The Game You Play (Rixon Raiders 2)

“Not like that, but he g

rabbed her and said some things. And his friend held Mya back after she punched him.”

“She did what?” I rubbed my temples, this was getting worse by the second.

Hailee nodded. “She hit him and he left Flick alone but then Thatcher—”

My fist slammed into the wall beside me, the crack of bone against drywall reverberating through me. But I barely felt any pain, too consumed with the idea of Thatcher anywhere near Felicity.

“He knows she’s someone, Jason.” Hailee let the words hang between us, the insinuation like a slap in the face.

“Where is she now?” I asked, barely able to see straight.

“At home. She didn’t want to come. I think it’s affected her more than she wants to let on. She’s been holed up at her house all day.”

“And you? You’re okay?”

If Hailee was surprised at my concern, she didn’t show it. “I’m okay,” she said, reaching for Cameron’s hand. “I know this gives you reason to go after Thatcher, but it’s what he wants. You’re in the play-offs now. If you put one step wrong off the field, Principal Finnigan could pull you for the rest of the season.”

Didn’t I know it.

“You don’t need to worry about me,” I said, “I’ll be fine. You two going to be okay if I go?” I lifted a brow at Cameron who gave me a tight nod.

“He isn’t worth it,” he reminded me. “Don’t play into his hands.”

“I don’t plan on it.” But Thatcher would get his, one way or another he would pay for all this.

But right now, I had bigger things to worry about.

Felicity’s house was steeped in darkness when I pulled up outside. Cameron and Hailee had tried to warn me about coming here, but as soon as her name left my step-sister’s lips, all rational thought went out of the window.

I had to know she was okay.

Maybe it was guilt over the fact she wouldn’t be in this mess if it wasn’t for me, or maybe it was because she meant more to me than I cared to admit. Whatever it was, I wasn’t leaving until I saw her with my own two eyes.

So why had I been sitting here for the last ten minutes unable to get out of the damn car?

“Fuck it,” I mumbled, shouldering the door and climbing out. I’d never called on a girl before; never stood on the doorstep and waited for them to appear. It wasn’t my style. Wasn’t something I ever imagined myself doing... yet, here I was.

But the second I hit the Giles’ porch, I froze. It was late on a Saturday night. What if her parents were home? What if her old man answered the door and saw me standing here? He’d recognize me; everyone in town did. Then there would be questions, assumptions… Fuck.

There was no car in the driveway unless you counted Felicity’s ugly sunflower yellow Beetle.

Retrieving my cell, I sent a quick text to Hailee.

Me: Are her parents home?

Haile: How the hell should I know? Is their car there?

Me: I don’t think so.

Hailee: You should be good then. I hope you know what the hell you’re doing.

I ignored that, not wanting to admit I didn’t have the first clue what I was doing.

Knocking gently, I waited. And waited.

And waited some fucking more.