The Trouble With You

by L A Cotton

  “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 that’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 Hailee. 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.

  I was a lucky son of a bitch. But if the last few weeks had taught me anything, it was not to take anything for granted.

  And I intended on making the most of my life—starting with the girl in my arms.

  Hailee

  “Where are you going?” Cameron murmured, his hand reaching for me as I tried to untangle myself from the sheets.

  “Water,” I said. “I need water.” The air was different in New York. Thick and humid, it clung to your skin and made your lungs tight.

  “Get me a bottle.”

  “Okay.” I trailed my fingers over his jaw, heat flooding me as I remembered how intense it had been between us when we got back to the penthouse.

  Pulling on Cameron’s shirt, I quickly buttoned it up just in case anyone was still awake, although given the state of Jason, Flick, Asher, and his cousins last night, I doubted anyone would be.

  Padding quietly into the hall, I hurried to the kitchen and got two bottles of water out of the refrigerator, pausing when I heard a noise. My heart leaped into my throat and I silently chastised myself. It was probably just someone snoring. But as I tiptoed back into the hall, I heard it again. A gentle creak. A muffled moan. My eyes strained against the darkness to find the source of the noise, only to be met with closed door after closed door. Until my eyes landed on the bedroom Flick had taken. The door was slightly ajar. She’d drunk a lot last night. Maybe she was sick? I hurried to her door, pausing outside. A muted sob pierced the air and I stepped into the room. “Flick, are you—”

  A naked ass greeted me.

  Jason’s naked ass as he thrust into my friend.

  “Oh my god,” I breathed just as Flick’s eyes snapped to mine over his shoulder.

  “Hails,” she cried, eyes wide with surprise and hazy with lust. Her body closed in on itself as Jason cussed under his breath, before rolling off my best friend.

  My best friend.

  ... and my step-brother.

  Together.

  I turned on my heel and got the hell out of there. Cameron had been right. Something was going on.

  Something between the two of them.

  One of the people I loved most in the world.

  And one of the people I hated most.

  Life had just got a whole lot more complicated.

  Thank you so much for reading The Trouble With You.

  * * *

  Jason’s book, The Game You Play, is coming later this summer. You can pre-order your copy now.

  * * *

  If you’d like to find out all the Rixon Raiders news first, join the spoiler group here

  Somebody That I Used To Know – Goyte, Kimbra

  Whatever It Takes – Imagine Dragons

  Hard Feelings/Loveless – Lorde

  Hell To The Liars – London Grammar

  War Of Hearts – Ruelle

  Where’s My Love – SYML

  Runnin’ (Lose It All) Sofia Karlberg

  Love To Hate It – Off Bloom

  All We Do – Oh Wonder

  All The Stars – Kendrick Lamar, SZA

  Ready For War – Tommee Proffit, Liv Ash

  Irrestible – Fall Out Boy ft. Demi Levato

  My Motto – Jade Bird

  I Hate You, I Love You – Gnash, Olivia O’Brien

  I Can’t Make You Love Me – SOAK

  Mercy – Lewis Capaldi

  Water Under The Bridge – Adele

  Crazy In Love – Sofia Karlberg

  Send Them Off! – Bastille

  Can’t Hold Us Down – Tommee Proffit, Sam Tinnesz

  Sometimes wrong
feels so right... When seventeen-year-old Eloise Stone finds herself halfway across the world, moving into her uncle's pool house, she expects things to be ... awkward. She doesn't expect to come face-to-face with the boy from last summer. The boy that made her feel things she'd never felt before. But a year is a long time, and Lo isn't the girl she was then. Besides, they're family now.

  * * *

  It's weird.

  * * *

  Maverick Prince acts as if he doesn't remember her, treating Lo like nothing more than an annoying younger sister, and not in a 'he cares' way, just in a 'he's an arsehole' way. One thing's for sure, he isn't just dangerous for her sanity--he's hazardous for her heart.

  * * *

  Lo thought moving to Wicked Bay was the worst of her problems, but as life begins to unravel around her, she's going to find out it's only the beginning...

  AVAILABLE NOW ON ALL MAJOR PLATFORMS

  This book was never supposed to exist. I had some ‘free’ time and I wanted to write something brand new. Four weeks and ninety-six thousand words later, Hailee and Cam’s story was done. I don’t think any other story has poured out of me the way this did. Initially, I intended on it being a bully romance. Something darker than I’m used to writing but Cam (oh, Cameron) had other ideas. You see, I don’t guide my characters, they guide me and, well, here we are. But for those of you who wanted a little more asshole with their leading guy, fear not, I think Jason will have that in spades in The Game You Play (coming later this year).

  * * *

  As any author will tell you, writing a story takes only one person, but publishing needs a village. And I have a whole heap of people to thank.

  * * *

  First up, my editor, Andie. I honestly don’t know what I would do without your words of encouragement, virtual slaps, and much needed hugs. I know I’m a hot mess at times but too bad, you’re stuck with me!