That’s it, sweetheart. Let me hear you.”
The orgasm built sharp and fast, your body clenching around him, your nails digging so hard into his shoulders you were sure you’d leave marks. You shattered against him with a cry, your whole body tightening as wave after wave crashed through you.
But Dodge didn’t stop.
He slowed just enough to let you breathe, but kept moving, rolling into you, pushing you through the overstimulation. His lips traced your jaw, his hand pulling your hair softer now, his voice a constant anchor.
“Good girl. Look at you. Thought you could keep hating me, but you’re melting.”
You sobbed into his neck, every nerve alight, your second orgasm hitting faster, harsher, your legs trembling around him. He held you steady, his thrusts still deliberate, savoring you, dragging it out until you thought you’d fall apart.
Finally—finally—his rhythm faltered, his forehead pressing to yours as his breath grew ragged. His thrusts turned rougher, desperate, and he groaned your name like it was being torn out of him.
“I’m—fuck, I’m close—”
“Don’t pull out,” you gasped before you could think.
His whole body shuddered at your words, a broken sound leaving his throat. And then he came inside you, hard and deep, holding you flush against him as if he could bury himself completely. The heat of it spread through you, overwhelming, leaving you trembling.
For a long moment, neither of you moved. Just panting, clinging, the air thick with sweat and the faint hum of the bulb.
When Dodge finally set you down, his hands were careful, steady, brushing your hair back from your damp face. He kissed your forehead, soft in a way that made your chest ache.
“Still hate me?” he murmured, mocking, but his eyes were too tender to match the bite.
You managed a weak laugh, leaning into his touch. “Ask me again tomorrow.”
His smile—small, crooked, real—was the last thing you saw before your knees gave out and he caught you, holding you against his chest like you were the only thing in this room that mattered.
‘’Dodge!’’ I yell. The rain is pouring and I see him walking across the street without an umbrella. What is he doing?
He turns to look at me but doesn’t stop walking.
‘’Hey! What are you doing out here?’’ I’m standing in the doorway of my house watching him. When he doesn’t react I yell again.
‘’Dodge, get over here!’’ At this point I feel my voice crack before I say ‘’Come on, please!’’
He turns his head again and I can see him hesitate before jogging over to me.
Once he’s at the door I rush him inside.
‘’Are you crazy? Oh god, you’re soaked.’’ I scold him, closing the door behind us.
Once he’s inside I look at him and his face turns away from me. His hair and clothes are completely soaked.
‘’I’m fine.’’ He mutters.
I examine him closer but he hides his face from me.
‘’Dodge, what happened?’’ I ask slowly.
‘’Nothing, okay? Thank you for inviting me in but i really don’t need your help.’’
I stiffen at his words but shake it off because he’s obviously upset.
I step closer to him and manage to get a look at his face. I take my hand and cup his cheek, lifting his head up, revealing a bruise on his eye a cut on his brow. His nose is bleeding too and I let out a deep sigh.
‘’It’s nothing.’’ He says, turning his head away from my hand.
‘’Dodge, who did this to you?’’ I ask softly.
He finally meets my eyes and gives me an empty stare.
‘’Who do you think it was?’’ He almost snaps at me.
I think for a second before realizing. ‘’Oh, I knew it.’’ I say, shaking my head, feeling the frustration boil up inside of me.
‘’That’s it, I’m calling Ray. Things can’t go on like this.’’ I go to get my phone but he stops me by grabbing my arm.
‘’No, stop it.’’ He says sternly. ‘’This is exactly why I didn’t want to come in here or tell you anything. Listen, I know you think your boyfriend is a nice guy or whatever but he’s an asshole. And you choose to act like you don’t see it.’’ He says it like he’s been wanting to say it for a long time. ‘’You calling him is the last thing i need.’’
I frown as he lets go of my arm. ‘’Don’t talk about him that way.’’ I say slowly. ‘’I know what you think about me, okay? You think I’m just some privileged princess who peaked in high school or whatever cliche bullshit you’ve reduced me to and I know you think you’re better than all of us,’’ I say keeping my voice steady, ‘’but you don’t know anything about me. And this little angsty loner act isn’t a good look on you, so I’d think about checking your superiority complex before you judge anyone else because I was nice enough to invite you inside so you wouldn’t freeze to death out in the rain, so would it kill you to be nice back just for a minute?’ I wasn’t expecting to go off like that but I had to say something.
He looks at me for a minute before letting out a laugh.
I raise my brows at him in further annoyance.
‘’Wow.’’ He says looking at me, an almost amused look on his face.
‘’Angsty loner?’’ He repeats my description of him. ‘’Superiority complex? I mean you really got me all figured out, don’t you?’’
‘’Listen, I don’t dislike you, Dodge.’’ I tell him. ‘’I don’t know what happened tonight with you and Ray, but I’m sorry it did. It’s not okay. Let me help you.’’ I say in a calm tone. ‘’Now, why don’t you get out of those clothes, you must be freezing.’’
He scoffs but doesn’t object.
‘’You know, you are such a hypocrite.’’ He says, pulling his sweater off over his head.
‘’Excuse me?’’ I say.
‘’You snap at me for stereotyping you but then you just do the same thing to me.’’
‘’I was doing it to prove a point. I don’t know you and you don’t know me. We work together, we went to school together, that’s it. What do i know about you other than your last name?’’
‘’You know why I was in that fight tonight.’’
‘’What are you talking about?’’
‘’Oh, please.’’ he says, rolling his eyes. ‘’Ray’s convinced there’s something going on between us. You and me, as if that would ever happen.’’
I look at him stunned. ‘’What?‘’ I ask, confused.
‘’Yeah. He told me he doesn’t like ‘how much time we’re spending together’ and the way I was ‘looking at his girl’.’’
‘’We work together!’’ I yell in disbelief.
‘’Well I know that but your insecure boyfriend doesn’t seem to.’’
‘’Are you kidding me right now?’’ I narrow my eyes at him and shake my head.
He shrugs, tossing his sweater on the floor. I look away, trying not to stare at him. I reach into the little cupboard by the bathroom and hand him a towel.
‘’Listen, Dodge, I’m sorry.’’ I say, ‘’I’ll talk to him.’’
‘’I just told you not to do that.’’ He says, drying his hair.
‘’Well what am I supposed to do?’’ I ask, frustrated. ‘’He should know there’s nothing going on.’’
‘’Why? It’s more exciting this way.’’ He says as another amused smile grazes his expression.
I roll my eyes and stand up to go get him some fresh clothes.
I grab a sweatshirt and some pajama pants for him to change into.
When I come back into the room, Dodge is only in his boxers. I refrain from looking at him while passing him the clothes, before retreating to the kitchen and putting on some hot water.
‘’These Ray’s?’’ He teases while pulling the sweatshirt on.
‘’No,’’ I respond, ‘’they’re my brother’s.’’
Once he’s dressed he joins me in the kitchen, taking a seat at the counter.
I turn up the heat on the stove.
‘’Hm, I assumed you’d have people for that.’’ He teases.
‘’Just because my family is well off doesn’t mean I’m some sort of spoiled kid. And besides, I like doing it myself.’’
‘’Must be nice.’’ He mutters.
‘’So, where is this ‘well off family’ of yours anyway?’’ He asks, resting his elbows on the counter.
‘’My parents are away on business.’’ I respond shortly.
‘’What about your brother?’’ He asks and I stiffen.
‘’He’s not really around anymore.’’ I say slowly.
‘’Is it true that he won Panic a few years back?’’
I find myself thinking of a way to avoid the subject.
‘’Um, yeah. He did. He kind of disappeared right after that, though. No goodbye or anything. I don’t really like to talk about it.’’
I think about my brother. I think about the call I received from him two months ago that made me suddenly decide to play Panic. That left me with no choice but to win…
He notices my discomfort and changes the subject. ’’Your dad’s that real estate guy, right?’’
‘’Yeah.’’
‘’You know it’s funny, I think your boyfriend was beating the shit out of me right next to a bench with your dad’s face on it tonight.’’
‘’God, you’re an idiot.’’ I say with a small laugh. ‘’Let’s get you cleaned up.’’ I reach for the first aid kit from the drawer and walk over to his side of the counter.
‘’You don’t need to do that.’’ He says.
‘’Seriously, can’t you relax for once? Would it kill you to accept my help?’’ He’s not much less stubborn at the diner, keeping his distance and trying to get everything done by himself, as if we’re not supposed to be coworkers.
He stiffens up a bit but doesn’t protest anymore.
I wet a cloth with some alcohol. ‘’Since I’m sure this isn’t your first rodeo, I don’t have to warn you this’ll sting a little.’’ I say, dabbing it over the cut above his eye.
It surprises me when he flinches and grabs my wrist. I give him a look and he lets go slowly, allowing me to continue.
‘’Not so tough now, are you?’’ I tease.
‘’Hey, I’m not the type of guy who goes out looking for trouble every night.’’ He says. ‘’So, not your type of guy.’’
I roll my eyes once again as a smile tugs at his lips.
‘’Well you’re sure not opposed to it, though, are you? I saw what happened at the last challenge. Thank god the cops came because you weren’t about to go easy on Ray.’’ I say, recalling the events of last weekend. There’s already been two challenges of Panic and the last one was cut short so no one has been eliminated yet. I eye Dodge closely. Right now, he’s one of the people who are in the lead.
‘’He fucking asked for it. I almost died up there.’’ He says, referring to the incident of Ray’s sabotage when it was Dodge’s turn to do the challenge.
‘’What do you think is gonna happen?’’ I ask in a more serious tone, referring to Panic.
‘’Don’t know.’’ he responds. ‘’You worried?’’
‘’Well…’’ I hesitate. ‘’I mean, I didn’t get to do the challenge before the cops came, which means I didn’t get any points. And I don’t wanna get eliminated or whatever, I just really…need to win.’’ I say slowly, cleaning his cut carefully.
I can see him suppressing an eye roll.
‘’You need to win, huh? What, did daddy cut you off?’’ He mocks.
I shake my head. ‘’I don’t want to talk about it.’’
‘’Some of us actually need the money.’’ He mutters.
‘’Hey, you know what? I need that money just as much as you do. Why do you think I’m working a summer job? And for someone who just moved here and is barely eligible to play the game, you’ve got a lot of nerve passing judgement.’’ I say, annoyed, throwing the cloth away.
‘’The rules say all graduating seniors get to play.’’ He states.
‘’Yeah but not all deserve to.’’ I snap.
‘’Oh and you think, what? Huh? That Ray Hall deserves to win that money? I bet he promised to split it with you, be your partner. Well, I hate to tell you this but he doesn’t care about you. Him and Tyler have got it all worked out and they’re playing dirty. Might wanna change your strategy.’’
‘’How would you know that?’’ I ask, not knowing how to react.
‘’Because tonight wasn’t just because of you, it was about panic.’’ He says.
I raise my eyebrows at him.
‘’With Tyler in the lead, he’s got a better chance at winning than most of us do right now. They’re splitting the money. Ray’s taking his best bet. They tried to get me to join their alliance because they know I’m the one to beat. When I refused they thought their only other option was to mess me up so bad I couldn’t play.’’ He explains.
I’m not sure how to respond. Would Ray really do that to me? It makes sense and why would Dodge be lying? I don’t know what to believe, but either way, should I really be taking that chance?
I give Dodge a look as an idea comes to my mind.
‘’Dodge, you’re going to be my partner.’’ I say.
He chuckles. ‘’In your dreams.’’
‘’Face it.’’ I say. ‘’with Tyler and Ray together, your chances of winning are slim. But not if you have me telling you their strategies. He’s stringing me along so I’ll know what moves he’s going to make.’’
Sure, Ray is my boyfriend. But I’m not about to sit around and let him go behind my back to win. I’ve got to play the game.
He gives me an uncertain look.
I stick out my hand. ‘’And we’ll split the money 60-40%.’’
He smiles at the corner or his mouth, his dimples showing.
‘’Deal.’’ he says, taking my hand.
‘’So what do you need the money for?’’ He asks after a pause. I walk back over to the stove and take the kettle off.
‘’What do you need the money for?’’ I return the question.
He doesn’t say anything.
‘’I mean, we work together, Dodge, and yet, I think this might be the longest conversation we’ve ever had.’’ I say, pouring hot water into two ceramic mugs. ‘’Tell me something about yourself.’’
