Never Date a Genius

Chapter 47: Finally

Here's the next chapter.  Don't forget to vote and comment.
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The gym was a whirlwind of noise, cheering fans, camera flashes popping like fireworks, and the excited shouts of Mason's teammates teasing from the sidelines. Yet amidst the chaos, Mason's focus was singular..
Sophie.

He reached her side and without a word, took her hand gently, guiding her away from the blinding barrage of lights, towards a wall. His back covering her. "Come here," he murmured, voice low but steady.

Stepping in front of her, he shielded Sophie with his broad frame. The relentless flashes continued, but behind Mason's protective stance, Sophie felt wrapped in a bubble of calm and safety.

His eyes searched hers, soft and searching. "You okay?"

Sophie nodded, leaning into his side. The roar of the crowd faded into a distant hum as their worlds shrank to just the two of them.

Mason's fingers traced the line of her jaw, then brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You know... it's always been you, G. From when we were kids, while you were buried in your science books, and I was chasing after a basketball, hoping not to trip."

She smiled, warm and nostalgic. "And I remember how you'd tease me for being such a 'bookworm' while you acted like basketball was the only thing that mattered."

He laughed softly. "Some things never change. I will still tease you at every turn."

Their eyes locked, filled with unspoken feelings, longing, and the weight of everything that had passed between them.

Then, slowly, Mason leaned down, brushing his forehead against hers. "I love you, G. Please don't ever leave me. I don't want to lose you again," he whispered, his voice trembling with raw emotion. "Not ever."

Sophie's breath hitched. Her heart pounded in her chest like a drum, matching his own. " I love you, Mace. I’m never letting go."

Without breaking eye contact, Mason's hand moved to cradle the back of her neck. His other hand tightened around hers as if grounding himself in her presence.

Their lips met, tentative at first, like a whisper in the dark.

But the seconds stretched, tension melting into something deeper, more desperate and more passionate. The kiss grew, slow and searching, filled with the ache of fear and uncertainty but mostly of love.

Sophie's fingers curled into his jersey, pulling him closer as if to make sure he was real.

Mason's arms wrapped around her, holding her as if the world could crumble around them but this moment was theirs to claim.

Suddenly, a shout rang out.

"Hey, Mace, we're still here,  you know!" Chris called, laughter lacing his voice.

"Yeah, don't hog all the drama now," another teammate teased, grinning from ear to ear.

Yasmin laughed, waving her hands in mock warning. "Keep it PG, you two!"

Mason pulled back slightly, cheeks flushed but smiling. "Shut up, all of you."

Sophie laughed softly, brushing a hand along his arm. "We should stop."

"Yes, please, you're making us jealous," Chris said, winking. "When are you finally going to ask her out for real!"

Mason shook his head, still holding Sophie's hand. "I should never date a genius but what can I do, She's been mine since forever."

The teasing continued, playful and warm, but Mason barely heard it. His eyes were locked on Sophie's, full of relief and promise.

When they finally pulled apart, breathless and flushed, the crowd's roar crept back in, but Mason only saw Sophie, her eyes shining with tears and unspoken promises.

His voice broke as he murmured, "It's always been you, G. Always."

And in that instant, beneath the blinding lights and teasing shouts from his teammates, Mason Taylor let down every wall because for the first time in forever, he knew exactly where he belonged.

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I have a few more chapters with Mace and Sophie, but I have an alternate ending but this time with Jason but it takes off after the scene where Jason struggles if he gave up too early. I wonder if anyone is interested in reading it.