Ever since Jason and I were forced upon one another in sixth grade, when his dad and my mom announced they were moving in together, we’d been at war. Jason didn’t want a sister and I had no time for a brother. Especially one as annoying and conceited as Jason. We were polar opposites—him: popular and athletic; and me: artsy and free-spirited. Jason lived and breathed football, like most of Rixon. But not me. I barely even knew the rules of play. Needless to say, as we got older, the rift between us only grew. He loved nothing more than to piss me the hell off and I loved nothing more than spending my days plotting my sweet revenge.
“Just because everyone else thinks the sun shines out of his ass, doesn’t mean I have to lie down at his feet and take his shit.”
Flick’s brow shot up. “He does have a rather fine ass though.”
“Take that back.” I almost choked on a mouthful of Pop-Tart. “Take that back, right now.”
“What?” Her soft laughter filled the car. “I’d never sample the goods, but it doesn’t hurt to look.”
“Oh my god, I can’t listen to this. Not first thing on a Monday morning.” I jammed my fingers in my ears, but she wouldn’t shut up.
“Don’t tell me you’ve never had a sneak peek at the guys when they’re over? You must have checked out Asher or Cameron’s—”
“Felicity Giles, who are you and what have you done with my best friend?”
“What?” She grinned. “I’m just saying, I’m all for hating on the football team, but it doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate their physical—”
“Stop.” I leaned over clapping my hand over her mouth. “Would you just stop, already?”
I didn’t want to think about Jason and his friends that way. Especially not Cameron Chase. He had reveled in making my life miserable as much as my step-brother ever since we started junior high together. Granted, it hadn’t always been that way. When we’d first moved in with Jason and his dad, Cameron had been a buffer to his best friend’s open-hostility toward me. For the last five months of sixth grade I’d foolishly believed we might become friends. But then the summer before junior high happened and everything changed.
Everything.
And I realized Cameron Chase was a douchebag just like my new step-brother.
Rixon High School came into view and Flick pulled into the parking lot, her vintage yellow Beetle sticking out like a sore thumb next to all the shiny new Hondas and Fords. Like me, my best friend didn’t conform to the masses. We climbed out and made our way toward the school building, and all my earlier anger dissolved at the prospect of getting back in the studio. Unlike most of my classmates who were excited to be back amongst their friends, reliving memories of their summer escapades, I was itching to get back to class, notably art class.
“Breathe it all in.” Flick inhaled deeply as we reached the doors. “Our last first day at high school. We’ll never start a new year here again. Next year, we’ll be freshmen.”
I grabbed the door handle and glanced back at her. “We’d better make it count then.” I smiled. A genuine honest-to-god smile. Because she was right.
One year.
I only had to survive one more year. Of this town and its beloved football team; of my step-brother and his asshole friends.
Then I’d be free.
But despite my excitement at what the future held—far far away from Rixon, if I had anything to do with it—it was senior year, and I intended on making the most of it.
Then a familiar voice washed over me, a cruel reminder from the Universe that while I still roamed the halls of Rixon High, there was no escaping them.
“Looking good, Sunshine.”
My eyes snapped up to find Cameron Chase, Rixon Raiders star wide receiver and my step-brother’s best friend, smirking at me. “You know I don’t like being called that,” I said calmly, schooling my irritation.
“I know,” he replied with an air of indifference, his shoulders lifting in a shrug. “Nice ti… t-shirt.” His gaze dropped to my chest before lifting slowly to my face again, amusement dancing in his murky blue eyes. “Is it cold in here or are just happy to see me?”
Cameron winked, before slipping around me and Flick. He shoved my hand off the door handle and I jerked back, caught off-guard by the tiny bolts of electricity shooting through me. He paused for a second, looking at his hand, before shaking his head and ducking inside the building, letting the door slam closed behind him... and right in my face.With a heavy sigh, I yanked it open and slipped inside, Flick trailing after me. “Just look at that ass,” she whispered, leaning in close, watching Cameron’s retreating form as kids tripped over themselves to move out of his way. But I wasn’t looking at his ass. My eyes were burning into the back of his head, imagining all the painful ways I could hurt him. He glanced over his shoulder, our eyes locking, and I let out a frustrated groan.I knew that look.I’d seen it enough over the years. But I’d never seen it from Cameron before. Sure, he went along with Jason’s pranks and efforts to find new ways to piss me off. But he’d never been so blata
“Are we really going to class?” Asher asked as we made our way down the deserted hall.“What do you think?” Jason grumbled. “I can’t believe we’re stuck with Khloe all year.”“Like you haven’t already banged that.” Asher elbowed Jase who levelled him with a hard look.“Exactly,” he ground out. “And I’m not looking for a repeat. Ever.” Contempt dripped from his words, as if the idea of being with a girl more than once was crazy. But then, when girls threw themselves at you the way they did Jason, I couldn’t blame him.Being a Rixon Raider came with a certain set of privileges. We were treated like gods in the halls at school; and outside the school gates, around town, wasn’t much different. It was easy to get swept up in it all. The girls. The attention. The respect. But being the team’s star quarterback was a whole other deal. Jason Ford wasn’t just a Rixon Raider—he was the Rixon Raider. The guy legends were made of, and we all knew he had a one-way ticket straight to the NFL.“So, w