‘’I want to get out of here.’’ He says.
‘’Don’t we all?’’ I let the teabags soak in the water and turn around to look at him.
‘’You’re telling me you wanna leave all this behind? Your perfect life here in Carp? With your perfect boyfriend and your perfect friends?’’
I fight the urge to roll my eyes at his shallow description of my life.
‘’High school is over.’’ I say with a shrug. ‘’Sure, I’m happy, but I can’t stay here forever.’’
‘’What about Ray?’’
‘’Ray’s far from perfect.’’ I say with a small smile.
‘’Oh, really?’’ He raises his eyebrows in amusement.
‘’Yes, really. But I care about him. And he cares about me.’’
‘’You sound so sure.’’ He mutters.
‘’And what makes you think he doesn’t?’’
‘’I just don’t think he deserves a girl like you.’’
He catches me by surprise. ‘’Oh and what kind of a girl am I, exactly?’’
‘’I don’t know, you’re just a better person than him.’’
‘’I’m flattered.’’ I say, sarcastically, but there’s a hint of something in his voice I can’t quite figure out.
‘’I just don’t think a guy like that knows how to treat a girl like you.’’
‘’You know nothing about my relationship. Ray treats me well.’’
‘’What about Panic?’’
‘’It’s just a stupid game. Everyone’s trying to win and if I expected anyone to play dirty, it was Ray.’’
‘’Do you love him?’’ He asks, all of a sudden.
‘’I...’’ I pause, not knowing how to respond. ‘’That is none of your business.’’
‘’Yeah, but do you?’’ His eyes fixate on me.
‘’Why do you care?’’ I ask.
‘’I don’t know. The kitchen light is making you look awfully beautiful. I was just wondering.’’ He says, seemingly out of it.
‘’Are you joking?’’
‘’It’s probably just the concussion talking. You don’t usually look like that, do you? I mean not that I’ve ever seen you outside of your uniform. This is the first time. You got an icepack?’’ His rambling catches me off guard.
I nod slowly and grab some ice from the freezer, handing it to him.
‘’How come you never talk to anyone?’’ I ask.
‘’Got nothing to say.’’ He puts the icepack over his eye.
I place his mug in front of him, the teabag sinking inside it.
‘’Thanks,’’ He says, going to pick it up.
‘’Careful,’’ I warn, ‘’it’s hot.’’
‘’I can handle it.’’ He says, proceeding to burn his tongue on the warm beverage.
‘’You sure are stubborn.’’ I say, setting my own mug on the counter.
‘’I should go. After this. After this, I should go.’’ He says, hastily.
‘’Okay.’’ I say. ‘’It’s still raining.’’
‘’Shit.’’
‘’You can stay if you need to.’’ I offer.
He looks at me and there’s a distracted expression on his face. ’’No.’’
‘’You sure?’’
‘’Yeah.’’
‘’Finish your tea.’’ I say, nodding towards the mug.
‘’I prefer coffee.’’ He blurts.
‘’What?’’
‘’You said you wanted me to tell you something about myself. Well, there it is. I like coffee.’’
‘’Do you want me to make you some coffee?’’ I ask, noticing he’s more relaxed now.
‘’No, don’t.’’ He quickly declines.
‘’It’s really not a problem, I mean if I had known I would’ve-‘’
‘’No, I don’t want you to make coffee.’’ He cuts me off.
‘’Why?’’ I raise my eyebrows at him.
‘’Because I’ve never met anyone who knows how to make good coffee. I can’t drink it when other people make it. Like, not even at cafes and stuff. It’s terrible.’’
‘’You are so weird.’’ I say. ‘’Here, why don’t you make it, then?’’
‘’We’re drinking tea.’’ He says.
‘’Okay, so we’ll have coffee too. The night is young.’’
‘’You’re the only person I know who drinks tea.’’ He tells me and I scoff.
‘’Seriously?’’
‘’Yeah. Does Ray drink tea?’’
‘’Will you leave Ray alone? No, he doesn’t drink tea.’’ I shake my head.
‘’So tell me something about you, now.’’ He leans on the counter, staring at me.
‘’Like what?’’
‘’I don’t know, how do you take your coffee?’’
‘’With cream and sugar.’’ I answer.
‘’No.’’ He says.
I give him a confused look. ’’What do you mean ‘no’?’’
‘’Listen to me, if you don’t drink your coffee black, you don’t drink coffee. I’m making you a black coffee.’’ He says, getting up from his chair.
‘’I don’t want a black coffee. I like it just fine with my three spoons of sugar.’’
‘’Three? You’re disgusting.’’ He shakes his head.
‘’You’re such a snob.’’ I say with a laugh.
He looks almost offended but laughs. ’’Oh, I’m a snob?’’
‘’Yeah, getting so worked up about something as simple as coffee. There’s like a million ways to drink it, what’s the big deal?’’
‘’Yeah and half of those ways should be illegal. Just try it. Trust me.’’ He says, putting the water on.
‘’So, is coffee like your thing?’’ I ask, taking a seat at the counter.
‘’Why do you think we have so many customers at the diner? Best coffee in town.’’ He says smugly.
‘’Huh, impressive. You know, even Ray likes your coffee.’’ I say.
‘’Yeah, just wait until I spike it with something one day.’’ He says with a grin.
‘’Not funny.’’
‘’A little funny.’’
‘’Why do you hate Ray so much?’’ I ask, leaning against the counter, watching him make the coffee.
‘’Is that really what you’re asking me? He’s rude, he’s self-centered, narcissistic, egotistical-‘’
‘’I’m pretty sure those are synonyms.’’ I interrupt.
‘’Yeah, well, they’re all true.’’ He says. ’’Plus, he’s so insecure he thinks I’m trying to take you from him or something.’’
‘’Well, is he really so wrong?’’ I raise my eyebrows.
‘’What?’’ He turns to look at me.
‘’I’m just saying, if my girlfriend was working with a tall, mysterious new guy, I’d be worried too.’’ I tease.
‘’Tall and mysterious? What happened to angsty loner?’’ He asks with a laugh.
‘’That still stands.’’ I assure him.
He walks over to the counter, leaning against it and looking at me, without saying anything. A small smirk on his face.
My eyes wander over his face and I notice the cut on his lip.
‘’Oh, you’re bleeding.’’ I say, breaking the silence.
I pull another cloth from the drawer under the counter and lean over to press it against his lips.
Our eyes meet and I pause for a minute, captured under his gaze.
‘’Maybe you’re right.’’ He says slowly, as I pull the cloth away.
‘’Maybe Ray should be worried.’’
I look at him for a minute before brushing it off as the concussion talking.
*
i was recently feeling very uninspired regarding my riff fic, so i decided to write a little bit of dodge, which i hope you'll like! i'll try to have part 6 of the riff fic up soon, but in the meantime let me know if you would be interested in a part 2 of this? i have some ideas. also don't forget i'm open for requests!
anything with a protective dodge mason please i beg
steal my girl - one shot
fluff
(panic — romantic! dodge mason x fem! reader)
while a select few participate in the wicked game of panic, the annual player's ball that comes with it is the highlight of the summer. however, for some, the party brings trouble when an alum of the game comes back to steal dodge mason's girl
cw / underage drinking, non-consensual touching, descriptions of an altercation/argument
a/n — i don't want to bore you with my love for dodge mason, so have this fic instead ! but i'm also letting you know now in case there’s any confusion that any panic content i write/create will take inspiration from the book and show. i really hope you enjoy, seeing as i’m v nervous, but i hope it reaches y'all mike faist stans (@mysticstarrysiren, @inkandpen22, @queen-ofbrooklyn, @ilovey0us0, etc.) in one way or another so we can all yell about panic. love you ! ps, bianca my beloved, thank you for your guidance throughout this fic, it wouldn't be here without you.
as alcohol sprinkled through the air and shitty music traveled through the dancing bodies in the backyard, the player’s ball seemed to be in full swing by the time you had arrived at la casa diggins with dodge and your friends. after hurriedly greeting the host, it took no time at all to blend in, bopping your heads to the beat and yelling to the very few lyrics you did know. letting nat and heather take the lead in favor of staying close to dodge, he gave your hand a squeeze, effectively keeping you grounded amidst the blur caused by the busy crowd. although that was short lived when the girls came to an abrupt stop, which ended up with you bumping into heather. muttering an apology, you moved beside her, tugging at dodge to follow along. you didn’t receive a response from heather, who seemed entranced by something, or rather, someone in their sight.
“oh, holy shit. luke hall is here.” the sheriff’s daughter pointed out. snapping your head up to see luke in his element, surrounded by an aura of smoke and girls dancing, tossing oblivious, flirtatious smiles their way. the mere sight made your stomach swirl uncomfortably.
“i thought he moved away. or like wasn’t he in jail or something?” heather questioned.
“yeah, for carjacking. i can’t believe he’s back.” you gulped. your words went unnoticed by the girls, who began to immerse themselves in a neighboring conversation concerning the eldest of the hall brothers, which you were quite grateful for. as much as you wanted to rip your eyes away from luke, you couldn’t bring yourself to do so. but almost like he could feel someone staring at him, luke threw a glance back. instinctively, you darted your eyes elsewhere, only to be met with dodge’s soft, concerned stare.
“hey, sweetheart. you okay? you’re holding my hand a little tight there.” you looked down to see dodge’s hand stuck in your deathly grip, nearing a ghostly white. had you not loosened up, you were afraid he’d end up turning blue. you attempted to let go of dodge entirely with apologies sputtering from your lips, but he insisted that he was okay. dodge had even joked that you needed his hand more than he did before asking if you were okay once more.
“uh yeah! i’m fine. are you?” you replied.
“of course. why wouldn’t i be?” dodge’s eyes flickered back to where you had last seen luke. you paid no mind, assuming he wanted to get in on the fun after standing still for so long.
“no reason.” you shrugged. he pressed a kiss to the back of your hand, then leaned in to capture you in a kiss. however, the moment was ruined when you were both pushed apart by nat with an almost cynical laugh.
“okay lovebirds, enough chatting. let’s have some fun. it’s time to get drunk!” she shook dodge with a cheer. meanwhile, heather looped her arm through yours, nudging you with her hip.
“and you…” the blonde girl booped your nose, giggling feverishly at your widened eyes and parted lips. you were surprised heather was stone cold sober, but nevertheless, she continued, “are coming with me. do you want shots? because i want shots. let’s go get shots!” and in the blink of an eye, you two were whisked away into the summer wind. before dodge could even get a foot in, nat managed to keep him in place by grabbing a fistful of his button up.
“ah ah ah! you’re staying here. i promise she’ll be fine with heather. just let y/n have fun! isn’t that why we’re here?” nat pointed at dodge as if she were scolding a little kid. dodge looked at nat, into the crowd, and back at nat, sighing in defeat. she hummed triumphantly, pulling him closer to the table where their fellow panic competitors currently played a game of cards.
“you know dodge, you’re making it real easy for luke to sweep y/n off her feet tonight.” summer calvo, who watched the entire exchange, teased.
“as if. you know it’s not like that between them!-” nat attempted to dismiss summer’s statement, but dodge was quick to react.
“what’s that supposed to mean?” he challenged.
“just that luke’s been into your girl since sophomore year.” shawna kenny scoffed as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. but, to most teenagers in carp, it was.
“hey, it’s not like y/n would ever go for him anyway!” nat mentioned, remembering the numerous rejections she’d witnessed.
“yeah, but i heard that just before luke got arrested, he asked y/n to run away with him.” summer gossipped with glee.
“i heard about that too! why didn’t she? he had the money and everything.” drew santiago piped up as he took a card from the deck next to dodge.
“easy. she met you.” summer smirked, nodding towards your boyfriend.
“see?! what’d i tell ya? there’s nothing there.” nat swatted his shoulder. out of the corner of his eye, dodge spotted luke shotgunning a can of beer. he nodded stiffly, taking a large swig of the nearest drink he could get his hands on. clearing his throat, he acknowledged nat’s numerous affirmations.
