Chapter six

The three girls were on their way to the gym when two other girls passed by, chatting excitedly about a party happening the next night.

Apparently, the event was going to be hosted at Jason’s household.

Ava stopped in her tracks and glanced at Sophia. When did Sophia plan a party without telling her?

Sophia looked just as surprised, turning to Ava and Taylor. "Don't look at me, I have no idea. This has Mason written all over it. Mom and Dad are going to freak out," she muttered.

Ava suddenly remembered that Sophia’s parents had plans to meet some old friends out of town for dinner. They wouldn’t be back until the following morning.

Mason must have seen it as the perfect chance to throw a secret party while the house was empty.

It was obvious he hadn’t learned his lesson from the last time.

Mr. Jason had been furious back then and made Mason clean the entire house by himself.

He even had him mowing the lawn and trimming the plants as punishment.

Taylor scoffed. “How is it that everyone knows there’s a party at your place, and you’re completely clueless about it?”

Sophia's face twisted into a scowl. “Because the so-called host is my pain-in-the-ass brother. And there’s no way that party is happening while I’m around,” she said firmly.

Ava wasn’t convinced Sophia could stop it; after all, this was Mason they were dealing with.

The guy wasn’t exactly the type to be convinced into doing anything he wasn’t interested in.

And Ava had a feeling he wouldn’t be eager to cancel that party either.

Still, instead of saying that out loud, Ava stayed quiet, and the three girls continued to the gym, where they were meant to have P.E.

Even though they were cheerleaders, it was something they always dreaded.

When they walked into the gym, they saw a few guys from the football team already hanging around. Mason was among them, casually shooting hoops.

The boys were playing basketball while they waited for the coach, and the girls sat up on the bleachers, watching the shirtless players below. There was plenty of giggling and swooning.

Ava rolled her eyes. Those boys knew exactly what they were doing. Especially Mason, who was busy sending winks toward the girls.

Typical flirt.

Sophia spotted her brother and stormed toward him, her face tight with frustration and irritation.

Taylor and Ava exchanged a look before hurrying to follow behind her.

Mason's closest friend, Luke, noticed Sophia heading their way and gave Mason a subtle nudge.

Mason, catching the signal, turned to see who Luke was referring to.

The moment he spotted his twin sister charging over with her two best friends in tow, he rolled his eyes in annoyance.

His gaze met hers for a split second before he quickly looked away, already bracing for the confrontation.

His gaze lingered on Ava for a moment before quickly darting away the instant their eyes met. Her striking blue eyes had caught him off guard.

“What do you want now, Sophia?” Mason muttered as he tossed the basketball into the hoop.

It swooshed cleanly through, and one of the guys snagged it before it could bounce off the court.

"You little jerk. Just wait until Mom and Dad hear about this secret party you’re planning for tomorrow while they’re out!" Sophia snapped, jabbing an accusing finger at her brother, who looked completely unfazed.

"Seriously? You’re going to rat out your own brother, Sophia?" Mason teased with a smirk.

"Or are you finally going to drop the good-girl act and enjoy a real party for once?" His eyes sparkled with playful mischief as he spoke.

Sophia, not wanting to come off as the one who backed down, scoffed.

“Fine. Looks like we’re going to that party tomorrow night, aren’t we girls?”

She glanced at Ava and Taylor standing on either side of her.

Ava wasn’t a fan of parties, but considering it was at Sophia's house, maybe she could handle it for a little while.

So she gave a small nod, and Taylor followed suit.

Sophia gave the boys a smug grin. “I’ll show you clowns what a real party looks like.”

Mason snorted and Luke let out a laugh, clearly pleased that Sophia had taken the bait.

“Oh, and Mason,” Sophia added with a sharp edge, “once you’re done entertaining your groupies, send them my way. I’m done being their therapist after you screw them over.”

“Next time your little flings come crying with their broken hearts, don’t send them my way. I’m done comforting those girls you sleep with and toss aside. Maybe try keeping it zipped.”

Sophia scoffed, giving her brother a look filled with disgust.

Mason responded only by rolling his eyes and releasing an annoyed sigh.

Sophia shot her brother a sharp glare, clearly frustrated with his lack of reaction.

Before the tension between the twins could escalate, Ava quickly jumped in to lighten the mood. “Come on, Sophia, let’s get away from these guys before we catch something just standing near John.”

She deliberately emphasized the nameJohn, fully aware of how much Mason despised it.

Sophia scowled, gripping her best friend’s hand tightly.

Ava's sharp remark made Mason’s jaw tighten, his eyes narrowing dangerously at the pretty girl. “Careful with your mouth,” he warned.

Ava didn’t flinch; instead, she smirked and replied coolly, “Careful about what? And what exactly will you do if I don’t?”

So much for diffusing the situation, her words only fueled the tension further.

Mason's gaze burned into her, intense and unwavering.

Plenty of thoughts crossed his mind, but none of them were appropriate for someone as uptight as her.

In the end, he settled for a glare.

Recognizing her small victory, Ava's lips curled into a smug smile as she grabbed Sophia's hand, pulling her along while Taylor laughed beside them.

But just before they could leave, one of the guys called out her name. She turned and realized it was Stephan, at least the one she was certain of.

Ava spun around when she heard her name, only to find Stephan calling out. Of the three boys, he was the only one she could somewhat tolerate.

“Stephan.” She gave a small nod in acknowledgment before turning back to continue toward the bleachers.

Mason stood rigid, simmering in silence, his glare locking onto Stephan, who lifted a questioning brow.

“What, man? I only called her name. It’s not my fault she outsmarted you in that argument.” Stephan let out a short laugh.

What Stephan didn’t realize was that Mason's anger had nothing to do with losing the little spat with Ava.

What really set him off was the way Stephan's gaze shamelessly lingered on her curves. Mason wanted nothing more than to rip his eyes out for it.

Clenching his jaws, he told the boy with the ball to throw it over.

He couldn't believe he was about to do something so malicious to one of his closest friends.