The Endgame Is You (Rixon Raiders 4)

And the way we were headed, I was starting to wonder if it was me.

If I was the thing to give.

Between practice, classes, and going back and forth to Rixon, Cameron was barely here anymore. Yet, I couldn’t say anything, because if I did, it made me a terrible person.

So I stuffed down my reservations, put on a smile, and played my role as supportive, understanding girlfriend.

And it was slowly breaking my heart.

“It isn’t forever. The holidays will be here soon enough, and then once it’s the new year, and he knows there are only a few months before graduation, I think it’ll be easier.”

Cameron was in too deep to see that he was feeding Xander’s attachment issues. I knew Asher had tried to talk to him about it; Mya had told me the last time we spoke. But again, I didn’t feel able to say anything because Xander was his brother. His baby brother. And after what they went through almost losing their mom... I couldn’t criticize his choices.

Even if I didn’t fully understand them.

“I think I’m done.” He zipped the bag and stood, running a hand through his damp hair. “I’ll see you Monday, okay?”

I nodded, a rush of emotion clawing up my throat.

“Please be safe, and call me when you stop, no matter the time.”

“I’ll text. You need to get some sleep.”

Like that would come easy knowing Cameron was on the road in the middle of the night, running on nothing but adrenaline and energy drinks.

“I will.” He slid his hand along my jaw and tipped my head back, grazing his lips over mine. “I love you, Hailee.”

“I love you too.”

I went to deepen the kiss, but Cameron had already pulled away, slinging his bag over his shoulder and making for the door.

While I stood there watching as he took another piece of my heart with him.

I woke to the sound of m

y cell phone blaring. A smile tugged at my lips at the prospect of speaking to Cameron, but when I saw Felicity’s name, disappointment snaked through me.

“Hey,” I said, around a yawn.

“Did I wake you?”

“I must have fallen asleep.”

“Late night?”

“I barely slept. Cameron drove back to Rixon through the night and I couldn’t settle.”

“I thought he was going this morning?”

“Me too,” I said, my chest tightening.

“He’s going home a lot, huh?”

“Yeah, I guess...” I trailed off, unsure of what she wanted me to say.

Everyone knew Cameron was going back and forth. It wasn’t some big secret. But it did make me wonder what our friends were saying about it.

“Has Jason said anything?”