“thanks, but it’s not y/n i’m worried about.”
in any scenario, it was never a good idea to deny natalie williams. which was how she and dodge ended up in the hot tub, claiming he needed to destress from the mere mention of luke hall. shortly after, you joined them, party clothes and all, in the warm water with a sweet smile, carrying a handful of drinks that you figured nat would need to get through the rest of the night. as soon as dodge placed his arm around your shoulders, it was so easy to forget everything else that surrounded you three. you hadn’t even realized how much time had passed by until nat slammed down the last of her smirnoff smash. taking in the party scene that was still surprisingly active, you realized that the presence of your blonde beauty of a friend was nowhere to be found since you’d been with dodge and nat. with the duo caught up in a conversation, you made little ripples with the tips of your fingers, effectively cutting them off when they turned to you attentively.
“i think we should check on heather.” you mentioned.
“yeah, it’s been a while since we’ve seen her actually.” nat agreed. you nodded, pushing yourself up, grimacing as the summer air stuck to your soaked skin when dodge placed a hand on your shoulder. gently pushing you back down, he was out of the tub to take your place.
“i can go. i need to sober up anyway.” dodge offered.
“please, you had one sip of drew’s beer.” nat replied.
“better safe than sorry.” he shrugged. you turned around to face him (not so subtly checking him out in the process), placing your chin on the palm of your hand.
“want me to go with you?” you asked.
“nah, stay here. have fun or nat will probably execute us both.” the girl in question feigned offense, letting him take up the opportunity to make his exit, but not before plopping a quick kiss to the top of your head. watching him walk away until he became just another pretty face in the sea of people, all your focus was gravitated towards nat, who began to laugh obnoxiously at her own joke.
“he’s right. i have a guillotine waiting in the back of his car just waiting to be used.” it became blatantly obvious that nat’s tolerance to alcohol was being tested, but the energy she exuded was contagious. you couldn’t help but get in on it, interrupting her humor fest with a large wave to her face. she defended herself by covering her face with her arms, but it was no use. gaping, it was your turn to laugh as she let out a shorter laugh, wiping the ruined mascara trickling down her cheeks as though they were tears. but your laugh turned into a high pitched shriek as nat lunged towards you, vowing to get you for that. you were just about to dunk nat under to reveal the rest of her voluminous curls when one of the knots keeping your top up loosened and slipped off your shoulders. sliding off nat’s back to fix the minor mishap, upon tying the thread off, it was proven extremely difficult when you had limited mobility, resulting in it falling apart repeatedly.
“okay, just let me. at this point, it’s just painful watching you do it on your own.” nat stepped in, taking the strands of fabric into her nimble fingers. you thanked her, adjusting your top in order to appear decent. however, after nat finished up her handy work, your face felt hot despite the shudder that ran through your spine. seeing the sudden shift in attitude, she shot you a puzzled look, stepping in front of you completely with her hands on her hips to ask, “what’s wrong?” you avoided her gaze trying to cut deeper into you for an answer, which you finally gave with a falter in your voice.
“is it just me or does it feel like someone’s watching us?” nat scrunched her nose at the thought.
“maybe…it’s a judge?” she assumed. looking around in hopes of catching the culprit possibly captivated by a few of its players, she only found someone worse. nat went stiff as by the time they briefly made eye contact, it was too late to leave. letting a few snarky curses slip from under her breath, she groaned. “nevermind. shit, luke is coming over.” there had been no time to react to her words, as the aforementioned man stood before you with a cigarette rolling between his fingers and that mischievous smirk of his that could never seem to stay in your past.
“hey, y/n. long time no see.” he greeted.
“hi luke.” you deadpanned.
“how’ve ya been, sweetheart?” when luke received nothing but a frown from the nickname solely reserved by one mystery of a man you were lucky to call yours, he dragged on his words, “you know, i’m surprised you’re not chatting me up like you used to. but i guess that’s cause you’ve been talking to other guys now. and i gotta say, i’m wounded!”
“that’s cause dodge is my boyfriend. and he’s the only guy.” you scowled, crossing your arms to your chest. avoiding his eyes, you tried to search for dodge, heather, hell even diggins for a way out. but with no such luck, luke laughed heartily, which only increased your irritation.
“come on, don’t be like that! what’s so special about him anyway? i bet i could show you a better time-” his free hand that wasn’t holding his cigarette was used to push your hair out of your face before grazing your jawline. truth be told, you didn’t realize what was happening, only taking notice of cheap, strong spirits and nicotine that acted as cologne tickling your nose, along with calloused fingers going from your jawline and treading lower. it wasn’t until luke’s flirtations were cut off by nat, who slapped him so hard that the imprint of her small hand was tattooed red onto his alabaster skin.
“get off of her asshole! she was never interested. deal with it.” jumping at the volume her voice carried, you watched as the situation caught the attention of certain partygoers. as they began to whisper and point, you watched nat glare at luke as though it would land him six feet under. you knew word traveled fast in a small town, which meant putting a stop to it before things could get blown out of proportion. reaching for nat, you coaxed her into exiting the hot tub. you were ready to walk away when luke moved closer to the ladder of the small body of water, ready to pin you and nat into a corner. while nat acted as a barrier between you and the eldest hall brother, you debated going back into the hot tub and running off in the opposite direction. luckily, the logicless plan didn’t need to be executed when the love of your life intervened.
“leave them alone, luke.” your savior shoved luke’s shoulder. out of habit, you leaned into dodge’s familiar hold as he came up to you.
“and what if i don’t? the pretty lady and i were just about to have some fun.” luke asked.
“trust me when i say that having fun doesn’t mean harassing people.” dodge retorted, ready to get up in luke’s face when you stopped him.
“dodge,” you laid a hand on his chest, whispering, “let’s just find heather and go home. please.” upon noticing you trembling beneath him, his stoney exterior immediately crumbled. he nodded, standing down when luke began to push his buttons.
“you’re the mysterious dodge mason? you definitely don’t live up to the hype.” luke looked him up and down before speaking to you again, “come on, sweetheart. you and i know he’s not much. i could be better-” everything happened so fast that the sudden slam startled you and nat. next thing you knew, dodge had him by the collar of his shirt.
“listen to me very carefully, luke. you leave us alone, and i mean it. you even think about going near y/n like that again and this’ll be the last time you’re seen standing. you got that?” he threatened. you couldn’t hear what he said, but it was enough for you to step in. slipping away from nat, she wasn’t in the mindset to stop you from approaching them. a hand made its way onto dodge’s back, the other going to his clenching wrists.
“dodge, he’s not worth the trouble, and we shouldn’t give him the satisfaction, especially when he’s shit-faced.” you nodded towards luke. you were stuck in a wordless war with your stern stare while he furrowed his eyebrows in response. reluctantly, he let go. nat ran to your side, and the three began to walk away. but not before dodge pulled back, managing to get one punch in and ultimately knocking luke into the hot tub. you silently cringed at the impact while your raven haired friend cheered for him loudly. playing along with the act, he courteously bowed, a quirk appearing at the corner of his lips. wrapping his arms around you and nat, he began to walk you both towards the car when another round of whispers ripped through the air. except this time, it wasn’t your doing.
when people began pushing past you, it led you three to turn around, only for nat to gasp loudly at the sight of red paint dripping down diggins’ walls. you knew it could only mean one thing, but your feet were frozen to the ground, still processing the events that occurred moments before. with everyone caught up with the clue, you felt foolish for looking at the floor, all while dodge cautiously eyed you the entire time. from the corner of her eye, nat could see that you two needed time together, and as your best friend, she made sure to provide that for you. removing herself from dodge, she pointed to the people.
“i’m gonna see if heather’s in the crowd, check the clue out while i’m at it.” she left as quickly as she spoke. dodge didn’t miss a beat once he noticed the nod nat gave him. mentally reminding himself to thank her whenever possible, dodge took notice of you fidgeting under his arm and trying to hide yourself. the motion alone was enough for him to pull away, but not without watching you with a careful eye.
“how’re you feeling?” dodge thought he knew the answer, but thinking back to how unresponsive or monotonous you were during the altercation quickly made him realize he had absolutely no idea. with that, another wave of concern crashed over him, his fingers tapping against himself.
“i’m fine. we should be with nat, checking out the clue.” you shrugged, avoiding him by staring distantly. you could feel him draping his button up around your shoulders, and you were going to walk away from him in order to continue avoiding the repercussions of the situation, to deal with it on your own when dodge caught you by the wrist in a silent plea to stay. when you didn’t take a step further into the crowd, he walked up to you, his hands coming up to cup your cheeks.
“i don’t care about the clue right now. i care about you.” he assured you. that was all it took for you to tear up. pressing his forehead to yours, as soon as a sob ripped from your throat, he pulled you into him, ready to comfort you. his mere presence alone put you at ease because his warmth was like no other. dodge carried the feeling of being loved kindly, passionately, and wholly by and for someone who didn’t get enough love. it was different, but a good difference compared to the years you’d been tormented by luke. it felt like forever in his embrace, but you wouldn’t trade it for anything else.
“y/n!” you pulled your head up from dodge to hear heather’s voice carrying through the crowd. nat wasn’t too far behind, but you yelped loudly as her head fell limp onto your shoulder. heather was clearly intoxicated as she slurred out her question, “are you okay?” the sight was enough to elicit a chuckle.
“mhm. now, let’s get you home. i’m sure lily’s waiting for you.” you pat her head, actually putting on dodge’s button up before wrapping an arm around heather’s waist. taking your boyfriend’s hand, nat took heather’s and the four of you walked away from the chaos of the party to the silent song of the starry night. you smiled, ready to get out of there. and with a squeeze of your hand, courtesy of dodge to keep you grounded, it was enough to know that you would forever be his, and he’d be yours through anything.
Summary: If anyone knew how dumb Panic was, it would be her. The game at first felt freeing. However, when you keep playing, it doesn't appear to be worth it at all, but by that point, it's too late. There was no joy left in the game. It was more than that now.
Warnings: Minor Explicit Language, Violence, Shooting
Word Count: 8.5k
Disclaimer
I do not own the series of Panic or the characters. This is a slight AU of Season 1.
Masterlist || I. PANIC || XI. CAUTION || XIII. RETURNS
XII. TENSE
A week had passed since the last Panic challenge and Heather was frantic. As she, Josie, and Natalie walk across the pavement of the streets of Carp, the brunette cannot help but show her worry about the lack of updates. From the last time they've spoken, Heather told Josie that she had to basically stalk Diggins to ask if she could use her immunity and be back on the game. His lack of response after that encounter made her all worry. She had no regrets about ditching the challenge for her sister but she needed to be persistent for the money.
"Still nothing about Panic?" Heather asks.
"I'm telling you it's been awfully quiet," Josie said. The surface surrounding Panic was hushed following the challenge on the bridge. There was no mention of the game around the town, no hints about the next challenge, and no other players showing any signs of interest in the game. The previous round seemed to resonate with everyone who responded to the questions, even Josie. There was anxiety about the information they provided since nobody knew what they would do with it. She remembered seeing Drew a day after the game. He still looked petrified as if he saw a ghost.
"They're probably preparing for the individuals." She assumed.
"What did Diggins say to you again?" Natalie chimes in.
"He said Panic's a dumb game. There's tension between judges right now, and he'll think about it." Heather frowns, remembering his words.
If anyone knew how dumb Panic was, it would be Heather. The game at first felt freeing. However, when you keep playing, it doesn't appear to be worth it at all, but by that point, it's too late. The concept of fighting for money seemed evil in its entirety. Particularly now when she sensed that this summer of playing Panic wasn't like the summers before. But like everyone else in Carp, she was in urgent need of money. If her mother never stole her money saved up for college, she would've never joined.
"Maybe he's right, Heather. Maybe you should sit this one out."
The brunette stopped and turned toward her friend. "You were the one who suggested using my immunity, Nat. I've come this far. I'm not stopping now."
"But you did when you decided not to show up."
"Is she supposed to leave Lily all alone with her mom and her druggie boyfriend?" Josie made an effort not to sneer at Natalie's words. They both understood how Lily was Heather's entire world.
"All I'm saying is that it's probably for the best that she shouldn't go back to Panic, Josie." She glowered. "Why are you guys so desperate about Panic?"
"You were as desperate as us in the beginning, remember?" Heather blatantly reminds her.
"It's just a game guys."
"Easy for you to say when you have a trust fund sitting quietly in the bank. Some of us don't have the luxury to sit around and do nothing all day, Nat."
"Are you saying that I do nothing?"
