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The Endgame Is You 55
HAILEE“Hi, sweetheart.” My mom came to me in a dream, only when I opened my eyes, she was standing right there.“Mom?” I pushed up, my muscles sore from sleeping on the row of plastic hospital chairs. “What time is it?”“A little after one.”It had been two hours since Cameron and his dad had disappeared into Karen’s room.“I must have fallen asleep.”She nodded. “Cameron called and asked me to come and get you.”“He did?” I frowned, glancing down the hall where I knew he was with his parents. “They’re going to stay with Karen. He didn’t want you to be out here all by yourself.” “Oh, okay.” My stomach dipped.“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s go home.”But as I got up and let her lead me away, all I could think was I was leaving my home behind in that room.“It’s so good to see you, Hailee. I just wish it was under better circumstances.” Mom made small talk as we walked to her car. It was dark out, a blanket of stars kissing the inky sky. Such a beautiful scene for such a tragic night.“Di
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But I realized now, his heart wasn’t in it.“He needs to be here with his family.”“You really think he’ll quit the team? Leave college?”I didn’t want to believe it when we’d first talked about it, but Karen’s diagnosis changed everything. And I knew…in my heart of hearts, I knew I’d already lost him.Silent tears clung to my lashes.“I’m so sorry,” Felicity said as if she’d worked it out too.“It’s okay,” I choked out. “He needs to be here for them.”Even though I knew the words to be true, it didn't make them hurt any less.“Hailee,” Mom yelled. “Cameron is here. I’m going to meet Kent for dinner. We’ll be back later.” “Listen, I’ve got to go.”“Do you want me to come there? I can drive down—”“No,” I said, drying my eyes. “I’ll be okay.”“Well, call me later.”“I will. Bye.” I hung up and took a deep breath.“Hailee?” Cameron’s voice made my heart soar, but it quickly crashed back down to Earth.“Come in.”The second he stepped into the room, I saw my greatest fear etched into eve
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I buried my hands deep in her hair, angling her face to mine as I captured her lips. Hot, needy kisses. “I will always love you,” I barely whispered the words against the corner of her mouth.Hailee rose up slightly, grasping my shaft in her hand before sinking down in one smooth motion.“Cam,” she breathed, clutching onto my shoulders. “It feels—”“I know,” I groaned, rocking into her. My hand curved over her hip, guiding her movements. I wanted her slow and deep, fast and hard. I wanted her anyway I could get her. Because being like this with Hailee would never be enough… and yet, for now, it would have to be.My chest tightened as she rode me. I memorized every roll of her hips, every breathy moan to fall from her lips. But I needed more. I needed every single thing she had to give.Without warning, I flipped Hailee over and began thrusting into her. She raked her nails down my back, crying out as I went harder. “Oh God, Cam…” Sucking in a sharp breath, she held onto my shoulders a
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“No, I’m okay.” I smiled. Jason was so different, and I was proud of the man he’d become. “Just take care of him, please.”“I will. He gets a couple of days and then I’m going down there.” “Good. He’ll need someone to talk to.”“You’re the best of us, Hailee, you know that, right?” “Thank you.” Emotion clogged my throat.“I’ll call you soon to check in.”“Okay, bye, Jas—” My stomach churned violently. “I need to go.” I dropped the phone and raced through the apartment, crashing through the bathroom door just in time for my lunch to make a reappearance.So much for a twenty-four-hour stomach flu.HAILEECAMERON DIDN’T RETURN TO SCHOOL. HE QUIT THE TEAM AND DEFERRED HIS CLASSES. JASON HAD driven up last weekend to collect some of his things and take them back to Rixon. That had been hard.But it was for the best.Doctors couldn’t give the Chase family a clear prognosis. But they had told them to treasure every moment which didn’t sound good.We’d talked a couple of times, but we didn’t
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“Hush, you’ve got to think for two now.” I shot her a disapproving look.“Too soon?”“What do you think?”“I think you need to explain how you’re pregnant when you told me you and Cameron were going through a dry spell?”“Seriously, that’s what you’re choosing to focus on?” “Fee, you’re doing it again,” Mya said.“Sorry, I’m sorry, okay.” She held up a hand. “I just... pregnant. She’s freakin’ pregnant.”“Yes, I got it the first time.” Mya offered me an apologetic look. “How are you feeling, really?”“Confused. Scared. Did I say confused?”“It’s okay, Hailee. You’re going through something huge.”“Have you told Cam?” That was Felicity. I pressed my lips together, averting my gaze. “Hailee...you have to tell him.” “I can’t, not yet.”He was dealing with something huge; he didn’t need this to worry about.“Girl,” Mya reached for my hand. “He’d want to know.”“I need to process it first and then figure out what I’m going to do.” “What do you mean?” Felicity paled. “You’re going to keep
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“Are you hungry?” she asked Xander. “I heard they’re doing tacos in the cafeteria today.” “I love tacos.”“I know you do, baby. You want to go with Dad and get some? He should be here any—”“Did I hear someone say tacos?”Mom chuckled and it was like music to my ears.“Hey, Dad,” Xander said.“Hey, buddy. Shall we go feed you?”“Don’t be too long,” Mom called after them. When they were gone, she patted the bed again. “Come closer, sweetheart.” “Hey, Mom.”“I wanted to talk to you about something,” she said, and my brows furrowed. “I had a dream last night, and I woke up with the strangest feeling...” She took my hand in hers. “I know you want to be here, and I love you for it, I do. But I think you need to go and see Hailee—”“Mom...”“Just hear me out. You know I’m not one for superstition, but I can’t shake the feeling she needs you.”“If you’re trying to make me feel guiltier than I already do, you’re doing a pretty good job of it.” I gave her a tight smile.“Oh, Cameron, my sweet
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Shuffling closer, I took his hand in mine, squeezing it gently. “It’s okay. I understand.”“Do you?” His eyes slid to mine. “Because I don’t. I don’t understand anything anymore. But my mom said I needed to come, and it was like she was giving me permission... so here I am.”“Cameron...” I swallowed the words. It was like Karen was here, standing over us, watching as we tried to sort our shit out.I knew if Cameron hadn’t turned up here today, I probably wouldn’t have told him yet. But could I really let him leave without giving him the truth?“I don’t understand either,” I whispered. “But your mom was right.” “W- what do you mean?” His eyes were filled with trepidation.“I’m pregnant.”The silence was deafening. My pulse hammered inside my chest, making me a little lightheaded. “You’re pregnant?”I nodded. “Almost three months.” “But... how?”“The doctor said it happens sometimes. I didn’t miss a period, but I was sick when I came to Rixon with you, remember?”“You knew and you didn’
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JASONThere had once been a time when a three-year-old’s birthday party would have sent me running for the hills. But when one of the birthday girls was your daughter, that wasn’t really an option. I cut the engine, climbed out of my SUV, and set about emptying the trunk of all the balloons Fee and Hailee had sent me out to get.Fuck knows why we needed more balloons. Cam’s house was already full of the damn things. But I knew better than to argue with my wife and my sister.Hands full, I trudged up the driveway, which was already full of cars, and let myself into the house. It sounded like a zoo, kids running and screaming, adults hovering on the fringes unsure whether to intervene or let them have at it.God, I missed football.At least back then, things were simple.“Daddy, Daddy,” Lily charged at my legs. “You got boons.”“Sure did, baby.” I thrust the handful of balloons at the first person I saw and scooped up the birthday girl. “Are you enjoying your party?”“Yes,” she shrieked
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