by L A Cotton
“Does that mean you’re sticking around?” Grady yelled and I fought a smile.
“Well, you’ll be needing your star wide receiver, won’t you?”
“Hells yeah.” He grinned and the place erupted.
Jase and Ash were on me the second I leaped down off the bench. Jase grabbed the back of my neck and pressed his head to mine, his eyes saying everything I knew he never would. And then Ash joined us, his arms looped around both our necks, pulling us close. “Thank fuck, I don’t have to lose any more sleep over whose side I’m on.”
A moment of understanding passed between the three of us. We were on the precipice of something, we could all feel it. All we had was this moment before everything changed.
“Do you think you’ll commit when the scouts come out next week?” Ash asked and my eyes found Hailee standing with Felicity by the bar.
“Yeah, I’m going to commit.”
Football was a part of me, a part of who I was. And I owed it to myself, to my family to see where it took me.
“Well don’t keep us hanging. Where’s it going to be?”
“Michigan,” I said without hesitation. “I’m going to commit to Michigan.”
It was a rash decision, one I knew I’d need to talk to my parents about, not to mention Hailee. But life was precious, and I didn’t want to spend a minute wasting it. If things went south with Mom, I’d cross that bridge when it came. We still had nine months before college. A lot could change between now and then.
But here, in this moment, I wanted the dream.
I wanted football.
And the girl.
Epilogue
Hailee
“Oh my god, it’s so big.”
“I know something that’s big,” Asher turned around and flashed Flick a wicked grin.
“Asher, really.” She rolled her eyes at him before settling her gaze once more on the New York skyline as we crossed the bridge. Jason grunted, his eyes thinning as he focused on the road, but I brushed it off because Cameron was wrong.
He had to be wrong.
Flick didn’t like my step-brother—there was nothing to like.
“Are you excited?” Cameron’s lips brushed the shell of my ear, sending a trail of heat zipping through me. I clenched my legs together and his smooth chuckle washed over me.
“Yeah, I’ve always wanted to see a Reba exhibition. I can’t believe Kent managed to score us tickets.”
“You, tickets,” Jason said. “I told you already, I’m not going to some lame art show. Besides, Ash’s cousins are going to give us the tour, right?”
“What?” I asked, looking from him to Cameron and back again. “You didn’t say anything about Asher’s cousins.” This trip had officially been hijacked by my step-brother.
Fuck my life.
We might have found a temporary truce since everything with Cameron’s mom happened, but I was under no illusion it would last. Too much had happened between us. But for a rare weekend, our differences weren’t front and center. Cameron needed this weekend, we all did. And nothing was going to ruin it.
Not a damn thing.
Thirty minutes later, after battling the city traffic, we were finally in the hotel.
“Holy shit, Hails, I can’t believe it. Would you check out this view? I can see the Empire State Building.” Flick’s voice held a tinge of wonder as she beckoned me to the floor-to-ceiling window in our accommodation for the night.
The penthouse suite overlooking Fifth Avenue was ridiculous. But Flick had insisted I room with Cameron, so I couldn’t complain too much. Jason and Asher were sharing the other double room—with two king beds—and Flick had happily taken the twin.
“New York,” she sighed dreamily. “I still can’t believe it. And,”—my best friend leaned in, whispering—“I heard Asher tell Jason his cousins are taking us to a club. A club, Hails. I’m so freaking excited.”
My brows pinched as I tried to share her enthusiasm. “A club? I’m not sure—”
“Oh no you don’t, Hailee Raine. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Do you know how many kids from school would kill to be here right now? We are embracing this.”
“Let me guess,” I said. “It’s on your—”
“Ssh. Don’t let the guys hear. It’s bad enough Cameron overheard us before. I don’t want them thinking I’m...” Her voice trailed off as something caught her eye over my shoulder. I glanced back to find Jason and Asher watching us.
“Are you two going to stand there all fucking day or can we get out of here?”
“Can you at least try to be civil?” I asked Jason, but he merely grunted and went to the refrigerator.
“So, how are my two favorite ladies?” Asher approached us but I ducked before he could collar me. His arm went around Flick though. It was becoming quite the habit.
“This is so cool,” Flick beamed up at him. “I can’t believe your dad is letting us stay here.”
“Believe it, baby.” He grinned back. “But you ain’t seen nothing yet. My cousins know all the local hotspots.”
“Asher, I’m not sure—”
“Hails.” He levelled me a serious look. “One night. We have one night. Turn that frown upside down and get on the love train.”
“Love train, seriously?”
“It’s okay for you, you’ve got Chase to attend to… your needs.” His brows waggled. “The rest of us need to go hunting.”
“Asher.” Flick elbowed him in the ribs. “That’s gross.”
“Naw, baby. It’s simple biology. Unless you’re—”
“Is he bothering you?” Cameron came up behind me, looping his arm around me and pulling me back against his chest.
“Who, me?” Asher feigned surprise.
“What time is the exhibition?” Cameron brushed his lips over my ear.
“Not until two.”
“So, we have some time to explore?”
“Yes, yes we do.” Flick ducked out of Asher’s hold and grabbed his arm. “We should go. I want to see everything.”