Natalie shifts her gaze to Josie. "You don't want my opinion on that." Josie reacts. Natalie scoffs at her.
"We are desperate, Natalie. I need the money. Heather and I need the money."
"Winning the prize money is not just about being able to leave Carp but we could actually be set. I'm not just talking about being able to pay bills but think about other things. I could do things for myself this time. Maybe start up something using the money. And as stupid as it seems, I actually think I could go to college with the money we'll win," Josie said.
Josie muses somberly about her plans and what she'll do with the money should she win in Panic. She had already fantasized about driving in her car, leaving Car, not knowing where she'll end up next. She could travel wherever she wanted, preferably far like California, and, probably, settle in the city. Josie would go to the college she wants and finally pursue her dreams of becoming a writer. She'll still call and maybe visit Nick when she could. But she'd be finally contented.
"You've been avoiding the talk about college for months and now you're just deciding to go." Natalie continues. "You guys have been using money as an excuse. You can go to college."
"It's not an excuse. It's not just an easy choice for us to make, Nat." Heather was trying hard not to snap at her friend's naivety of her privilege. "Josie and I are poor, remember?" She wasn't motivated to keep going by the money, but rather by the person she knew she would spend the money to.
"Fine." Natalie sharply says, deciding to give up her asking. "Don't listen to me. But don't say I didn't warn you guys about the game."
The two girls stared at her retreating figure as their friend ditches them on the side of the street. Josie couldn't help but wonder about Natalie's opposition to Heather reentering. She felt bad for making assumptions about Nat's jealousy. With her individuals, Heather may still catch up in the game. And by then, she'd be just mere points behind them, with a chance to compete in the finale.
Heather and Josie decided to rest and sauntered towards Dot's diner.
"She'll come around eventually. You know she does." Josie comforts the frown in Heather's expression. "Don't worry."
As they sat in their respective seats near the store's counter, Josie's gaze can't help but look for that recognizable tall boy in his signature black shirt and jeans working around the place and eventually finding his way in front of her.
"Should I take a wild guess on who you're looking for?" Heather teasingly rested her chin on her palm as she watched her best friend's eyes search the scape of the diner.
"That's it." She blasts, catching the dark-haired girl's attention. "What's going on between you and Dodge?"
"Dodge and I kissed." Josie's expression turned red.
"What?!" Heather's eyes widened. Josie giggles as the brunette vigorously shakes her joyfully and lightly hits her arm in disbelief. Heather was astonished by the shift in their relationship since she has last seen them jokingly throwing quips at one another and having an unsaid tension.
"Yep. It was over a week ago. After Panic."
"Was that part of the challenge?"
"W-What? No." She laughingly shook her head. "Actually, earlier on he told me that he liked me. He gave me this long talk about what would've happened if we never met and then just said it out of the blue. I thought he was kidding but he said it again and I realized he was being serious. Back then, I didn't know what to say so afterward, I kind of..."
"Chickened out?"
"During the challenge, Diggins asked me about Dodge. He asked if I have feelings for him, and I do. So after, I just went up to Dodge and-"
"Kissed him?" She nods. The Slater girl couldn't believe it either. "Just like that? Wow."
No matter how many times she'd replay that night in her head, she'd look down bashfully in disbelief. It's been smooth sailing for her and Dodge since. Josie never would've imagined how old-fashion Dodge would be. He'd offer to pick her up and drop her off at home at the end of the day, open the car door for her, and even gives her flowers, even if it's just a single piece, after learning what her favorite was. She had assumed Dodge wouldn't be the sort to make silly displays of affection in front of others, but Josie would always find him hanging on to her even if they just parted for a split second.
Dodge was hooked. And so was she.
Her enthusiasm for them was understated, sitting closer to Josie to hear more about the pair. The girl couldn't help but notice the radiance that sparked on Josie's face when she spoke of the Mason boy.
"So what, are you guys dating now or what?"
"Actually, I don't know. We never really talked about it." Josie continued. "I don't know if that indicates you're in a relationship. But we did go out and we've kissed a few times."
"Now you're just bragging."
The girl apologizes in humor. But she wasn't really sorry, she wanted to brag about him.
"How about you and Bishop?" Josie asks, turning the attention to Heather. "What's going on with the two of you?"
"It's great."
"You don't sound great." That strained smile was one that Josie recognized. The same smile Heather would give to her when she would ask if everything was fine. She knew something was wrong. "What is it? Are you guys fighting?"
"No, seriously, we're great, Josie. I mean, he's great." She breathed out. "It's just that...i-it's a little overwhelming finally being with him after years of wanting it."
"Then what's wrong?"
"It's just that his whole rich guy scene. I don't feel like I fit in in all of that. Being around those fancy places he goes to, the fancy people he meets, and his fancy parents. I mean, you should've seen his dad's car collection, I swear the value of those could feed a town." Heather confided. She felt like a piece trying to fit into the wrong puzzle.
"I don't like that look of pity he gives me whenever I talk about my mom, or Lily, or home." Heather lamented. "It makes me feel like a bigger charity case than I already am."
The Slater girl placed her arm around the brunette's shoulder, rubbing it softly. "Heather, it's Bishop. He just cares about you that's all."
"So did he ask you about Midsummer?" Josie asked about the upcoming festivity. "Yep. He asked me yesterday. And also speaking of going..." Heather went on. "Bishop is planning to take me to the drive-in tonight and you're coming with me."
She instantly shakes her head in refusal. "I don't want to be a third wheel."
"You won't. You're taking Dodge with you." She bites the inside of her cheek as Heather smirked at her notion.
"I don't like social functions."
"He might."
"You have met him, right?" She raised her brow.
"I'm just saying he might go 'cause he'd be going with you." Josie gave it a thought. She hated the scene but it would be tolerable as long as Dodge was with her. "C'mon, if I'm going, you're going too." Her best friend gave her a nudge in the arm.
However, a familiar voice interrupts them. "Hey, Heather. Can we talk?" Ray Hall spoke daintily.
The immediate frown rose in Heather's expression as she saw his face. Never again does she want to speak with or see him. Heather accepted all she had to do was ignore him for the rest of her life. "No, I don't think we can."
"Please, it'll only take a second. It's about yesterday."
"There's nothing to talk about, Ray." She said coldly. "It was a mistake trying to talk to you. A stupid mistake."
"Heather, I'm sorry. Look, I didn't mean all those things-"
A part of Josie felt bad for the guy. Despite Heather's rejection, he continues to plead, to give him a chance to speak. Nothing was cutting it with her best friend who refused to give him her attention and chose to stare straight forward at the table, ignoring his excuses Josie didn't understand the context of. And when he ran out of words to say and energy to give, he simply left the diner before looking back once more at the brunette Josie couldn't quite depict what the look meant.
"What was that about?" Josie asks.
"Nothing. I..." Heather breathed in. "I've been distracted during the first week of Panic and at the Graybill challenge...Ray and I almost hooked up."
"Save me the lecture. Natalie already gave me one." She cuts the Slater girl off before she could say anything.
"I feel like such an idiot. I can't believe I think that he might actually have some feelings for me that didn't come out of his dick." Heather frustratingly runs her fingers through her hair as she relived those same feelings she wished he had for her the way she had for him. Perhaps it was love or just the assumption of love, she didn't know. She didn't need to know more about it as it wasn't her problem anymore. "But you were right and Nat was right. He's an asshole. Just like his brother."
"Did Luke do something?" The dark-haired girl's voice sounded alert, protective.
"I wanted to confront him on what he answered during Panic. So I went over to his place and was looking for him on his boat, but Luke was there too but I left as soon as I can." Heather continues. "This would probably not sound unusual but I think Luke is up to something. Over at the boat, I found these ballots- betting slips-"
"With our names on them?" Josie finishes her sentence.
Josie nudges Heather closer. "I bumped into Luke a few days ago and I found similar ones that I found in Spurlock's basement." She uttered.
"I know this sounds crazy but I think Luke's fixing the game. There were slips from last year's game too. And I think it might be connected to Jimmy and Abby's deaths." Heather listened intently to Josie. "Abby was pregnant before she died but she had an abortion. I don't know if Jimmy knew or if anyone else did. But what if that was the reason she gave up on Panic. Everyone saw that she was acting off and a lot were betting a lot of money on her."
"They needed her to keep playing for the money. She could've been manipulated to keep playing or she was blackmailed to forfeit the game."
"And you think this person is Luke?"
"It makes sense, Heather," Josie exclaimed. "Panic's been here long enough. He's betting now he could've done so before. He sagged all the money he won before, remember? He tried betting on either Jimmy or Abby but neither won, so he's back now betting on Ray 'cause he's broke and desperate."
"We all know he's just gonna take the money if Ray wins." She deteriorates.
Having a moment to take it all in, Heather was overwhelmed. Sinking in the thoughts of how corrupt the game has turned now. Or it was always like this but they never really knew. It needed to stop before it gets worse. "We need to tell the cops, Josie."
She shakes her head, no. "The second we tell them about us and Panic, they're gonna arrest us. I don't think they're gonna believe us anyway. We're gonna need more than just a hunch and betting slips."
The two girls were troubled. Asking the Slater girl how can they find more evidence, the notion came into Josie's head. "We could sneak into Ray's boat again. I bet there's stuff there."
"We are not sneaking back there, Josie." Heather differed. Josie's expression sunk. "Luke could be there."
"It'll be fine. I have a gun."
"You have a gun?!" She yelled, eyes widened. Josie immediately tried to cover her mouth in silence. Some wandering eyes stared at the two but sooner dismissed their attention. "Where did you get a gun, Josie?!" Heather whispered.
"Does it matter? I always keep it in my bag. We'll be fine." Josie says, earning a judgemental look from the brunette. She exhaled. "I stole it from Spurlock's basement, alright. It's not like I'm gonna use it. It's just insurance. Just in case."
"Just in case, what?"
"Just in case someone would try to mess with us just like they did with Abby."
"Abby was leading in Panic, remember? Everyone knew her only real competition was Jimmy." Josie recalled the stories she'd heard a summer ago on how that year of Panic was gonna be epic. "A guy was betting a lot on him. If they wanted Jimmy and them to win, then they needed her out."
Josie recounted the first time she had heard about Panic. As a kid, she'd see the older kids running around town doing crazy shit. At first, she thought that was how one acted when they were older. She remembered Natalie dragging her and Heather out of the swimming hole, seeing the teens jumping high from the drop, her heart pounding frantically in her chest not knowing what was going on. As Natalie continued to drag to them whatever parties she could and drunk teenagers boasted about the money they were gonna win, Josie was introduced to Panic.
She knew they were just mere fishes playing in a much larger bowl. Lost in their own bubbles as something bigger happens on the outside. They were never aware of how much was occurring outside of Panic. They were able to get away with it so easily. But she refused to allow them to take her down, as they did to Jimmy and Abby. The closer she got to the finish line, the closer to the danger she gets.
————
As the breeze through his car window brushes through his brown hair, Dodge's mind wavered toward something else. After being on edge about Panic, he drove to the ranch to get it off his mind but the email he got sooner after the session drove him back to the problem.
It's been weeks since the last mention of Panic. Dodge thought it would give him some rest or a break but he just ached it even more. The complete silence felt like a giant clock ticking, telling him he was running out of time. The longer he waited, the further Luke Hall was getting what he deserved. He wanted the game to end as soon as it can. He wanted to make Luke Hall pay for what he did to Dayna. And this would finally be over.
The days hadn't been so bad. He'd been with Josie. And it was certainly the best days of his life. At every thought, mention, sight, call, text, or even just by being around Josie, Dodge was happy. Happier than he could've ever imagined. He didn't think it was possible to be like this. The possibilities with her are endless and sometimes he wished the summer would be endless too. Despite his reality regarding his drive for revenge, he wouldn't want to wake up one day and find all the memories with disappeared. He'd be lost.
As Dodge's car took a turn to the street near his place, he spotted a familiar figure of Josie Slater walking across the pavement.
"Hey!" He called out. "What're you doing here?"
Josie gazes at Dodge as he got off his car and dashes his way in her direction. "I was over by your house. I was looking for you but Dayna said you were over by the ranch."
"Well, you found me now." The pair gleamed at each other.
"Have you got any news on your individuals yet?" Dodge asks her. Josie noticed his eyes slightly narrowed with seriousness every time he spoke regarding Panic. "Nope. Not yet." She shrugged. "You?"
