RUSH

Ch. 9: Jealousy, Jealousy

-Mason-

I slipped on my shirt with shaky hands, releasing a weak chuckle as the strangers' words echoed around me. I couldn't even make sense of what he was saying, my mind still furiously reeling from what had just transpired a few rows over.

A part of me was urgently aching to head back and take care of Bennett, while the other was dazedly running in circles, trying to compute how I'd managed to maintain my composure despite feeling him so close. I had received no warning... there had been no time to prepare.

I'd nearly short-circuited as Bennett's warm breath grazed against my face and his panicked hands groped my chest in a feeble attempt to push himself off me. All I could do was stare up at him in disbelief as he hopelessly tried to scramble to his feet, our legs clashing against each other as he struggled above me. I desperately held back the desire to wrap my arms around him, only coming to my senses when I realized how horrified he truly seemed by the ordeal.

My skin felt too tight and taut against my body, every fiber of my being buzzing in earnest. I was surprised no weird noises had left my lips, even if I'd been unable to help myself from making a shitty, inappropriate joke at Bennett's expense.

"No, seriously... what a freak," the stranger suddenly called out while zipping up his jeans. And I chuckled out of politeness once more, only stopping dead in my tracks when I processed what he'd said.

"What the fuck did you just say?" I hissed under my breath, turning to glare at the shirtless man.

The stranger immediately shut up, his eyes widening in bewilderment before he excused himself. I considered stalking forward when he refused to make eye contact, only halting once I remembered that I'd promised Bennett to hurry back.

"Lucky bastard," I murmured while patting my shorts to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything. "It's not worth it," I reminded myself as I pulled my duffel bag out of the locker with a groan and draped the strap over my shoulder, slamming the metal locker door shut before heading back down the row of lockers. As I turned the corner, I found Bennett sitting right where I'd left him, looking unacceptably unattended.

I rubbed at my chest, trying to ignore the sudden twinge that developed at the sight of him all by himself, looking unsurprisingly distraught. Would he judge me if I suddenly pulled him into my arms and carried him out of here?

Most likely.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" I breathed out, sitting down beside him with the uttermost feigned expression of nonchalance I could muster. Bennett didn't even seem to notice how much I was coming apart at the seams, especially when the poor kid looked seconds away from tearing up.

Not that he'd get very far with that sprained ankle of his.

I frowned at the sudden silence, leaning forward to shoot him a questioning glance. I grimaced once I caught a good look at his face, a glint of disgruntlement present in his expressive, brown eyes... and it was so very clearly directed at me. I caught myself sulking as I tore my gaze away and tried to even out my expression as much as possible, but his sudden, unexpected disinterest sweltered like a burn.

Or perhaps I just hadn't noticed it until now? "Are you feeling any better?" I tried quietly; my voice was gentler this time; hopefully, it came across as welcoming.

Bennett didn't respond right away, merely nodding in agreement before flashing me a polite smile. It was the impersonal kind I'd seen him put on for other gym members while walking past them.