The Endgame Is You (Rixon Raiders 4)

“He’ll get through this, Cam,” Jase said. “You all will.”

“It’s just something I have to do.”

“I get it. So does Hailee. Just don’t shut her out, okay? You need her.”

“I know.” Pain laced my words. “I’ll fix it.”

“Good, because I really don’t want to have to drive up to Michigan and kick your ass.” I heard the smirk in his words.

“You think you could take me?”

“I know I could.”

“You wish, asshole.” Laughter rumbled in my chest and it felt good.

I couldn’t remember the last time I laughed.

“How’s stuff with the team?” he asked.

“Coach is going to tear me a new one for missing practice.”

“He’ll understand.”

“You haven’t met Coach Byford.” I hesitated, hardly able to believe the words teetering on the tip of my tongue.

“What?” Jason asked.

“Nothing.” I couldn’t say it. Not to him.

“Shit, Cam,” he breathed. “Tell me you’re not seriously considering quitting the team? In your senior year?”

“I don’t want to.” I didn’t. “But it means I could go home at the weekend and travel back for classes.”

“And what is my sister supposed to do while you’re driving back and forth?”

“Jase, come on...”

“I’m not trying to be a dick, I’m not. But we literally just spent five minutes going over the fact you need to let Hailee in, not push her away.”

“It’s not like that. I just...”

Jase let out an exasperated breath. “You need to figure out your priorities here, Cam. Graduation is in less than seven months. Less than six if you take out the holidays and spring break. It isn’t that long. If you walk from the team, you’ll regret it.”

“But if I don’t, and Xander gets worse...” How could I live with that?

“I wish I had the answer,” he sighed.

“Yeah, me too.”

“Just talk to Hailee. Any decisions you do or don’t make need to be done with her. It’s only fair.”

“I will, I promise.” If she wanted to talk to me anytime soon that was.

“I gotta shoot, Felicity is—”

“Yeah, yeah. Go tend to your girl.” I smiled. Jase was different but he wore it well.

“I’m here, Cam. Always.”