"It got in just a while ago. All I got was an email." She peered over the message sent to Dodge's phone, reading: In a world of locked rooms, the man with the key is king. The couple's forehead creased after a second of deduction.
"Guess you need to find a key," Josie suggested. "Probably. They didn't mention a date or a time yet though."
"You nervous?"
"A little bit, but we'll get through it. I know we will." He gave her a light peck on the cheek.
Wondered about her sudden silence, he asked her if something was concerning her. He noticed how often Josie would go into a daze. Her brows were wrinkled in thought and her eyes shifted around like she was on guard for something. Dodge squeezed Josie's hand, seeing how lost she was in her own head again. He knew something was wrong but he didn't want to push it.
"Are you gonna stay over tonight, or...?"
"No. Well, that reminds me." She loomed closer. "Actually, I came here to ask you something."
"There's this party thing the town throws every year at Coral Lake." Josie looked down, her hands nervously fidgeting on the sides of her legs. "And I wanted to ask you if you wanted to go with me to Midsummer..."
"Are you asking me out?" Dodge couldn't help but smirk.
"Yes. Yes, I'm asking. But I mean, y-you don't have to if you don't want. The party's pretty stupid actually, so it's fine if you say no." Josie continues to ramble. "N-Not like I want you to say no. I'm just saying you can but I do want you to say yes. But don't feel pressured to say yes though 'cause-"
"Hey, hey, hey." He cuts her off. Holding her by the shoulders which seemed to ease her anxious breathing. Josie apologized for babbling to which Dodge replied with a chuckle. She didn't have much experience with dating, not asking a guy out herself, so this was all kind of new to her. It was new for both of them.
"Yes. I'd love to go with you." Dodge grinned.
"Seriously?"
"Yeah, seriously." He smiled. "Actually, I saw a flyer in town, and I was planning to ask you but you kinda beat me to it."
Despite her earlier reluctance, Josie mentally agreed of going. Dodge saying yes was the right push that got her to decide to go. The prospect of being around Dodge didn't seem too horrible, even though Josie disliked going out to places where she knew she wouldn't exactly fit in. When they are alongside one other, difficult situations become bearable. Perhaps it is how they saw one another. They were each other's safe place.
"I didn't think you'd like those types of stuff."
"I don't sometimes, but I like you and I want to take you to this thing."
"Oh yeah, I forgot. You had a crush on me since the first day of school." She quipped. The two gazed at each other as his hands snaked around her waist.
"I really want to take you out on a date, like an actual date, so I think maybe Midsummer could be it," Dodge tells her about his wishes. He looked over to her, lips slightly pouted.
"...That first official date could happen tonight." The girl grinned as she continued. "Heather gave me this idea. She and Bishop are going to the drive-in tonight and I was thinking we could go..." Dodge bit his lip as she continued to look at him with those eyes that would make him say yes to anything.
"Always finding ways to be around me, huh, Slater."
"I guess I just really like you, Mason."
He never had a girlfriend before. Nothing came to mind when you ask him if he remotely liked someone. He never had particular expectations regarding relationships. He also never realized how his days previously felt so empty. He wanted nothing but to skip forward and end it all. But that was before Josie Slater. Everything else before her felt like a fever dream.
I shouldn't be thinking like this, his mind fought as panic rose on him. He was scared. He was uncontrollably scared. Scared of losing her. Scared of being lost without her because, for the first time, he felt like he belonged. A part of him knew that she was meant for something. Something better. Something bigger. Something greater. He knew that as the days of summer passed and reality comes knocking on their door, he'd have to see her fly away.
"Josie..." He spoke.
"I..."
Bzzzzzz. Josie's phone vibrated, cutting off Dodge's words before he could say them. "It's Heather." She mentioned. Shoving his hands into his pocket while he masks his disappointment, he listened thoroughly as Josie read the text her friend sent her, asking her if she could stop by her place to get ready. After she declined his offer to drive her there, he sighed. He was desperate to spend more time with her, but guess he just has to wait until tonight.
"I'll see you tonight?"
"See you tonight."
"Just promise me that you won't wear anything black."
Dodge laughs. "That sounds like a challenge, but I promise."
"See you later, Dodge Mason," Josie says before giving him one final kiss on the cheek as they parted ways.
The boy watched her depart the street as her figure walked away from him, then got back in his car and headed toward his house, which was only a few doors away. Making a turn and parking the car in their driveway, Dodge groaned as he shifted toward his rear-view mirror noticing the familiar sheriff's car following him and pulling over in front of the house.
"Afternoon, son!" Dodge kept a watchful glare as Sheriff Cortez exits his car and made his way toward him. "My mom's not here." He answered quickly, quickening his steps to the front door, ready to escape from the guy.
"I'm not here to talk to Jessica. I'm here to talk to you." Cortez tried to keep it light.
"Yeah. Well, I kinda already have plans tonight, Sheriff. So I can't really-"
"I need to speak to you, Dodge." The sternness and sharpness of Cortez's voice were enough to make Dodge comply. Stopping mid-step from the stairs, he stopped, turning back to the old man who now got his full attention.
"Still no news about Panic?" He breathed out, getting right into business. Dodge only shook his head at the question.
"How about your individual? Nothing?"
"Nope. Not yet." The Mason boy casually shrugged, keeping it nonchalant as the sheriff continues to grill him.
Visions focused, almost as if he was examining the boy, he interrogates. "You sure?" Dodge looked away for a second. Not because he was gonna break. He would never. It was to shudder away the scornful glare he was about to send towards the sheriff's continuance. Looking at him straight in the eye, he answered. "Yeah, I'm sure."
The two stood quiet before Cortez released a light chuckle. "Well, that's disappointing. The sooner the game ends, the sooner this is over, right?" The teenager let out a tight-lipped grin before returning back to his plain expression.
"I noticed that you've been distracted lately, son." He trod forward.
"You keeping tabs on me now?"
"I do. If it means that our plan would work." Dodge wanted to roll his eyes as he continued. "You've come this far. You're not slowing down now."
"I'm not." He folded his arms to his chest.
"Dodge, remember the plan. You have to be in the lead at Panic so you can go against Luke at Joust. It's not gonna work if you're not. You understand that?"
Dodge did understand. For a year, that was all he understood. There was never a day that goes by that he doesn't look up at his ceiling in the middle of the night and replay the whole idea in his head. From the night of Dayna's accident to those nights he spent right beside her at the hospital and all those months in physical therapy. When Sheriff Cortez reached out to his family with a notion, a flicker of hope and rage surged through Dodge. Nothing was gonna get in between him and Luke Hall. Cortez made sure of that.
"Heather Hill is in the lead, right?" The sheriff referred.
"She was, but she didn't show up so she forfeited."
"Then, who is it?" He asked, impatiently. "Who is it now?"
The seventh challenge at the bridge didn't count any points but deducted one if players took longer to walk through the tracks. That means the fugitive challenge for finding the flags was the last pointed round, Dodge opined. He could still clearly recall the tenseness. His blood was rushing as he ran throughout the city trying to elude the police. He also recalled discovering the flag that was hiding in plain sight. He remembered pleasantly finishing in second after the person he admit he wouldn't mind losing to.
"Josie Slater?"
Dodge felt his breath hitched as Cortez mentioned her name. With Heather out of the running, Josie was leading for scoring first at the flag challenge and still has most of her points intact at the previous one.
"She's tough I'll give her that, but she'll crack just like that mother of hers." The boy flexed his hand, open and closed. He inhaled sharply as Cortez continued to talk about her.
"Now obviously all you have to do is beat her. Shouldn't be a problem."
"Don't drag her into this."
"Son, if she's playing Panic, then she's already part of it," Cortez spoke slowly to get him to understand.
"Don't go soft on me now, Dodge." He gave him a tap on the shoulder. "You weren't like this with that Natalie Williams."
Right after he made the deal to team up with Natalie, Dodge told Sheriff Cortez. Natalie digging more about his past was a dilemma they don't have time to spare for. Cortez gave him a warning. To take care of it or he will. She won't be a problem, Dodge said. With Natalie, he would have quickly dismissed anything that may have put the plan in jeopardy, but with Josie, he felt divided.
"What is it? You have a thing for her?" The man asks. Dodge gripped the side of his arms. His hands almost turned red, holding back. "Panic's a game, son. Josie Slater, Natalie Williams, Heather Hill. Everyone in this town is willing to do anything for just about anything. Don't be fooled."
"You don't know her, sheriff."
"I knew her since she was seven." He stated. "Trust me. I know her."
"You think she wouldn't cast you aside when it comes down between the both of you? Panic is her ticket out of Carp and she's not gonna miss that shot. You know that." Cortez points out.
"Keep an eye on her."
"Leave Josie out of this." He sent him a sharp, deadly gaze. It wasn't a favor, it was a warning.
"You're not just gonna throw it all away because of some girl, are you? You do remember who you're playing for?" The man walked closer. Dodge tried to keep his breathing under control as Cortez continued to lecture him. His knuckles formed into a fist. It would only take a second the send a punch flying to Cortez, but he resisted.
"This is for Dayna. This is for your mother. This is for you. And the justice you all deserved."
"What are you gonna do, Dodge?"
Anger was his fuel. It was the only thing that kept him going as the need for revenge flooded through his veins. He only wanted to scream at this point. He wanted to go atop the highest mountain and scream. Dodge grows more and more torn as they move closer to getting their payback. He knew that if he made the wrong move, he would either lose Josie or the opportunity to face Luke. But every move appeared to be the wrong one.
The Mason boy's shoulders fell. His gaze was set on the ground as some part of him knew Josie wouldn't back down so easily in Panic. That she would give everything she can to win, just like he would. Dodge didn't want to go against her. That was the last thing he wanted to happen. Because he knew that he would throw away the game if it means that she would be alright.
He had to do something. He'd restrain her if he has to. They were already in the tricky part of Panic. He'll do anything to keep her out of all this. He wasn't gonna let her get hurt.
"I'll take care of it."
————
Dodge Mason felt like he was hanging over a tightrope. His heart racing the whole drive towards Heather's place. He was slightly grateful for Josie's suggestion to bring Heather alongside in the car. Then maybe she wouldn't notice his silence.
Leaning up against the car, he took out his phone, texting the said girl that he was outside the house. Even just by merely texting her, he felt guilty.
Panic rose through his chest the second Cortez mentioned Josie's name. It sounded like a threat when he told Dodge to keep an eye on her. She wasn't a threat. She was Josie. His Josie. Just like that, everything felt different now. The last thing he wanted was to drag her along with their plans. Dodge knew it was dangerous. He was reckless and he didn't care, but it wasn't the same case with her.
He let out a breath. Exhaling sharply as he tried to figure out a way to pull her out of the circle she was already in while also not letting her find out the truth. He needed her gone from the games. The idea of putting her in danger made him fume in anger but also ache in desperation. The tall boy taps his foot restlessly against the ground, waiting for the two girls to come out.
His intrusive thoughts were immediately interrupted upon hearing those daring footsteps. Those steps that always strode with certainty and balance. Never faltering even when the world tried to bring her down.
"Hi."
Looking up from his shoes after hearing the familiar tune, his eyes trailed up seeing the girl that he was most nervous about but also excited to see.
"Hi," Dodge said back.
"You're not wearing black," Josie pointed out. He let out a chuckle. "I'm not."
Dodge didn't even try to cover the grin she could so easily get from him. Laying out his hands outward, he showcased himself. She took a moment to look at him up and down. Giving an unbelievable smirk seeing the Mason boy all dressed up. Instead of wearing his usual color, he wore a dark blue dress shirt, and underneath was a light grey t-shirt. She also noticed how the hair she continuously ran her fingers to has been brushed a bit over at the side which made her see his face better.
Looking at her was like waking up at the right moment as the sun peeks and being able to see the first ounce of sunlight. Beautiful moments tend to happen less often around him but this time, this second, this was one. He smiled to himself seeing that spark in her eyes. Her lips had a little color of lipstick on them but are still familiar. Her cheeks were red and her summer yellow dress she paired with a denim jacket.
"You look beautiful."
"Thanks."
"You look very beautiful."
"Is that all you could say?"
