The Game You Play (Rixon Raiders 2)

Me.

And I was going all the way.

No matter the cost.

“Something on your mind?” Cameron pulled up a stool next to the high table beside me.

“Nah, just watching Grady make an ass of himself.”

“You know, you can come sit with us.”

“I know.”

“What I’m trying to figure out is if you won’t come over because of Hailee or Felicity or both of them?”

“Look, Chase, I’m happy for you, I am. Does it freak me out you’re boning my step-sister? Hell yes.” I shuddered. “But I get it. You need her, she needs you, yada yada yada.”

“You say it like it’s a bad thing.”

My eyes levelled him. “You gave up Penn for her.” Cameron had always been coming to Penn with me. We were going to dominate the Quakers and kick some Ivy League ass. But then his mom got sick and he and Hailee... well, things changed. He changed.

Cam let out a heavy sigh, raking a hand through his hair. “I thought we were over this? I get football is important to you, but there’s more to life—”

“Is this the part where you tell me that one day I’ll meet the one and realize I want to settle down, get married, and pop out a couple of kids? Because if it is, you’re wasting your breath.”

“I know Aimee hurt—”

“You think this has fuck all to do with Aimee? She was nothing but a conniving piece of shit like her brother.”

“Jase, come on, this is me. You don’t need to put—”

“Aimee was a mistake.” A huge fucking mistake that came back around to bite me in the ass. If I’d have known she was Thatcher’s sister from the get go, I never would have looked at her, let alone touched her.

“It’s okay to admit you felt something...” Cameron trailed off when I glared at him. Hard. He didn’t get it. I didn’t want to feel. I didn’t want to care about anyone other than myself and my future. Caring made you vulnerable. It opened you up to a whole world of hurt I had no interest in feeling. Besides, when I crad

led the leather ball in my hands, I had everything I needed.

“Okay, I won’t say another word. But you should still come sit with us. I know it’d mean a lot to Hailee.” Cam stalked back to their booth, and I let my eyes drift over to them. Hailee was gazing up at him with stars in her eyes and Asher was busy entertaining Felicity with nothing but a beer mat and his nose. It would have been easy to go sit with them, to pretend I was okay with how much everything was changing. But then, Asher leaned forward, brushing a wisp of hair from Felicity’s face and my hand tightened around the bottle. He was touching her and she was loving every second.

Fuck that.

And fuck them.

“Jerry,” I called as I approached the bar. “I’m gonna need something stronger.”

“Come on, Jase, you know I can’t—”

“I like you, J, but it’s either serve me the damn liquor or I’ll go get it elsewhere.”

He let out a resigned sigh and shook his head. “You remind me of him, you know. Back in the day.”

“Spare me the ‘you’re just like your old man’ crap.” I nursed my empty bottle, waiting for Jerry to pour my new drink.

“Even sound like him too,” his chest rumbled with laughter. “I’m cutting you off after two.”

“Three.” I rose a brow.

“Fine, three and you’re done.” He pushed a glass of whiskey toward me. It wasn’t exactly the drink of champions, but I’d acquired the taste when me and the guys used to raid my dad’s liquor cabinet back when we were kids.