The Game You Play (Rixon Raiders 2)

“Well, it’s a step in the right direction.” She gave me a reassuring smile. “And who knows. Maybe you can work your magic on George and get him to give you a shift or two?”

“Mya!” My cheeks burned. “I would never—”

“Relax, I’m joking. But it’s good to see you smile, girl.”

It felt good to smile. Until I spotted Cameron, Asher… and Jason heading in our direction. My breath caught in my throat. Even now, after everything, my heart still wanted him. The rest of me wanted nothing more than to watch him combust into flames, but my heart, well it wasn’t quite there yet.

Before they reached us, Jason split away from his friends and took off toward the gym. I let out a little sigh of relief, ignoring the way my stomach sank, and pasted on the brightest smile I could for Cameron and Asher.

“Ladies,” Asher said. “We missed you at lunch.” His eyes settled on mine, asking me things I didn’t want to answer.

“We had a... thing.” Mya winked at me.

“A thing. I like things. You could have invited me.”

“Asher,” Hailee warned.

“It’s okay, Hails. You don’t all have to pretend this isn’t awkward. But I’m fine. Truly.”

“That’s the spirit, Fee, baby. So what’s happening?”

“Felicity is trying to figure out her future,” Hailee said.

“Sounds interesting. Anything we can help with?”

“Not unless you know of a veterinary clinic taking on volunteers.”

“Huh.” Asher’s brows pinched. “I never had you down as a cat lover.”

“Hey, I like dogs too. Anything soft and cute really, I don’t discriminate.”

“You’ve tried the one downtown?”

I nodded. “They have nothing. I’ll figure something out.” I waved him off, hoping to deflect the attention from me to someone else. The last thing I needed was Asher on the case. He was worse than a dog with a bone.

“We should probably head to practice before Coach comes looking for us.” Cameron reached for Hailee, pulling her to her feet. “I’ll miss you.”

“Miss you too,” she said, kissing him.

“Miss you three,” Asher added around a grin.

Cameron flipped him off behind Hailee’s back.

“You’ll be at the game Friday, right?” Asher turned his attention to me and Mya.

“Actually,” I tucked my long bangs behind my ear, “I don’t think so.”

“What the fuck? You have to come. It’s our final game before the play-offs.”

“Hails will be there, right, Hails?”

“Yes, she will,” Cam answered for her.

“See, you have to come.”

“Hailee can hang out with Cam’s parents.” His mom and dad were making the trip to Brennington since she was finally feeling a little better.

“What about you, Mya? Can I count on you to be there, cheering us on?”