“Aww, you look so cute!”
She has Chase and Brady’s numbers written on her cheeks in eyeliner, and Mason’s painted on her white T-shirt, in big bold, blue glitter paint. She’s got her famous Cam daisy dukes on and strappy gold gladiator sandals. Her blonde hair is up with big curls in it. She’s adorable.
“Wait, wait!” She spins and the number four is written along the back. She peeks at me over her shoulder. “Had to rep Trey, too.”
We laugh and she turns to the long mirror hanging on the back of the door, rolling her eyes when I tug it open.
“Good thinking. Now let’s go.” I nudge her into the hall, and we make our way to the elevator.
Inside, Cam looks me over. “You could have worn Mason’s practice jersey or something.”
I scowl at her reflection in the standard silver doors. “I’m wearing an Avix football shirt.”
“Yeah, with joggers and your old dog-walking Uggs.”
“Don’t start.”
She tightens her ponytail. “I take it you’re not going to party with us after?”
“No.”
She growls. Literally. And whips around to face me. “I swear to Jesus, Arianna Johnson—”
The door pops open and I shush her, but she flips me off.
“Don’t shush me, get a grip and come out!” she hisses, but her pout slips as does the slouch of her shoulders. “Chase will be there, so what?! Big freakin’ deal!”
Panicked, I look around, taking in the curious glances we’re getting as we walk through the common area. “Cameron, stop.”
Her eyes flash. “Fuck these gossipy bitches. Like I care.”
I jump forward, planting my feet in front of her. “I care, all right? I don’t need people to know my business!”
“What business would that be, ‘cause the way I see it, you have none!”
“Would you stop and process this for a minute. Do you really think I want to go watch girls throw themselves at Chase—a football player, in a football house, after the first home football game of the year?” My brows rise.
Her eyes fall.
“I want to go watch my brother and my friends play, that’s it. Find someone else to sit with or get over it.”
“Whatever.” She purses her lips, studies me for a moment, then stomps past me. “But for the record, I’m not going to stop asking you to come out, so you can get over that.”
A grin slips over my face, and I step through the door she holds open for me, a big, fake smile on her rosy lips.
Only once we’re through the gate and taking our seats in the stadium, do I turn to Cameron.
“For the record, I don’t want you to stop asking.”
She glares, but a glaze falls over her eyes and she nods, reaching out to squeeze my hand. “You’re just… I’m worried, you know?”
I swallow past the knot in my throat. “I know.”
She sniffles and straightens her spine. “Okay, so think we can convince those guys over there to buy us beer?”
We laugh and face forward.
Twenty minutes later, the crowd is roaring, the stadium packed full of blue and gold.
It looks like half of the student body made it out tonight to catch the opening game of the season.
It’s a little bittersweet to look around, knowing none of our families are here, something the boys have never experienced before. There wasn’t a single game as kids where at least one parent wasn’t in attendance, and ninety-five percent of the time, both were. We were lucky like that.
They were always there for us, so the moment we got to campus, they took off to travel through Europe, something they’ve been planning and saving for the last four years. As soon as Brady’s dad was given the okay to take the leave, they put everything in motion. Once my parents knew Kenra was okay, they left, but I have no doubt they’re huddled around a TV or computer right now, wherever they are, watching.
The very first play of the game is a wicked fifty-yard pass, the kind that gives you chills as you trail the perfect spiral, and your entire body lights up when it falls effortlessly into the waiting hands of an Avix U receiver. It only gets more exciting from there.
The air is electric, the crowd passionate, and the team feeds off the hype.
It’s exactly what I needed, a bit of normal. Game nights have always been a favorite of mine.
Time flies as we stand, shouting and cheering under an entirely new set of Saturday night lights.
Being the beast he is, Brady’s lucky enough to be in for the majority of the game, while Chase and Mason had most of their playing time in the third and fourth quarter. Chase didn’t get to touch the ball, but he laid some good blocks, and while Mason didn’t get to show off his arm, his hand off in the backfield was on point, his footwork even better.
My brother has always been slick on his feet and from the few minutes he was on the turf today, it’s obvious he’s only gotten better.
But the timeclock is almost out and the starters are back on the field now, nearly the entire stadium on their feet as we watch, waiting to see what the play call will be.
It’s a quarterback keeper, and the man wearing the number nineteen steps and jukes past a corner, who threatens to take him down, spins off the shoulder pads of the second defender, and the crowd erupts, chills breaking out over my arms as I push onto my toes in time to watch as he leaps over a swarm of determined Sharks, who drive the defending team into the backfield.
The buzzer sounds right as the quarterback jumps to his feet in celebration, and it’s touchdown number four. Avix University takes the win with a one-point lead in the last five seconds of the game.
Cam and I jump up and down with the rest of the crowd, hugging and cheering.
Tears fill my eyes, and I pull my lips in. This is a day Mason, Brady, and Chase will never forget. Hell, I’ll never forget it. They worked so hard to get here, and I’m so proud of all three. I can’t wait for them to earn more time on the field.
