The Game You Play (Rixon Raiders 2)

“But...”

“But I might be having teeny tiny second thoughts.”

“Oh shit, do your parents know?”

“What do you think?” My eyes rolled dramatically.

“I thought you were happy applying to UPenn and following in their footsteps?”

“I mean, yeah, I was. It’s always been the plan. Instilled in me from day one. But now, now I’m not so sure it’s what I want.”

Jason’s cruel words from last night filled my head. He thought I was applying to UPenn because it was where he was going, but it couldn’t be further fro

m the truth. I was applying because it was expected. Because my parents wanted me to follow in their footsteps and continue their legacy. The exciting world of white-collar employment. And until recently, I had been all too happy to make them happy.

“You never said anything,” Hailee sounded dejected, her expression crestfallen.

“You know me, Hails,” I gave her a tight smile, “I’m a people pleaser, not a rulebreaker.” Until Jason. I left that strictly to Hailee and her vendetta against the guys.

“But this is your future. You can’t do something just because your parents want you to.”

“I know.” It had just taken me a while, and a little push from Mya, to find the courage to pursue my own path.

“So what are you going to do?”

That was the million-dollar question. I could pursue business at UPenn and make my parents happy or I could go after what I wanted. Chase my dreams.

The only problem was; I still didn’t know what they were.

“I’m going to work on my list.”

“Your list?” Hailee groaned. “Hasn’t that already caused enough trouble?”

“Actually, Mya helped me rethink a few things. I think it could be good for me to work toward completing it, and who knows, maybe I’ll figure out exactly what I want to do with my life.”

“Now that sounds like a plan I can get on board with.” Mya grinned, her eyes sparkling with eagerness, as if I was a project she just couldn’t wait to get her hands on.

“You know I’ve got your back, whatever you decide,” Hailee added. “Just because I have Cameron now, doesn’t mean I’m not one-hundred percent here for you.”

“Thank you. But first things first…” I dug my cell out of my pocket and found Jason’s number.

“Is that what I think it is?” Hailee craned her neck to get a better look.

“Yep. I need to draw a line under Jason and his games.” My thumb hovered over the ‘delete’ button. Drawing in a deep breath, I closed my eyes, and pressed it.

“To new beginnings.” Mya declared, raising her soda in the air.

“New beginnings,” I echoed, clinking my glass against hers.

But the sound of Hailee clearing her throat cut through our soft laughter. “Now are you going to fess up about what really happened between the two of you?”

Well, damn.

“Seriously? You want to know? I figured you were mentally scarred from New York.”

“I don’t want to know the graphic details, but yeah, I want to know.” She gave me a tentative smile. “After all, I need to know how badly I need to get him back for hurting you.” Her mouth curved into a devious smirk and soon the three of us were falling around my bedroom floor in fits of laughter.

And the ache in my heart faded.