“Of course you do,” Asher grumbled, trailing after her like a lap dog.
“This should be interesting,” I said as we followed them.
Me and Flick with my boyfriend, step-brother, and their best friend.
What could possibly go wrong?
“So, did you like it?” I asked Flick as we exited The Met. We’d cut the guys loose despite Cameron insisting he wanted to come. It was his trip too, and I didn’t want to monopolize all of his time. Besides, I knew if Cameron came, Asher would want to come, and there was no way I wanted him making a scene in one of the most prestigious museums in the country.
“I...” She hesitated. “You like it and that’s what’s important. And at least I can say I visited The Met now.”
“It was just so... inspiring. Her work is really something.”
“And I’d love to hear all about it sometime but,”—she pointed at the guys standing at the bottom of the steps—“Who the hell is that?”
Jason was talking to a girl, a very well dressed, very beautiful girl.
“I guess it’s Asher’s cousin.”
“He didn’t say she looked like a super model.” Flick grabbed my arm, pulling me toward them.
“I’m sure she’s nice, despite being related to Asher.”
“Hails, he's not that bad.”
“But he’s not boyfriend material either, right?”
She rolled her lips together.
“Flick?” I asked her again.
“I told you already, not interested. But it doesn’t hurt to have a little fun.”
“Hmm, I’m not sure Asher is the kind of guy you—”
“Fee get over here. I want to introduce you to Vaughn and Riley.”
“Come on, Hails. He wants to introduce us to his cousins.” She flashed me a playful grin, bouncing down the last few steps and sidling up to Asher as if they were the best of friends.
And it occurred to me, maybe tha
t’s where this strange thing they had going on was headed.
“Fee, Hails, this is my cousin Riley and his sister Vaughn.”
“Hey,” the guy said, his eyes running over Flick and then me. Cameron moved closer, whispering how much he’d missed me in my ear. Riley smirked. “She yours?”
“Actually, he’s mine,” I said, clasping Cameron’s hand in mine.
“Noted.” Riley’s smirk morphed into an easy smile. “And you?” He flicked his head to Flick who blushed deeply.
“Me? I’m, uh, I’m very much... single,” she croaked out.
“But you’ll be keeping your dirty paws off her.” Asher threw his arm around Riley and pulled him away.
“If I didn’t know better,” Vaughn said as she took off after them. “I’d say my cousin has a crush.”
“Hey, man, you okay?” Cameron asked Jason who was rooted to the spot, watching Vaughn’s retreating form.
“What? Yeah, I’m good.” He glared at Flick. “You know she’s joking, right? Ash doesn’t want you. He just likes playing with you.”
“I...” She snapped her mouth shut, embarrassment burning her cheeks.
“Jason don’t be such a dick,” I scolded.
“Yeah, man, come on. We only have one night,” Cameron added. “Let’s try to all get along.”
“Whatever,” he grumbled before stalking off after Asher and his cousins.
“Are you okay?” I asked Flick.
“Please, I’m fine.” She smiled but it was forced. “Come on, we should keep up with them.” Flick brushed past us and hurried after them.
“That was... weird.”
“Don’t worry about Jase,” Cameron said, “He’s just pissed his best friend is shacking up with his sister.”
“You make it sound so romantic.” I leaned up, pressing a kiss to his lips.
“Later,” Cameron breathed. “Later, I’m going to kiss every single inch of you.”
“Is that a promise?” My fingers twisted into his sweater, and he smiled.
“It is.”
“I look forward to it.” I stole another kiss. “Come on, before we lose them.”
“Wait.” He snagged my wrist. “What Asher said earlier, about the thing.”
“The thing?” I vaguely recalled Asher asking Cameron if he’d told me about the thing, but I’d been too busy taking in the view of the city.
“Yeah.” Cameron’s throat bobbed. “I decided where I’m committing to.”
My heart fluttered. “You did?”
“I did.”
“It’s okay,” I said over the lump in my throat. We hadn’t talked about it much, our relationship was new and I didn’t want to make any assumptions. “Wherever you go, we’ll make it work.”
“Good, because I chose Michigan.”
“Michigan... as in...”
A slow smile broke over his face as he nodded. “Is that okay?”
“You’re going to go to school in Michigan?”
“If you want—”
“I want.” I threw my arms around him. “I really want.”
“Thank fuck because I kind of already made a verbal commitment.”
I swatted his chest, hardly able to believe it. I’d known Cameron was looking at colleges again since his mom’s surgery went well. But deep down, I’d expected him to follow Jason to Penn, and although I hated the idea, I would have never stood in his way.
“Jason—” I started but he cut me off.
“Is important to me, but this was my decision to make, not his.”
And although he was almost six years too late, he’d finally chosen me.
Cameron
“What’s up with you?” I asked Jase as we looked out over the club. Hailee and Flick were dancing below in the middle of the crowded dance floor. She’d wanted me to go with them, but I wanted her to enjoy some time with her best friend, and I wanted to talk to mine.
“You’ve had a stick up your ass all night. Is it her?”