Cam squeals, pulling me alongside her through the crowded tunnel. “That was so cool, Ari!” She high fives a random group of guys that run by chanting in playful drunkenness. Laughing, she turns back to me, her tan cheeks flushed with excitement. “You have to wait with me and congratulate them!”
“I am.” I smile, but even I realize my nod is a little overeager.
She squeezes my arm. “You got this, sister.”
“Yeah.” I inhale deeply.
Maybe.
It’s a good forty minutes before the team begins to file out from the stadium tunnels and the tailgaters erupt in cheers once more. Our boys’ smiles can’t get any wider as they glance around at the madness they didn’t get to see on their way in. Still, through the roar of the crowd and beyond the half-naked girls, they spot us perched against the light post and make a beeline right for us.
My smile’s uncontainable. I push off the cement pole and throw my arms around Brady’s neck when he comes at me full speed. He picks me up and whirls me around, laughing into my neck.
“How’d you like that, Ari baby?!” he shouts, laying one on my cheek and then trades me out for Cameron.
My brother steps up, wrapping me in his arms with a laugh. He shakes me. “I can’t even tell you what that felt like.”
I pull back and look at Mason’s smiling face. We’ve talked about this day since we were seven and he started youth football. This is the beginning of something big for my twin, and I can’t help but tear up over it.
“Stop it.” He laughs, shoving me lightly. “God, you’re just like Mom, cry baby,” he teases.
I laugh through my sob. “Yeah, well. I’m proud of you guys.”
Mason’s face softens and I know what he doesn’t have to say. Having me here with him at Avix means the world to him. He might be bossy and moody, but like me, my brother needs family and people he cares about nearby. He does about as well as I do alone, which is probably why it’s taking me longer than it should to wake up from my self-pity s
tage, because I’ve been pushing my family and friends away instead of taking comfort in the fact that they’re here for me. If only I’d allow them to be.
And they would be, but like I said, I won’t drive a wedge between my family. I’ll deal with it alone so that they don’t have to feel the void that comes with it.
A hand hesitantly brushes along my lower back to gain my attention, and I glance over my shoulder, my breath lodging in my throat as my eyes meet moss-green ones.
Chase.
His smile is small, cautious, and it’s heartbreaking.
My shoulders fall and I step from my brother’s embrace, turning to him.
He breathes a sigh of relief when I force myself to hug him as I did the others.
His heavy inhale has my ribs constricting, and I swallow the emotions threatening to give me away. “You did awesome tonight, Chase.” I whisper. “I’m so happy for you.”
I squeeze my eyes shut, hoping he lets go soon, unsure if I’ll be able to.
His arms fall from my body with ease.
Why wouldn’t they?
Chase clears his throat as he steps back, smiling with uncertainty. An apology lurks behind his lashes, and I hate it. I don’t want his apology or guilt or anything else relatively related to regret, so I do my best to pretend I don’t realize he’s silently begging for forgiveness and understanding.
“How did it feel?” I ask, my insides churning, trying to block out the pathetic girl conversations I made up in my head for this exact moment.
God, how different those went.
We were lying on the couch while he ran his hands through my hair, whispering, replaying the images of his first college game, a night that will forever be stamped into his memory.
A memory I won’t be a part of, because it’s not my pillows he’ll be lying on tonight.
Why am I such a girl?
“It’s kind of surreal.” Chase’s eyes light up, creating a strain behind my own. “It was crazy out there. Those guys were massive.”
“You’re telling me, they looked like a team full of Brady’s!” Cam laughs, hopping onto Brady’s back.
Mason grins, glancing around. “I guess everyone’s getting ready to head out.” He turns to me, his smile flipping to a frown when he looks at my pants. “You’re not coming again.” His tone is accusatory.
I shrug, looking anywhere but him. “Not tonight.”
My brother waits for me to peek up and then pointedly flicks his eyes to Chase, who is chatting with Cam now, all to bring them right back to me.
I hold his gaze but give him nothing.
After a moment, he blows out a frustrated breath. “I’ll walk you back.”
“Our dorm has a group walk, they’re at the left gate, but I have to get over there because they leave in ten minutes.”
His eyes narrow. “Fine, but text me when you get home. Forget and I’ll be bangin’ on your door.”
“I won’t forget.” My lips twitch, and I look to the others once more. “Good job tonight, guys. I’ll see you—”
“Tomorrow.” Brady pins me with a pointed look. “Dinner.”
“Right.” I nod. “Bye.”
I rush away, joining the buddy walk back as promised.
Along the way I battle my brain.
I curse myself, wishing to wake up tomorrow morning and everything be back to normal, while simultaneously begging for a stroke of genius that leads to an excuse my brother will buy when I tell him I won’t be joining them for dinner tomorrow. Again.
But when I drop onto my bed, alone in my dorm while my friends are out celebrating this milestone that’ll never repeat itself, I remember the promise I made to Cam.
I remember the reason our families gave us a beach house and the purpose of us all working hard to make sure we could end up at the same college.
My feelings don’t get to take all that away.
So I’m going to suck it up, get up and go out.
Starting after tomorrow’s dinner.
Chapter 12
Arianna
* * *
The following week goes by in a blur, and before I know it, the weekend has arrived once again, but this time, I’m pre-prepared for Cam and her grilling.
