Settling The Score

Part 17

I laid sprawled out on my back, my bedcover discarded on the other side of the bed. My messy hair was halfway across my face and halfway spread across the pillow. The glow-in-the-dark stars on my ceiling that my dad and I put up when I was seven, were my only company.

Today's events were replaying in my head in an endless loop, keeping the much-wanted sleep away.

The sound of my phone vibrating, jerked me abruptly from my overactive thoughts.

Mason Hayes (that irritating guy) : Laying awake thinking about me, Carebear? ;)

Me: No.

I was absolutely laying awake thinking about him.

Mason Hayes (that irritating guy) : Ooh, busted! If it helps, I was thinking about you too.

Me: I have no doubt. Spare me the inappropriate details.

By the way, where did you get my number?

Mason Hayes (that irritating guy) :
Lucy :) It would seem my sister ships us, Carebear.

I rolled my eyes and tossed my phone to the other side of my bed. Not a moment later, it vibrated again. Sighing, I picked it up.

Mason Hayes (that irritating guy) :
Ignoring your urges won't make them go away, Carebear.

Mason Hayes (that irritating guy) :
I figured you wouldn't be the one calling me, so I got your number so I could call you. :)

And the next moment, his name flashed on my screen.

"It's twelve o'clock at night, Mason," I croaked, rubbing my eye.

"But, you weren't sleeping were you?" he asked, his voice as velvety smooth as usual.

"No," I admitted. 

"So you were thinking about me. I really am a catch, aren't I?" he boasted.

"Too bad I can't throw you back," I mumbled.

Sighing, I held my phone with my shoulder as I popped a painkiller into my mouth. My head was killing me.

"Is there any particular reason you're calling me at this ungodly hour?" I asked flatly.

"Nope. Just having trouble sleeping, thought I'd annoy my Carebear some more. Maybe throw in some sexy talk with her while I'm at it."

I choked on my water. "You must be on something if you thought that was even remotely possible," I quipped, as I let my head fall down on my pillow.

I didn't miss the part where he called me his Carebear. Or the jolt it sent coursing through me, but decided not to correct him.

"It was worth a try," he chuckled melodically. I would have thought talking to him over the phone wouldn't get my heart raising like talking to him in person did. 

I guess I was wrong.

Of course, his deep, lyrical voice might have had something to do with it. I was pretty sure I sounded like a bloated frog at that moment.

"You definitely get extra brownie points for not giving up," I informed while I played with my fingers. "So how was your time with the guys?" I asked.

"Ah, you know, the usual. Joking around, talking about girls, stuff like that."

I noticed a slight edge to his voice and wondered if I was one of those girls they talked about. But, I kept myself from asking him about it.