The Endgame Is You (Rixon Raiders 4)

“Coach almost blew a gasket.”

“I bet. But it paid off.”

“Come here, sweetheart.” Mom pulled me into a hug. “I’m so proud of you.”

She told me every time we were together. It was as if after her illness she wanted to treasure every moment, imprint every memory. She was healthy now, but I guess something like that changed you.

I knew it had changed me to some extent.

“The team not celebrating?” Dad asked as we headed for their SUV.

“Yeah, there’ll be a party or something.”

“You can always go after we—”

“Don’t do that,” I said. “I want to be here, with you guys.” My arm slipped tighter around Xander.

“You’re a good man, Cameron.” Dad squeezed my shoulder.

“Thanks.” Emotion clogged my throat, but it was nothing compared to the way my heart squeezed at how tight Xander clung to me as we made our way across the parking lot.

Hailee

“Is he asleep?” I asked.

“Yeah, finally.”

“Come here.” Crossing the room to Cameron, I pulled him into my arms. “It’s going to be okay.”

“Is it?” His voice cracked. “Because I’m not sure anymore.”

Xander had wanted to stay with us at the apartment, so we’d agreed he could. Karen and Clarke had watched on with a mix of dejection and relief as we left their car and made our way into the building. They were staying at a hotel two blocks over, but would join us for breakfast in the morning.

“Tell me what he said to you at the game.” Cameron stared down at me with so much pain, I wanted to take it from him.

“He asked if we were getting married...” I took a deep breath, knowing how greatly my next words would affect him., “and then he asked if he could move in with us.”

“Fuck, he said that?”

I nodded, giving him some space to digest things.

Cameron ran a hand over his head and cupped the back of his neck. “What am I supposed to do here?”

“You just keep doing what you’re doing. Xander knows you love him, Cameron. He knows your mom and dad love him. He’s just a little messed up right now, but he’ll grow out of it.”

“Will he?” Cam dropped down onto the edge of the bed, burying his face in his hands. I sat beside him, offering my comfort if he needed it.

“You know, tonight, at the game, I wanted it. I wanted to go pro. I don’t know what happened. One minute, I was worrying about Xander and my parents and you, and the next, I was so wrapped up in the game...”

“Hey, don’t feel bad.” I cupped his face, forcing him to look at me. “You should never feel bad for wanting to follow your dreams, Cam. Ever.”

“I still can’t believe he said he wants to live with us.”

“It’s like he’s waiting for you to go home.”

“I know.”

“Do you want that?” I asked, unsure I wanted the answer. “To go back to Rixon?”