But that wasn’t good enough for Jase. No, he issued a whole school lockdown. It was excessive. I knew it. Asher knew it. Everyone knew it. But since everyone also knew her step-brother’s reputation of following through on his threats, no one dared ask her out. And for the last three years, Hailee had been a social pariah. She kept herself to herself, had a small circle of friends, and preferred to lose herself in the art studio than lose herself in school spirit. Although part of me couldn’t help but wonder if she liked it that way, or if she’d just come to accept her fate.I should have felt an ounce of guilt of over it—I didn’t. Because the truth was, Jason wasn’t the only one who had issues with his teammates, or anyone else for that matter, hooking up with Hailee.“Found them.” Grady, another senior, breezed into the locker room, holding a pile of clothes. “But you’re not going to like what she did to your jersey.” He unballed the white and cobalt-blue shirt and held it up, a stra
“Desperate,” I added, feeling a strange dip in my stomach. Ignoring it, I pushed my plate away, slid on my glasses, and pulled out my sketch pad and pencils.“What’re you working on?” Flick leaned over to get a better look. “Wow, that’s good, Hails, really good.”Pride swelled in my chest. I didn’t draw for other people, but it never hurt hearing someone appreciated your art. The piece, a sketch of kids filing into school I’d titled ‘first day rush’, had taken me hours but it still wasn’t quite finished. I liked to carry a project around with me for moments like this.Moments where I needed to escape all the bullshit that came with being Jason Ford’s step-sister.“Hmm, Hails.” Flick’s voice ruined my concentration and I glared at her.“What?”“Is that any way to greet your... friend?I glanced over my shoulder to find Asher Bennet standing behind me, a smug grin plastered on his face.“What do you want?” Pencil poised between my fingers, spine rigid, I readied myself for whatever bull
Cameron I left Asher and Jase in the gym with the excuse I had to meet with the guidance counsellor. I didn’t, but they didn’t need to know that. The halls were empty as I made my way to the art studio. Hailee had a free period which meant there was only one place she would be. So it was hardly a surprise when I found her in one of the smaller rooms. The door was ajar and I slipped inside, closing it behind me. It was a risk coming here, but no one would dare question me. And if anyone did run their mouths, I’d spin it to my advantage. Say I was doing Jase a favor, warning her to back off. Hailee was straddling a chair, her back to me. Her dark blonde hair was pulled up in a messy bun, strands falling around her face as she swiped the paintbrush against the canvas in long angry strokes. Every now and again, she paused, inclining her head, revealing the delicate slope of her neck. The oversized shirt she wore—no doubt to protect her clothes underneath—combined with her black framed gl
Telling myself I hadn’t almost just kissed her.“So, what did Miss Hampstead say?” Asher asked as we met up outside class.“She just wanted to run by my college applications again.”Jase scoffed. “Like she doesn’t know exactly where you’re headed.”“Nothing’s a given,” I said quietly as we made our way to the locker room.“You’ll be at Penn State with me.” He spoke the words with no hesitation. None. As if it was already a done deal.I gave him a hard look. “I’m not the golden boy of Rixon.” The corner of my mouth lifted. “There’s no guarantee the scouts will—”“They’ll want you,” he said, cutting me off. “You already know they’re interested.”“I need to have other options though.” Besides, I wasn’t even sure if the call did come, that Penn State was what I wanted. It was an Ivy League school and Ivy League meant expensive. So even though it was one of the top football programs in the country, when I had interest from Pittsburg and Michigan State that would most likely come hand-in-ha
“What are you going to do?”“Do?”“Yeah.” Her eyes darted to mine. “I mean, he threatened you.”“It’s nothing new, Flick.” I’d been dealing with their shit for years. “If Jason backs down, so will I, but we both know that will never happen.”“So I guess I know the answer to my next question.” Guilt flashed in her eyes causing me to incline my head as I studied her.“Something you want to tell me?” My brow rose as I licked the spoon clean.“Well, I was thinking, since it’s senior year and all, and since we’ll never get these experiences again…” Flick inhaled a deep breath. “That... maybe… weshouldgotothepeprallynextweekend.” The words came out in a blast of strawberry scented breath.“Hold up a minute. You want to go to that thing? We never go.” We hated those things. Not to mention the fact it was an entire night dedicated to the football team in all their asshole-glory.“I know, I know.” She hung her head in shame. “It’s just I made this stupid list.”“List?” That got my attention. “
“I’m not...” I pressed my lips together, swallowing the argument lodged in my throat. Because Flick was right. Until now, I had no idea she felt that way.“I don’t want to be the next Khloe Stemson. I don’t want to join the cheer squad and throw myself at the Raiders feet, that’s not what this is. I just don’t want to graduate and have all these regrets.” She wafted the list in the air with a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings.”“I’m sorry I’m such a hardened bitch who ruins your life.”“Hails...”“Joke.” I held up my hands. “I’m joking.” For the most part anyway. “I need to pee; I’ll be right back. Can I get you anything else? My treat?”“Hmm, I shouldn’t.” Her gaze flicked to the counter. “But I’d accept one of those rocky road brownies as a peace offering.”With a weak smile and a heavy heart, I stood up. “Consider it done.” Making my way inside the store, I headed toward the back where the restrooms were.Flick’s admission had caught me completely off-guard. There was