"Honestly, I'm trying to find the words." The pair exchanged a bit of laughter. Her smiling seemed to melt the ice forming around him.
She loomed closer. "You clean up nice too. Handsome, even."
Dodge's eyes soften as the corner of his mouth quirked up in delight. He looked at her, trying hard to memorize this moment. He wanted to remember her exactly as she was right now. Her staple smile. The kind of smile that could save his entire world and crumble it down the second it disappears.How her bright yellow dress made her look like the sun, the way her long dark hair always looked so neat as the wind blew. Even the very faint bruise on her ankle that Dodge remembered during the first night he drove her home.
"Hey, I need uhm- I need to tell you something..."
"Sounds serious," Josie said in a laugh wrought with nervous energy. "Everything okay?"
"Y-yeah. Uhm...Josie, I-"
"Hey, there lovebirds!" Heather's loud voice yelled out from behind them as she approached them with quick and exciting steps. "Sorry I took so long your girlfriend here didn't even bother to help me look for a jacket." She pants, nudging her friend.
"I interrupted something, did I?" She shifts her gaze between them.
"Dodge was just about to tell me something," Josie said. She goes back to Dodge. "Sorry. What was it?"
"I..." His voice was about to crack like ice. "I- I don't know what movie we're watching tonight."
Their brunette friend let out a small chuckle, clasping her hands, she mentions. "It's The Princess Bride. Have you seen it?"
Dodge nods.
"Alright, well- let's go. C'mon guys." She waves her hand, nudging them to follow her as she makes her way to the car. The pair let go of each other, following her sooner after.
Just before he could open the car door, Josie pulled him aside for a second. She rosed in concern. Seeing his demeanor change, she asks. "Dodge, you okay?"
"Yeah." He spoke confidently. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Her eyes wander around his in thought, finding some truth that she'll settle to. Josie gave a smile, wanting to enjoy the night rather than interrogate him for something she believes that he would tell her eventually because he trusts her, right?
"Ready?"
"Ready when you are."
————
Sitting comfortably in the passenger seat of Dodge's car, the pair quietly watched the movie projecting in the large white silk across from them. It's been thirty minutes since they arrived and no one said a thing except for excerpts of are you enjoying the movie? or are you cold?
"Hey, you good?"
Giving out a tight-lipped, reassuring smile, she says, "I'm fine."
"Do you want me to get you a drink or something?"
"Dodge, seriously, I'm fine.
Looking over to Heather and Bishop's car right on their left, they seemed to be immersed in the film too as Dodge likes to pretend. He's been acting a little closed off these days ever since Josie's encounter with Luke. He'd be guarded and mostly tried to be alone with his thoughts, like what he's doing right now. Neither of them was fully paying attention to the movie. Both of them were idly gazing at the film while their minds were elsewhere.
She was also veering off in another direction. She was nervous about what she and Heather were finding out about the betting ring for Panic players, especially after learning that Luke was involved. And how she could sense in the pit of her stomach that Dodge is keeping something from her about what is also going on between Luke and himself.
In a daze, she felt his hand reaching for hers. His fingers grazed on her skin, both hands intertwine. Her body felt suddenly fizzy and warm.
"Are you gonna miss me?" Dodge asked suddenly.
"Don't be an idiot," she said, nudging him.
"I'm serious." He shifted, sitting closer and turning his shoulder to face her. "I'm gonna miss you so bad, Jo."
"Nothing bad's gonna happen, Dodge." Her words seem to soothe a part of him. Telling him that everything was going to be ok.
Josie felt a loud, cruel throb in her chest as if her heart were about to burst. She had been making an effort to avoid the possibility that they would part ways after the summer. She would be off for college, and Dodge could do whatever he wanted. She'll miss him more than words can express.
For a second, she didn't think. She just leaned in, closed her eyes, and kissed him.
Dodge kissed girls before but not like that. He often found it stressful to try to determine if he was doing it correctly or whether he was doing too much or too little. He never really cared about it until his first kiss with Josie. But with Josie, he forgot to think, or even breathe.
Their lips moved in sync. It was a kind of kiss that gave her body tingles and made her want more. He murmured her name, his voice hoarse with something more. His strong body pressed against hers. His firm hand firmly touched the small of her back, and his other moved to her neck, enticing her with the gentle warmth of his skin and attempting to draw her in. His mouth probed hers as her hands went through his hair, clutching on for dear life. She was simply there, inhaling the smell of him, of his lips, while the movie thudded softly in the background.
Then, abruptly, Dodge pulled away. "Wait," he said. "Wait."
Dodge drew back an inch, frowning. He sighed and stroked his hair with his fingertips. As soon as he stopped touching her, Josie yearned for his touch to come back.
"I can't..." Suddenly he looked different- changed, full of regret, like someone she barely knew. "I don't want to lie to you, Josie."
"I need you to back out from Panic."
She stiffened suddenly. "What are you talking about?"
"Please listen to me, Jo. Just trust me."
"How could I?" She grimaced, distrustfully. "You're not even telling me why."
"Did Natalie put you up to this?" Josie was shaking. "No, she didn't-" Dodge fends. "I completely forgot about your team up with her."
"That's not what this is about."
"-Well, then tell me what this is about."
"You don't want to know, Josie."
"Try me."
She was staring at him so intensely, Dodge could feel the warmth between them.
"I can't let you keep playing and I can't let you go to Joust because I have to. And if you're there, then I can't win." His throat tightened "And I have to. I have to win. I have to beat Luke. I'm not gonna let him get away with what he did to Dayna."
"Is this about what he did to the girl in the hit-and-run? Is this what you and your mom were talking about? Your plan?" Her words pondered through his head as those memories flash back into his brain like a slideshow. Dodge closes his eyes as he deeply exhaled, feeling defeated and seen by her. "Or you could tell me that I'm wrong." Josie wanted her to be wrong.
"I'm playing for revenge," Dodge says. "It's all Luke's fault and he's gonna pay for it."
She felt suddenly cold. The word revenge was so awful. Straight and sharp, like a knife.
"You can't just decide to do that, Dodge." Josie continues to stare at the blank state of the boy. She sighed to herself, cursing and feeling betrayed.
"But Luke can just decide to run over my sister and get away with it." His jaw clenched in rising anger. "He's walking around without a scratch on him. I just want to get even."
"So, what are we, Dodge? Just pawns to your little revenge plan?"
"I don't want to hurt anyone, Jo." He had tremble in his voice. "How am I sure of that?" Her icy words stung his chest. "Because I don't. But Luke is gonna get what he deserves." Dodge had the urge to take Josie's hand, but Josie was hugging herself tightly.
"You're scared." He says, observing her distant figure. "You're scared of me?"
She turned away from him. "I think I'm gonna need that drink now."
This was what he was trying to prevent. What he was relieving himself from. Dodge felt a pang in his chest as she looked at him with those eyes. He felt he was a monster. Maybe he was. Dodge wasn't like Dayna. He couldn't make peace with the past. He couldn't change his nature. He was out for vengeance, and he was going to get it. But everything came with a cost.
Exiting the car and giving her space, he retreated behind the food truck further beside the other cars. Leaning his head down the truck, he felt cold. The cold was washing through his whole body. He was freezing, confused and furious. He didn't feel like himself.
"Fuck off, Ray!" He turns toward the commotion coming from in between his and Bishop's car, recognizing Bishop's voice and the nauseating sight of Ray Hall.
When Ray saw the pair smitten with one another, he made the petty and cruel decision to mess with them. Calling out while banging on the car's window. Heather longed to strangle him while glaring scornfully at Ray, but the Hall boy seemed unbothered. She wouldn't even talk to him. He's got nothing to lose.
"I'm not gonna say I'm not surprised. I mean, if the son of the richest guy in town has a thing for me, I'll jump on that train." Regardless of Bishop being face to face with him, Ray gave a smug smirk. "Seeing how cozy you two were, I guess your daddy didn't pay for that one, didn't he Bishop?" He winks.
"Just fuck off, asshole."
Ironically looking up, grinning as he recognized her bossy tone, he fumes. "You seriously have got to mind your fucking business, Josie."
"Leave them alone, Ray."
"You don't get to tell me what to do." He points, intensely treading closer to Josie which Bishop immediately stood in her defense and harshly pushed Ray away. "Just get out of here, man."
He scoffs, biting the inside of his cheek. "Don't push me." He warns and dashed to push the boy with stronger force. Heather instantly ran out of the car as a fight is beginning to arise. Josie rushed to pull Bishop out from Ray's punches and stop him from giving some. From the corner of her eyes, she could spot others seeing the two boys shove each other repeatedly. Their grunts are getting louder and are gaining an audience.
"Woah!" The voice of the other Hall came into view. "What's going on here?"
"Tell your brother to leave us alone," Josie yelled.
"Feisty, there." Luke grinned down at her. It sent a chill down her spine as she looked at him now after Dodge's admission. It made her irk at him even more.
"Both of you dicks should just leave."
"Do you really want that, sweetheart?" Luke sniggered. Ray grabs Luke by the shoulder as he inches closer to Josie, telling him to just leave it. "You know I would've bet a lot of money on you. If only Ray wasn't around." He whispers.
Her hands formed a fist as she felt his fingers brush her arms and his other arm circling her waist. "Let go." He doesn't listen. "Let GO!" She punches him in the gut.
"What? I thought you liked that. You liked it before." Luke laughed, yelling out the last part for everyone to hear as more people gathered. Josie could hear Ray's pleas to his brother as Bishop tried to shield her away from Luke as she rages. "Your mom certainly did. You know what they say like mother like daughter."
That was the last straw.
Breaking free from Bishop, she darted toward Luke's smirking figure and punches him in the nose. Hard, strong, and straight. One is the first punch. Second, to make sure it hurt. The people around gasped, including Heather, Bishop, and Ray, seeing the blood rushing out of Luke's nose. The pain in her knuckles was excusable, satisfaction rose on her. The very pissed-off Luke retaliates, slapping the teenager hard and harshly. She could've sworn the slap echoed around the parking lot. Josie winced and groaned. The side of her face stung and a tear just fell from her right cheek.
It was lightning-like. Dodge suddenly rushes in to defend her, taking Luke by the shirt and delivering a clean blow to Luke's bloody face while dragging him away from Josie's position at the end.
He could feel it. The cold in Dodge's chest had turned into a hard fist. It was pounding on his ribs and trying to burst through his skin. As if all the anger and vengeance he was saving up for their confrontation on Joust were bursting at this very moment. Luke failed to fight back. His flailing arms could not stand a chance against Dodge. Dodge continued to attack. Punching and punching and punching the man continuously, not even giving him time to breathe. Dodge didn't care about the blood marking on his skin, the looks people were giving him, or the pain and numbness he was feeling on his knuckles. Ray tried to shove him off, but he didn't even flinch.
"Dodge. DODGE!" Josie shouts, running close to him. She grabs his shoulder trying to pull him away before he does something stupid. Something he might regret. "DODGE! Stop! You're gonna- DODGE, PLEASE!"
His trance was broken by her begging voice. His eyes scream in grief and despair as he stares at the bleeding Luke, his fist, and then her. Luke seized the opportunity to knock the Mason boy to the ground while he was off guard. With the advantage, he doesn't waste time pounding the boy in the face, arm, chest, or stomach. Josie froze in fear. The sound of Dodge writhing in agony and coughing blood caused her breathing to become erratic, and she began to shake with panic.
Luke caught him and wrapped his arms in a circle around Dodge's neck, strangling him. Ray ran up to Luke's side as his eyes grew wide. He shoved and shook his brother to get him to stop, but it was pointless. Menacingly staring at him dead straight, Luke gripped tighter at Dodge's neck, choking him and watching him slowly lose the life out of his eyes.
Josie took off running. Running towards Dodge's car, she ducked inside her purse the thing she thought could help. She needed to do something. Josie overheard Heather scream to Bishop to call the cops. Dodge's visions started to feel drowsy. His eyes began to turn red and his face pale. Her eyes widened, seeing Dodge's arms tap desperately and vindictively at Luke's arm to let him go before he took his last breath.
Click.
He didn't need to look. He didn't need her to say. As his breath stuck in the pit of his throat, he was trembling. Just one pull of the trigger, he'd be dead. Feeling the barrel settled patiently on his skull, Luke knew he needed to pull away.
"Easy, sweetheart."
