4

My entire life had been building to this moment. I was Asher Bennet’s son. He’d been a Rixon Raider back in the day. He and his best friends, Cameron Chase and Jason Ford, had won the championship in senior year, and each had gone on to play Division I football in college.

Now it was my turn. I couldn’t really explain it, but it felt like a rite of passage. A legacy I needed to uphold. It was a part of me, the same way blood flowed through my veins and oxygen circulated my lungs.

I’d never been the star of the team. I didn’t play quarterback or catch the eye of the top college recruiters. But I was committed and knew the game, and I worked my ass off for my team.

And I wanted it.

I was thirsty for it.

So fucking thirsty.

“Hey, Cole.” Madison Staines appeared, her big eyes drinking up the sight of my best friend.

“Hey,” he said, barely looking twice at her.

“I was hoping we could talk.”

“Yeah, bro.” I chuckled. “You should go talk.” Maybe she could help him remove the giant stick from up his ass.

“Not tonight, yeah. I’m busy.”

Dejection shone in her eyes as she stuttered out, “O-oh, okay. Maybe another time.”

“Seriously?” I gawked at him as she walked off. “Have you lost your goddamn mind?”

“Lay off it,” he murmured. “I already told you, I’m not interested.”

“That’s the thing though, you’re never interested.”

He drained his beer and stood. “You should worry less about my love life and more about your own.”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” His accusation plunked in my chest like a stone.

Something caught his eye behind me and his lips pursed. “You’ve got company.”

I glanced back to see Zara Willis strutting toward us. “Oh fuck,” I hissed under my breath. “You invited her?”

“Like hell I did,” Cole said. “She must have found out from one of the guys.” “Ugh.” Just what I didn’t need.

“Cole,” Zara said, reaching us. I kept my eyes on the flames, refusing to meet her heavy stare.

“I’m going to get another beer. Try not to kill each other.” The traitorous motherfucker left me with her.

“Can we talk?” she said.

“We have nothing to say.” I glanced up at her. It was impossible not to trace her curves. Narrow waist, long smooth legs, and a rack most guys would die for. Zara Willis was a pretty package hiding a Grade-A bitch underneath.

But she stood there twirling a strand of her glossy blonde hair around a finger, with lust and seduction shining in her eyes and fuck, it was hard not to be affected by that. “Come on, babe. Don’t be like that. I was a bitch.” “You can say that again.” I huffed.

We’d kissed at a party the other weekend and Zara had gotten the wrong idea. Told everyone we were together… We weren’t.

She dropped onto my lap, sliding her hands over my shoulders, smiling down at me in that way few guys could resist. “You know we’re destined, Aaron. You’re the football captain, I’m the cheer captain. It’s the natural order of things.”

“I’m not looking to play games.”

“Neither am I.” Her hands ran down my chest, and she curled her fingers into my t-shirt. “We could be so good together.”

I stared at her. Big dark lashes framed her pretty eyes as she smiled at me. Most guys would kill to be me right now… so why the fuck did I feel like a heavy weight was pressing down on my chest?

You know why.

I shut that voice down. It wouldn’t get me anywhere good.

“I’m not looking to go steady, Zara.”

“Who said anything about going steady?” Her lips curved with devious intent. “But we could have some fun.”

“Fun?” My brow lifted.

Girls like Zara had fun until they got their claws so deep into you there was no backing out.

“After last year, it’ll be good for optics.”

I couldn’t argue with that. The team and cheer squad had suffered some bitter rivalry after Coach’s eldest daughter caught the eye of last season’s star quarterback. But he’d also caught the eye of the cheer captain. Things had gotten pretty cutthroat and caused Coach and his daughter Lily some heartache.

“Come on, Aaron.” She smiled, her eyes heavy-lidded and dark with lust. “I’ll make it worth your while.”

Heat snaked through me. Zara knew exactly what buttons to press. But she didn’t know my secret.

I was in senior year and still a virgin.

Because there had been a girl once.

One of my best friends.

The object of all my desires.

Poppy Ford was everything I’d ever wanted. Sweet, funny, loyal. She was one of my favorite people in the whole world.

There was just one glaring problem. She was Coach Ford’s youngest daughter… And my sister’s best friend.

“Good morning, Son,” Dad said when I entered the kitchen. “Where did you get to last night?” “Hung out at Cole’s.” I grabbed a juice box from the refrigerator.

“You know, kid. I remember what it was like senior year. Riding the high of my final season, the parties… the girls…”

“Relax, Dad, I know the deal.”

He held up his hands. “All I’m saying is don’t lose sight of the end goal. If you think senior year is intense, wait until you get to college.” Gentle laughter rumbled in his chest.

“You had Mom,” I said around a smile. “There’s no way she let it go to your head.”

“You’re right.” Mom breezed into the room. “She didn’t.” She dropped a kiss on Dad’s cheek before heading to the coffee maker. “You were out partying again last night?” “Chilling. We were chilling,” I corrected.