“Her?” He eyed me coolly, taking a long pull on his beer. I had thought we might have a problem getting into the club, but it turned out Asher’s cousins knew everyone and we’d all walked right in. It was pretty cool, even if I would have rather been back at the penthouse with Hailee. Alone and naked and buried so deep inside her I didn’t know where she began and I ended.
“You know who I’m talking about.” My gaze slid back to the girls as they laughed and danced, oblivious to all the guys staring at them with hunger in their eyes.
“You’re okay with that?” Jase flipped the tables on me. “With her down there while they watch? If she was mine—”
“Are you okay with it?” I countered, and he knew full well I didn’t mean his step-sister.
“What the fuck are you getting at?”
“You watch her, you know.” I fought a smirk. “When you think no one is looking, you watch her.”
He let out a strangled laugh. “I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about. The only girl I’ve got my sights set on tonight is Vaughn.”
“Really, man? She’s Asher’s cousin.”
“Didn’t stop you, did it?” He blew out a long breath and turned to lean against the balcony rail, giving the dance floor—and the girls—his back.
“I’m not doing this with you.”
“Doing what? I’m not doing anything.” His hard gaze flicked over me to Asher and his cousins. He looked hungry. Vicious. He looked like the Jase I knew before shit hit the fan.
I slammed my hand into his stomach as he stepped forward. “Don’t do this. You don’t need to prove anything. All you’re going to do is hurt her—”
“Hurt who?”
With a disapproving shake of my head, I let him go. Jase lived for his games but one day they would come around and bite him on the ass. And for as much as I didn’t want Felicity to get tangled up with him, maybe she was the girl to finally put him in his place.
“What’s his deal?” Asher joined me, running his eyes over the crowd below.
“Who, Jase? Just his usual bullshit.”
“He likes her, you know,” he said as if it was nothing. “He won’t ever admit it, but he does. She gets under his skin.”
I side-eyed him but he was too busy watching the dance floor... the girls.
Felicity.
He was watching Felicity.
“And what about you?” I asked, uncertain whether this was water I wanted to tread. “Does she get under your skin?”
He shrugged, playing it cool. But I saw the tightness around his jaw. He liked her. Fuck. “Doesn’t matter,” he said. “She’s not into me.”
“And she’s into Jase?”
“I’m not sure. She says she isn’t, but I catch her watching him sometimes with this look in her eye, and I’m pretty sure something happened with them the other week at my house.”
“What look?”
Asher expelled a shaky breath as he gripped the rail. “The look you used to give Hailee. The same look that says you want something even though you know it’s a really fucking bad idea.”
“It worked out for us, didn’t it?”
He laughed at that, but it was full of bitterness. “You’re the exception to the rule. Besides, you’re not a cruel bastard like Jase. He’d tear Fee apart with his teeth and then feast on her bones just because he could.” His jaw clenched. “And yet, my money says before the semester’s out she lets him fuck her.”
“Maybe she just needs to know there are other options on the table.” I gave him a hard look.
“Maybe.” Something flashed over his face, but he quickly schooled it. “Are we going down there before some stuck-up city suit steals your girl right out from under your nose?”
My eyes zeroed in on Hailee again. Asher was right, two guys were moving in on them. “Let’s go,” I said, draining my beer and slamming it on the ledge.
We made our way downstairs, weaving through the sea of bodies. I instantly locked eyes with the fucker watching H
ailee. His eyes widened and then narrowed when I stepped up behind her, sliding my arm around her waist.
“Hey,” she mouthed over her shoulder at me.
“I missed you.” I kissed the tip of her nose before tangling our hands together and resting them on her stomach. The guy sneered before stalking off. I glanced over at Asher who threw me an amused smirk as he pulled Flick into his arms. She went willingly, a sloppy smile plastered on her face.
“How drunk is Felicity?” I asked Hailee as she rolled her hips against me, sending a trail of electricity zipping through me.
“Asher will look after her,” she yelled over the music.
That was precisely what I was worried about.
“I’m not sure—” Hailee spun in my arms, slamming her mouth to mine. My hands slid down her back, finding the curve of her ass. She looked like sin in the skin-tight black sweater dress and kitten heels that made her legs appear longer.
Our tongues swirled together, slow lazy licks, mirroring the way our bodies moved. I didn’t make a habit of dancing, but for Hailee I’d walk over hot coals. There was something magnetic about her. And I was completely powerless against her charms.
“Take me home, Cameron,” she moaned against my lips. “I need you.”
Fuck.
I wanted to throw her over my shoulder and get the hell out of here, but the night was still young and there was Felicity and my friends to consider. Although she and Asher looked more than at home wrapped in each other’s arms.
“Later,” I said, stealing another kiss. “Felicity wanted to make the most of the night.”
Hailee’s eyes darkened as she gazed up at me. “I love you.” She fought a smile. “I love you so much.”
I pulled her close, emotion punching my stomach. Hailee wrapped her arms around my waist and held on tight as we swayed, dancing to our own beat.
Only weeks ago, my future had been uncertain, a black cloud hanging over me, blotting out all the light. But now I had everything I ever wanted. I had the team, and State was within our grasp. Mom was doing as well as could be expected given the circumstances. And I had a girl who loved me unconditionally.