"Let. Him. Go." Josie threatened, holding the gun down to his head.
As soon as Josie drew out the old revolver, the joyful applause quickly faded into frightened quiet, including Ray, who was tentatively holding out his hand as he moved forward.
Finally letting go of Dodge's neck, the Mason boy let out a desperate cry of air. Josie sighed in relief seeing him okay, squatting down on the ground, coughing, inhaling and exhaling. Still with the gun on his head, Luke laid out his arms up in surrender.
"Careful, sweetheart, you might hurt yourself."
"Oh, would I?"
BANG! She shot just right by Luke's foot which had the whole scenery duck down in fear including the nearby people flinching as she took the shot. Eyes darted, scowling on Luke, she points the gun back to him.
"If you do anything to him again, next time it's the head."
"Now for the last time, while I'm still being nice, fuck off!"
Sending her one last glare, Luke and the rest of his party got on their truck and drove off. Everyone else seemed to get the message, some driving off and others going back to watch the film that Josie never noticed was still playing in the background.
There was no joy left in the game. No lightness or humor at all. Panic, as far as Josie knew, had never been this serious. It had never been played with so much secretiveness, either. With everything that just happened in the past half hour, Josie didn't know what to do. But she knew that this is more than just their game now. None of them was safe. No more. Never again. At last, she realized too that despite everything, the game was still ongoing. And that she had just lost.
Part Summary: It’s the Fourth of July, over a week has passed since the granary and there’s silence from the Judges. When Nat seeks an alliance with Dodge, Y/N makes an alliance of her own.
Masterlist
I drive up to the training pen on the ranch. I would’ve been here sooner had I not been obligated to attend the parade with Nat and Heather.
Dodge skipped out on the festivities to help out on the ranch. He’s been trying to tame this one Appaloosa for weeks now. Everyone says he’s the only one who can do it. He is the only one who has the patience for it but sometimes I think these guys forget he’s just a kid. These thirty-something professionals put a lot of faith into an eighteen-year-old. They’re the professionals who get paid to risk their safety. Dodge does it because he loves it despite the danger.
I hop out of the driver’s seat of my car and stroll over to Dodge’s to sit on his trunk while he finishes up. This is our routine on the weekends or in this case the Fourth of July. Whenever he isn’t working, Dodge is here training for the next competition or helping out the boys on the ranch. I come and watch when I can. It used to make Dodge a bit nervous when we first started dating but not anymore. Now, he sees it as a good luck charm. He cleared the board the first time I went to one of his competitions. I haven’t missed one since. He won’t let me. He makes me wear his black hat too because I stole it the day he won everything. Dodge isn’t superstitious or anything...
Watching him ride triggers mixed emotions. A part of me loves it. It’s fun dating a badass cowboy. The other half is all too aware of the risks. One bad kick or landing and Dodge won’t ever ride again. Riding is his life, nothing good would come from him losing it.
The horse bucks with just the right amount of aggression to have Dodge slip off, thankfully he lands on his feet. he starts toward the gate, panting to catch his breath. Then, the house starts to charge at him while his back is turned.
“Yo! Yo! Watch it!” Adam warns from the fence.
Dodge sprints away, avoiding the flailing horse. He hops onto the gate and swings over. The three men hop into the pen to calm the horse down and get ready to guide back into the stables.
Dodge approaches me, decked out his cowboy hat, boots, and matching denim outfit. Damn.
“Hi Baby,” he greets with a slight pant.
“Howdy,” I snicker.
He plants a quick peck to my lips before taking a seat on the trunk of his car beside me. “Natalie came to see me at the cafe yesterday,” he states casually.
My head snaps in his direction. “Wait, what!”
“She found out about me reenrolling in school, that I compete, and suspects I’m a Judge.” He certainly left the best for last.
My brows scrunch together with a scoff. “A judge?”
He hums, nodding faintly.
“Bullshit but okay,” I accuse, turning my attention back to the pen.
He snickers. “Why do you say that?”
“She knows you moved here last August. The Judges wouldn’t have picked a total stranger,” I reason.
“That’s what I told her. She wants to team up,” he adds as if there wasn’t already enough.
“And?” I inquire.
“And…” He pauses, watching as the guys guide the horse back to the stables. He best choose his next words wisely. “I don’t think it would hurt. She’s trying to get me to… I don’t know... like her in some way, earn my approval?” He describes with a furrowed brow. “I don’t care if all of us work together to get in the final four, but her being so nice isn’t necessary.”
"Interesting..." I press my lips together and my eyes wander to a distant piece of grass.
"Don't get like that," he remarks disapprovingly and rubs my back.
"Like what?" I frown, keeping my focus anywhere but him.
He tucks his fingers between my chin and guides me to look at him. "Quiet, when I know gosh darn well that your mind is racing,” he remarks confidently. “She's your friend. You don't trust her?"
"I don't trust anyone.”
His features falter as his eyes search my face. "Even me?"
I sigh, still torn on that answer. "I'm starting to."
He brings his hand to my cheek and brushes strands of my hair back. "I'll never hurt you." He mumbles and places a gentle kiss on my forehead.
When he pulls back and rests his forehead against mine, I meet his gaze. "That's a tall promise,” I whisper.
His lips brush against mine. “So, what about tonight?”
“We go on business as usual,” I conclude reluctantly, hating the idea of Doge working with Nat. “I play dumb, act like Natalie, Heather and I are best friends. you’re allies with Natalie, and nobody needs to know the truth.”
“She asked me about you,” he confesses. “About the granary.”
I swallow hard. When Dodge almost fell I didn’t care who saw or what came of the game. All I cared about was him and now that it’s been over a week I’m not surprised that Natalie is seeking answers. “And?”
“Told her I hardly knew you, that we were work-friends if that.”
I nod. “Good. Let’s keep it like that.”
______________________________________
Dodge and I agreed to have him pick up Natalie and Heather before getting me to aid in our story. The less we’re seen alone together the better. I also told him to ask Natalie for directions. If they found out he knew the way to my house like the back of his hand, that would add to their suspicion. We also agreed that I have to act as though I don’t want to be allies with him. I have to be completely in the dark.
At seven sharp, my doorbell rings and I rise from my couch. I stuff my phone into my shorts pocket as I swing open my front door.
Nat waits for me with a perky smile. “Ready?”
And so it begins...
“Yeah!” I force on a smile and step outside. I spot Dodge’s car in the driveway with Heather in the backseat. “What’s this?”
“Extra pair of eyes and hands,” Nat justifies.
My brows scrunch together and I slow to a halt. “Can we trust him?”
Nat rolls her eyes and walks back to me. “You guys work practically every day together, you tell me.”
“I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him,” I lie, needing to sell this story to her.
“You seemed to care about him at the granary,” she argues.
It takes every bit of me not to roll my eyes. So, she’s interrogating like she did Dodge? Fine, she wants to play dirty, let’s play.
“Just because I don’t want to see a kid dead doesn’t mean we’re best friends,” I counter.
“Did you know his name is Andrew?” She tosses at me, crossing her arms over her chest.
Yes.
My lips part. “Wait what?”
She hums and steps closer to whisper. “Found out today. I went by his house when I was putting up posters. He has a sister in a wheelchair, Dayna. They moved here, reenrolled in school after he had already graduated, and he’s like in the top 10 best rodeo riders in the country.”
“I had no idea. Then again, he doesn’t talk much.” I tell her, glancing over her shoulder at Dodge. His eyes meet mine with a stone-cold expression. “And you think we can trust him?”
“He’s in the game for a reason. He claims it’s just for the money. I think there’s something else and I’m gonna find out what,” she voices, filled with determination.
Little does she know that I know Dodge better than anyone and I trust him more than anyone. Natalie wants to use Dodge for her own gain? Fine, I’ll use her and we’ll see who’s the last one standing.
________________________________
Diggins rambles on with some gibberish as we all stand in a circle in the woods by the farm. “Time flies, so fly like the crow to reap future treasures from wars long ago. Take one of these tokens along with when you leave and send a proof in pictures by midnight to me.”
“Um, translation... please?” Troy sasses.
Diggins sighs. “Troy, I wish that I could help you. But the puzzle is part of...”
“You're supposed to steal something,” Summer interjects.
“Thank you, Summer,” Diggins huffs.
“Uh, so we have to go in-inside the house?” Shawna questions.
“Illegal entry... it happens every year,” Heather explains.
“Hmm, the student becomes the master?” Nat grins proudly.
“You can choose the cornfields or the woods to get to Spurlock's,” Diggins explains. “And 'cause we didn't complete the last challenge, the judges decided it was unfair to award or deduct any points-based...”
My jaw drops. “Wait, how is that fair?”
“Some of us actually had to cross!” Heather adds.
“Yeah, not all of us,” Nat argues.
“Yeah, I had to cross, Diggins!” Ray growls, about ready to throw some punches.
“Rankings are the same as they were after the first challenge,” Diggins reiterates, standing his ground. “Also, 'cause the cops busted us, no more spectators.
“We're still missing Tyler,” Summer points out.
“He'll be here,” Ray states.
“Okay, we'll just sneak in, steal something, get out, and then take a picture and send proof to Diggins by midnight!” Summer instructs, hopping down from the back of the truck.
“This challenge is worth 50 points, all or nothing,” Diggins adds. “You need 150 in order to make it to the next challenge, so... give it all you got.”
Everyone laughs, eager to get started. Dodge and I glance at one another, not sharing in their enthusiasm, but sure as hell ready to get this over with.
Ray passes by me and smirks. “Good luck, Princess.”
“You’re the one who needs the luck,” I challenge, earning a please grin from him.
Dodge appears at my side. “You ready?”
I hum. “Yeah.”
He glances toward Ray and steps between us. “Let's go around the woods,” he determines, pressing a protective hand to my back and guiding me away from Ray.
Nay, Heather, Dodge, and I run along the tree line toward the cornfield. I’ve always hated cornfields. I won’t go anywhere near a corn maze around Halloween. Anywhere I can’t get trapped I hate.
Nat slows and we gather just at the edge of the field. “Um... it'll be faster if we split up and scout. Um, we should see the greenhouses soon, or we're too far west. Let's meet back at the next break in ten minutes?” She suggests.
“Got it,” Heather agrees, already on her way.
“Hey,” I call after her before she disappears entirely. “Watch out, yeah?”
She offers me a soft smile. “Will do.”
So not only do I have to go into a corn maze but I have to go into it alone, nice.
“Alright, I’ll see y’all later,” I reluctantly start heading away from Dodge and Nat.
“Be careful!” She tells me, waving goodbye.
I glance at Dodge one last time before I head into the corn. I can’t believe I’m leaving him alone with her. I despise this plan already.
_____________________________
Phobias are often things people joke about or tease each other over. A fear of snakes, the dark, heights, or in my case, a fear of trapped, dark/deep bodies of water, or drowning. How about a combination of all three? Cleithrophobia, thalassophobia, and aquaphobia. Put this corn maze into a giant tank, fill it with water and I would no doubt have a panic attack. Though, I’m already having enough anxiety with cleithrophobia at the moment. The fear of being trapped.
There are always stories of people getting stuck in one of these for hours, sometimes for a whole day. I can practically feel the minutes pass by like seconds.
Tick... tick... tick
I keep having to check over my shoulder due to the constant gut-wrenching feeling of being followed. With each breeze, I swear it’s someone breathing down my neck.
All I have to do is get to the house. I just need to head south and get to the house.
As I’m trying to remain focused and remind myself of the task -- distract myself -- There’s a crack behind me. I whip around and slip on a combination of some fallen stocks and mud.
“Well, well, well,” a voice expresses from within the corn.
My heart pounds in my chest so hard that it aches. Do I run? Would I make it? Would I become lost and lose all direction?
Then, Ray emerges from the shadows with a smug smirk. “If it isn't Y/N on her knees. I’ve dreamt of this moment.”
“Jesus!” I pant, finally able to breathe again. “Shit Hall you scared the shit out of me!”
He chuckles. “I scare you and you fall on your ass? Sounds about right.” He offers me his hand and helps me up. “You’ve always been a bit of a clutz.”
“Ha...ha...” I sass, wiping down my shorts to get rid of the dirt and strands of hay.
“Where are your buddies?” He teases.
“We split up, divide and conquer,” I grumble, knowing it’s a bunch of bullshit but it’s what Natalie wants to sell.
