The Game You Play (Rixon Raiders 2)

“Almost there,” I squeaked, grabbing Hailee’s hand and squeezing.

I knew how important it was for her to be here for Cameron after everything they had been through.

The final whistle went and our tiny section of the bleachers erupted. Even Mya was on her feet, hooting and hollering as the high of the win settled deep in our bones.

It was weird. Throughout high school I’d never been part of anything. I wasn’t in band or on the cheer squad. I didn’t get invited to parties or to join the debate team or compete for an athletics club. I had Hailee and our simple lives—hanging out at The Alley, gate-crashing the odd party, eating our body weight in ice cream at Ice T’s—and it was enough.

Until I wanted more.

Until I wanted to soak up every experience I could in senior year and experience all the things I’d never gotten to because we’d been outcast by our peers all because of Jason and his stupid grudge against Hailee. But here, cheering on the team, I felt like I belonged.

As soon as the players disappeared off field, we all filed out of the bleachers and into the parking lot where the team buses were waiting. The second Jason appeared, leading the team out of the Falcons’ building, a huge round of cheers greeted our heroes. The guys split off, searching for their friends and families among the gathered crowd. Cameron and Asher made a beeline for the three of us, while Jase chatted to Coach Hasson and his father. I pretended to listen to Asher as he recounted every play and pass, every tackle and sack. Really, I was watching Jason. His tight expression as his father gripped his shoulder as he talked animatedly with the coach.

“Fee, baby, what’s got your...” Asher craned his neck around, the sparkle in his eye dimming. “Oh.”

“Sorry,” I gave him my best smile. “You were saying?”

“Well, I was about to invite the three of you to the party at my house tomorrow...” I hated the dejection in his voice but there was no use in trying to fix it. He’d seen me looking at Jason, and I knew he knew how I felt.

Even if I’d never told him.

“You like to party, Mya?” Asher slung his arm around her shoulder, and I swear a small growl formed low in her throat. “Message received.” He edged away, shooting her a lazy grin. “But seriously, you should come tomorrow. My place is the only place to party. Hailee will be there, right, Hails?”

“I guess.” She shrugged, glancing up at Cam who was too busy staring at her with such emotion I was pretty sure he hadn’t heard a single word Asher had just said.

“I’ll go if Felicity goes.”

My head snapped over to Mya and she lifted a brow, some indecipherable expression on her face.

“What do you say, Fee, baby? Party at mine tomorrow?”

A few weeks back, my immediate answer would have been yes. It was on my list, a rite of passage for kids of Rixon High. But that was before sex with Jason; before the heated looks and stolen kisses. Before Asher’s puppy-dog eyes followed me everywhere.

God, everything seemed so complicated now.

“Will there be dancing?”

“There is always dancing.” His brows waggled suggestively.

“I’m not talking about that kind of dancing, Asher.” I’d heard the stories.

“There can be any kind of dancing you want.”

He was flirting. Nothing he hadn’t done a hundred times before, but every time he did it, I felt more and more confused.

“Fine, we can go.” My eyes slid to Mya who gave me a curt nod. She was hard to read. But I didn’t miss the way her eyes lingered in Asher’s direction.

She liked him.

He liked me. At least, I think he did.

And I liked Jason.

If this didn’t have disaster written all over it, I don’t know what did.

“Yo, QB,” Asher beckoned Jase over. He strolled toward us, his eyes cool. “We heading to Bell’s later?”

“Not tonight, my dad wants to... celebrate. But I’ll be at yours tomorrow.” His gaze found mine, narrowing. I could feel it running over my skin, burning. He looked wired. The adrenaline of the game, no doubt.