The slamming of the front door has me scurrying from the bathroom so fast that I slip, but I dart a hand out just in time to keep me from hitting the floor. Once I’m back to standing upright, it takes all I’ve got to keep from laughing.
Quickly tightening my robe around my waist, I ease my way into the living room and lower onto the couch, while Cam hastily shoves shit into the fridge.
“Hey!” Cam shouts, hearing me enter. “I ran into the little store on campus, paid a million dollars, but got stuff for breakfast, figured we’d camp out on the couch all day tomorrow, brunch it up.”
She doesn’t wait for a response as she dashes past me without a glance, rushing into her bedroom. Her closet door hits the frame, and the click of hangers has my knee bouncing. Not a minute later, she’s moving toward the bathroom in her bra and underwear, a coral dress half over her head, muffling her words behind the stretchy material as she tries to tug it on.
I knew she was coming home before she headed out for the night; she had told me so after tonight’s game. I had decided not to hang around to congratulate the guys this time, opting for a text in our group thread instead, and came home with the dorm crew again while she found a few friends from her classes to wait with.
Cam slips out of her room a few seconds later, and falls onto the couch beside me, shoving her feet into a pair of gold wedges. “So, I’m meeting Trey tonight for drinks at Screwed Over Rocks, it should be fun…” She throws me a hint but doesn’t look up.
“I’m sure it will be. You always seem to have a good time with him.”
“Yeah.” She pulls on the left wedge. “I guess the team’s having a little party at the house, but he’s not feeling it so…”
I bite back a grin. “Yeah, Mason texted me a few minutes ago letting me know.”
“Oh.” Cam pushes to her feet, her annoyance clear as she stomps toward the door.
I almost get nervous, but my friend doesn’t fail me, she never has. Never will.
She pauses the moment her hand wraps around the knob, her shoulders falling. “You could come, Ari. Chase won’t be there.”
Finally, Cameron looks over at me, her downcast eyes meeting mine. It only takes half a second, and then she’s whipping around with a frown. “What the fuck?”
I bust up laughing and literally hop up on the cushions as I tear my robe wide open.
Her hands shoot up.
“Hold up, are you… what are you doing?” She takes in my made-up face, commercial worthy curls, and slinky, mid-thigh plum dress, the one she picked out for me the last time we went shopping.
“What am I doing?” I jump over the side of the couch, slipping my feet into the heels I put at the edge of it, and smile. “I’m going to get drunk with my best friend.”
“Yeah?” she whispers, her eyes growing glossy.
I could punch myself for it, but instead, I bite back my own emotions and nod. “Yeah.”
Cameron squeals, tackles me, and then we’re both falling back onto the couch.
Once we’re standing again, she sighs, and then smacks me with her wristlet.
“Never again, Arianna Johnson. I will fuck you up if you even try.” She glares, but her eyes are full of unshed tears, and her voice drops ten octaves. “You were scaring me.”
“I know. I know. I’m sorry. I still need to get my head straight, but right now, I need to have some fun more.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying. Get out of your head.”
I link my arm through hers. “Think you can help me with that, bestie?”
“Oh, hells yeah!” She smiles, tugging me forward.
With that, we’re out… but not before pausing at the counter for a quick pre-party shot.
Screwed Over Rocks is a student bar
a few blocks up from campus, and from what they told us at orientation, they’re sticklers about the drinking age, but looking around, I’m pretty sure it’s a ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ operation when it comes to fake IDs. Meaning, show an ID that says you’re legally allowed to drink and in you go.
This is my first time here, but I already know I’ll want to come back.
The place is wide open and relaxing with a dance floor that spreads across the entirety of the square room. There are tables lining both the left and right walls, allowing for some to sit back and relax. Or perv.
There’re typical barstools that line the curved bar top, stretching along the back corner, and the lights hanging above let off a soft red glow, an alluring contrast against the gold glitter infused, black-tiled floor.
The DJ is isolated in the farthest corner of the bar, and the sound system allows for the melody to be heard in various volumes throughout it: thunderous in the center of the dance floor, soft and airy near the tables and clear and raw at the sides of the bar.
Cam stretches her neck and advances forward, my hand in hers. “Come on! He’s over there!”
When we reach him, Trey smiles brightly, tells us how nice we look, and immediately places a shot in our hands.
“What is it?” I ask him, eyeing the dark liquor.
“It’s your fun juice, girl. Heard you needed it.” He holds out two limes.
I pin a glare on Cameron, and she shrugs, not waiting for me before downing her own shot. She bites into the lime and then wipes her mouth with the back of her hand, smirking at me.
“You gonna deny it, sweet cheeks?” She grins, her head tilted.
Popping a brow, I throw mine back, loudly knocking my glass on the bar top with a grin. “Nope.” I toss my lime at her, and she laughs, her eyes lighting up with excitement from just having me with her.
I love my best friend
“I’m going to dance!”
“Atta girl! Meet you out there!” Cam shouts while Trey calls for another round.
The minute my feet hit the center of the dance floor, where the music’s blaring the loudest, the rush takes over, and instantly, I feel better than I have in weeks.
Say You Swear Page 11