He snickers. “And who’s idea was that?”
I give him a knowing look. “Take a lucky guess.”
He narrows his gaze, a hint of suspicion lingers in his eyes. “If you don’t like Nat’s plans, why do you go along with them?”
I shrug. “Allies are an important thing to have in a game like this.”
Every word I’ve said is nothing but a bunch of lies. I hate it more than anything but Dodge has reminded me time and time again that lying isn’t bad if everyone else is doing it against us. An eye for an eye.
“What about you and me?” Ray questions, stepping closer until our faces are mere inches apart. “Think we could be a team?”
I tilt my head back, peering up at him with uncertainty. “You're fucking with me.”
“Me? Never, at least not with you,” he grins.
Ray wouldn’t necessarily be bad to have on my side. He’s been pining after me since the 8th grade and perhaps that puppy dog infatuation would cloud his judgment. Earn his trust, use his skills and knowledge of the game, increase my chances of getting the final four, not a bad plan. If I keep convincing Nat that she and Heather are my only friends in this game, she’d never see it coming. I would have her -- which is questionable -- Heather, Dodge, and Ray all helping me to the finish line.
“Look, I know a shortcut if you want to follow me,” he offers, stepping back toward the direction he was heading. He offers me his hand, but I hesitate. “What? Don't trust me?” He smirks.
“No. Why would I? You tried to sabotage Dodge at the last challenge,” I recall that very important detail.
Advantage or not, Ray isn’t exactly a saint. If I’m going to team up with him, I have to be certain he’s not going to screw me over.
“I don't need sabotage to win, sweetheart,” he argues and shows me the clock on his phone. “Time's a-ticking.”
“Yeah, I don't want to point out the obvious, but I'm actually the one that's winning,” I counter.
“You were winning, but we both know you’re not making it out of this maze without some help,” he states, giving me a knowing look. “Fear is a strong emotion and I'm willing to lend you a helping hand. Remember, there are dozens of traps laying around here thanks to nutty Spurlock. Wouldn’t want you getting trapped, would we?”
My breath becomes shallow as he stares at me. Does he really know how terrified I am? How could Ray know about my fears? Granted, everyone knows about the accident, but not the specifics. He must be guessing.
“Who knows? Maybe you'll even return the favor and help me out some time,” he suggests, biting down on his lip.
Suddenly, there’s a loud screech and the cornfield lights up like a Christmas tree. Ray lunges toward me and yanks me down to the ground. The screeching becomes a tornado-like siren and shouting ensues.
“Are you fucking kidding me?! Dumbass kids!” You have ten seconds to get off my property! One!”
The siren is accompanied by an ear-piercing gunshot, causing Ray and I both to jump. Another follows and breaks through some stocks just yards away from us.
“Oh shit!” Ray brings me down lower and covers most of me with his body.
I grip the sleeve of his shirt. “Ray, let’s go!”
“What? No, we need to get inside!” He argues, poking his head up to get a better look at the house.
“And get shot?!”
He peers down at me and cups my face pleadingly. “Look, I won’t let him hurt you! Do you trust me?”
For some reason, a piece of me does trust Ray. “Yes.”
A glimmer appears in his eyes upon my answer and despite this less than ideal situation, there’s some optimism in his tone. “Okay, let’s go this way.” He slips his hand into mine and we start heading down the row of corn.
Mr. Spurlock continues shooting into the sky, the corn, everywhere. Ray releases my hand and slips his arm around my waist, locking his fingers through the loops of my shorts. When I nearly hit a trap, he yanks me back by my shorts and insists he leads. I don’t protest though if he gets hurt I’m fucked. His eyes flicker all around and though he would never admit it, I can tell he’s just as terrified, except he has more determination to win. I suppose this is why I trust him. He doesn’t have to keep me safe but he is and he’s willing to take a bullet for me. Very few people would do that on any occasion, but in Panic, it’s unheard of. So yes, I trust him.
Imagine Dodge Mason taking you to a dive bar on the outskirts of town to get away from all the opinionated busy bodies in Carp. He'd put his hand on the small of your back or rest it on your hip as he guides you into the bar and you find an empty table in the corner where you can listen to dad-rock blaring out of a beaten up jukebox. No one would check your IDs so he'd order beers and lounge back in his seat, resting his elbow on the top of it's seatback as he tips the bottle back and takes contemplative swigs.
You glance around, taking in the neon lights and the buzz around you, lowering your eyes to the table when a guy at least ten years your senior eyes you salaciously. You try to suppress your shiver but Dodge notices, eyeballing the guy and shrugging out of his leather jacket before standing up and draping it over your shoulders. Rubbing his hands up and down your arms he crouches before you and making sure you're ok. Nodding your head you plaster a smile on your face that becomes infinitely cheesier and more authentic when Dodge drops a kiss to your cheek. "You sure you're ok?" he whispers and you nod, lacing your fingers together and squeezing.
Standing back up to his full height, keeping your hands joined, Dodge returns to his own seat, tugging you into his lap and wrapping his arm around your shoulders. "Just making sure they know you're with me," he whispered in your ear, settling deeper into his seat. "Just them?" you grin? Shaking his head, Dodge tucks you under his chin and brings the bottle back up to his lips, "I'll never let anything happen to you. You know that, right," he murmurs and warmth spreads through your belly as you snuggle in closer, running your fingers through his hair and pressing a kiss to his jawline. Reaching across the table, Dodge brings your drink over in front of you and you snuggle your face into his shoulder, feeling safe and ready to see what else the night has in store for the two of you.
Every Thursday night at Anne’s house was movie night. Heather, Lily and Anne would make popcorn on the stove, stock up on m&m’s, gummy worms and apple slices (“we have to have something healthy,” Anne insists). Most of the time they let Lily choose the movie but on occasion Heather was able to choose.
It was how Heather always imagined a family would be and she never missed movie night. No matter how much studying needed to be done, no matter if that paper that was due the next morning at 8am still hadn’t been written, no matter how much Ray begged her to stay just one more hour with him in his bed.
She did not miss movie night.
That last one was getting harder and harder to resist. Curling up with Ray in bed was one of her current favorite activities. You wouldn’t know it from looking at him but Ray was a champion cuddler.
So, she did the next best thing. She invited him to movie night.
Ray laughed, “Right, Nill. As if Anne would allow me to trespass on her property.”
Heather tilted her head at that. As far as she knew Anne had never said such a thing. She knew Heather was dating Ray Hall. She knew who Ray Hall was. But Anne, unlike the rest of this town, didn't judge people so harshly. In fact, Anne usually gave people the benefit of the doubt. Like, her & Lily’s mom, Sherri. Anne encouraged Sherri to come over for nightly dinners as often as possible and invited her to movie nights. So far Sherri hadn’t found the time in her ‘busy schedule’ to attend. But she did come for dinner at least once a week. It was … something.
Instead of arguing with him she shoots Anne a text who immediately responds with “I’ve been waiting for you to bring him around. Tell him he can bring the candy and that he will be harshly judged on what he chooses.”
Ray's only response was a “Huh.” when she showed him the message.
But she laughs two nights later when it’s an hour before movie night and Ray calls her.
“Seriously, Nill, what the fuck do I buy?”
Heather laughs, “You saw what the boss said.”
“Heather.” she’s not sure she’s heard him sound so desperate before. “I’m standing in the candy aisle and there’s so many fucking choices. What the fuck are you looking at?” He shouts at someone in the store.
Heather just laughs at the mental image of Ray Hall standing in the middle of the candy aisle, “Ray, don’t hurt the clerk.”
“He keeps fucking asking if I need help. I do, but from you not him.”
“Baby, it’s no big deal, just grab a few bags of candy and get over here.”
“Heather.” He growls into the phone.
She smiles as she hangs up on him. Who knew he would take this so seriously. Who knew she would be having a family movie night with Ray Hall.
Her phone rings again and she answers without checking the ID, “Ray, it’s just movie night. Lily will eat anything as long as it has sugar.”
“Movie night with Ray huh?” A female voice says, “So that’s still happening?”
“Nat.” Heather’s happy to hear her friend's voice, “How are you? How’s Cali?”
“I’m good. It’s good.”
“Any auditions?” Heather sits on her bed and pulls a leg up, “What about the callback for that CW show, how did that go?”
Nat laughs, “So we’re just going to ignore the topic of you and Ray hooking up then? That’s fine. I like talking about myself.”
“Not ignoring.”
Nat hums into the phone, “So you two are still hooking up then?”
Heather hesitates. It’s not that she’s embarrassed about dating Ray, it’s just that her friends don’t understand. Can’t understand. Heather falls face first into her pillow with a grown and Nat laughs.
Turning over onto her back, Heather settles into her bed, “Yes, we’re still hooking up. He’s like really, really good at what he does.”
“Oh God, I do not want to hear about Ray Halls bedroom moves.”
Heather is the one laughing now, “Nope, you asked. So there’s this thing he does with his …”
“LA LA LA I’M NOT LISTENING!!”
Heather laughs harder at her friend and they continue to tease each other back and forth before they settle down.
“Look, I don’t get it. At all. But I trust that he must be doing something right … ish, if you’re still with him. Just please, promise me you’re being careful. Last thing we need in this world is little Ray Jr’s running around.
“Very.” Heather reassures her, “I do not want to end up like my mother.”
Nat goes quiet at that and Heather knows her friend takes that confession a little too seriously, “Heather, no matter what, I don’t believe you would ever be like her. Just look at Lily.”
Heather presses her lips together. A number of texts come through on her phone and when she looks she sees Ray is on his way.
“I have to go Nat, family movie night is about to start. But it was good talking to you. I want to hear about your auditions.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow sweet cheeks. Love ya.”
“Love you more.”
Heather opens the door and laughs. Ray is standing there with a shit eating grin on his face and a bag full of candy in each hand. And when she says full, she means overflowing, “Did you buy one of everything?” She asks as she steps back to let him in.
“Well, I didn’t get anything with raisins.” He winks at her as he passes, “I know your hate for them.”
And that actually makes her melt. The fact that he remembered such a small detail she had made in passing says so much about him. Nat may think she’s completely mad but she doesn’t see what Heather sees nearly every moment she’s with Ray.
Heather smacks a kiss on his cheek and squeezes his bicep, “I promise to never reveal your soft side to the world, Ray Hall.”
“Damn straight, you won’t.” But the grin he flashes at her is anything but a warning. It melts her insides completely and she wonders not for the first time, how she could have known him her entire life and yet not have known him at all.
And she wonders for the first time if she was falling in love with him.
That thought sends her spiraling and his smile falters as he notices her frown. Thankfully, Anne and Lily choose that exact moment to interrupt them. There’s chaos as Heather introduces everyone and they start to make their popcorn
“On the stove?” Ray questions.
“Trust me, Hall.” Heather teases, her early realization pushed into the back of her mind for later observation, “Once you have this, you’ll never want microwave again.”
“It’s the best!” Lily agrees then has Ray help her finish making it and it’s sweet the way he talks to her and Heather completely ignores her heart fluttering.
They get their popcorn and candy (Ray passes the candy test with flying colors) and settle in the living room. Lily puts herself between Heather and Ray on the couch, with Anne in the recliner and they turn on the movie. Some new Pixar movie that was just released on Disney + that Lily has been talking about for days.
“Well?” Heather asks as Ray takes his first taste of the popcorn.
He winks at her over Lily’s head, “It’s okay.”
Lily gasps, “Just okay?! It’s the best popcorn in the world!”
“The world, huh?” He teases her and they go back and forth like that until the actual movie starts. Heather is smiling at Ray when he finally turns back to her, his blue eyes dancing and she feels herself actually wanting to say the L word and she knows. She knows she’s not falling in love with him because she’s already there.
She loves Ray Hall.
And as he watches the movie with her family, teasing her sister about the popcorn, stealing her candy, and being respectful to Anne, she knows he loves her too.
“I don’t need to have a child to make myself feel like I am doing something worthy of my life, to give it meaning.
And besides. The chances of me meeting a woman I’d fall in love with seem to be becoming increasingly slimmer. And besides, besides. I was ready to choose him. And everything that went with it. He would have given my life enough meaning. Ten times over.”
—The Heart Rate of a Mouse: A Kingdom by the Sea, Chapter 2.
