2

“You should know not to dare me by now. I never lose.” He winked before diving at her. One minute Mya was standing there, the next she was over Asher’s shoulder, shrieking like a banshee as he ran straight toward the ocean.

“He’s so gonna get it,” I said around a smile, watching as Asher dropped her into the water.

“He’s gonna get something all right.” Jason barked out a laugh.

“Why is everything about sex to guys?”

“And girl.” Flick snickered, holding up a finger.

I rolled my eyes, unable to smother the laughter building in my chest as Jase dipped my best friend

and smothered her with wet, sloppy kisses.

Despite all his alpha ways, they were so freaking cute. Even if she had completely lost her mind and let someone tattoo ‘Property of a Raider’ on her skin. But that was Felicity Giles, a girl who loved with her whole heart and lived every second like it was her last. I was excited for them to go off to UPenn and chase their dreams. Even if Cameron and I would be a nine-hour ride away in Michigan.

“You okay?” Cam looped his arm around my neck and gazed down at me. “Yeah, I’m good.”

I had great friends.

The most perfect boyfriend.

And our whole lives ahead of us.

CAMERON

“We’re lucky bastards, you know that, right?” Asher tipped his beer toward where the girls were laughing and talking, sipping the sugary sweet cocktails Felicity had insisted on making.

After a day at the beach, we’d headed back to the house. The place had a grill too mammoth not to put to good use. A cloud of smoke currently drifted into the sky as Jase flipped burgers and steaks.

“Yeah, I know.” Hailee caught my eye and smiled; and fuck, if it wasn’t like a bolt of lightning to my heart.

I loved that girl. I loved her more than I had ever loved another person, and the thought of starting my life with her should have been the happiest moment of my life. Except I had a gnawing guilt over leaving Rixon, of leaving my mom and dad and my kid brother, Xander. Mom was better, she was, but it didn’t stop the trickle of fear I felt every time I imagined being a nine-hour ride away and getting a call that she was sick again, or that Xander was having bad nightmares still.

I wanted to be there for them, always. But Hailee wanted Art School, especially STAMPS at the University of Michigan, and she deserved it.

She deserved it so fucking much.

“You all set to be a Wolverine?” Asher asked.

“I guess.”

“Don’t sound too excited about it.”

“It just won’t be the same, ya know?” I took a long pull on my beer.

“Yeah, being a Raider was something special, a once in a lifetime experience. But college will be good, you’ll see.”

I wished I could be as laidback as Asher. Even after everything he and Mya had been through with her ex, and with his mom getting shot, he still managed to paste on a trademark Bennet smile.

I envied him. His ability to dust himself off and embrace everything life had to offer.

I wanted it; I did. But fear held me back. Fear about the future... about everything changing.

Rixon was my home.

But Hailee was my heart and I knew I’d follow her anywhere. “Yo,” Jase yelled over his shoulder. “Steaks are almost done.” “And that’s our cue to get the salad,” Felicity mumbled.

“And the sauce. Don’t forget the hot sauce.” Asher smirked. “Oh and bring some pickles and some of those—”

“Babe,” Mya clipped out. “You have legs.” “Yeah, but I’m supervising Jase.” I snorted at that.

“It’s a good thing I love you.” She rolled her eyes playfully before taking off after the girls.

“I love her so fucking much,” he said, as if it was the simplest thing in the world.

But I got it.

We all did.

We were young. Three guys chasing their dreams of football, fame, and fortune. But we’d already found our forever girls.

And that was worth everything.

Every fucking thing.

HAILEE

“I am stuffed.” Felicity sat back rubbing her swollen stomach.

“You’ll be stuffed later,” Jason smirked.

“Is that a promise?” Desire glittered in her eyes.

“Guys, really?” I groaned, and Cameron squeezed my hand, fighting a smile.

“What?” She shrugged. “We’re all friends.”

“Damn right, we are.”

Jason reached for his beer and thrust it in the air. “No matter what the next four years bring, you’ll always be my best friends.”

“Aww, love you too.” I poked out my tongue at him and everyone laughed. “You’re not so bad, Raine.”

“Likewise, Ford.”

It was hard to believe there had been a time when Jason and I couldn’t stand one another. He still drove me crazy sometimes, but I loved him like a brother. He was fiercely protective of those he cared about, and that now included me.

“But seriously, guys, we might not be Raiders anymore, but we will always be friends. Distance won’t change that.”

“Easy for you to say,” Cam said, glancing between Jase and Asher, “you’ll be a stone’s throw away from each other.”

He chuckled, but I heard the strain there. Cameron was coming to Michigan for me, for my dream, and I couldn’t help the tiny pang of guilt I felt. He reassured me all the time it was the right move, but I didn’t ever want him to regret it.

Or resent me.

My shoulders sank.

“Hey.” He squeezed my hand and I lifted my eyes to his. “I’m joking… it was a joke.” “I know.”

“You think he’d really go anywhere you’re not?” My stepbrother asked me.

“Jase,” Flick warned.