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 glasses, shouldn’t have looked so appealing on her. But it did. It looked as sexy as fuck.
She chose that exact moment to pull out the ear buds I hadn’t noticed she was wearing. Hailee’s shoulders stiffened as if she sensed me, and she glanced over her shoulder. “Get out.” Her voice was cold, her eyes not much warmer as they locked on mine.
Throwing up my hands in surrender, I said, “I come in peace.”
“Do you take me for a complete fool?”
The verdict was out on that. The way she’d flipped Jason and Asher’s little prank earlier was reckless. Amusing as shit, but reckless all the same.
“I’m here to run damage control.”
“Damage control?” Her brow shot up, and Hailee swung her leg off the chair to stand up and face me. “We’re not friends,” she said lifting her chin in defiance, and my dick twitched.
Jesus, this girl made me crazy.
“No, we’re not.” But there had been a time when I’d wanted that—to be her friend.
Fuck, I shouldn’t have come here. Scrubbing a hand over my face, I released a frustrated breath.
“What do you want, Cameron?” Hailee folded her arms over her chest, cocking her hip to one side. “I’m busy.”
“You need to back down, Sunshine,” I said, and her honey-brown eyes flashed with contempt. Damn this girl. This stubborn reckless girl. I hadn’t realized but I’d started moving toward her as if she was reeling me in with some invisible thread.
“Cameron, what are you…” She swallowed, staring up at me as I stopped right in front of her. The air shifted around us, thick and heavy. I’d always kept my distance from Hailee. Looked but never touched. But standing here with her right there, I wanted to touch… fuck did I want to touch her.
Surprising us both, I reached out, plucking a strand of hair between my fingers. “Back. Down.” I said quietly despite the warning woven into my words. “Jase needs to focus on the team, on the season; he doesn’t need to be distracted with your games.”
Her gaze widened, her soft-pink lips parted as she sucked in a sharp breath and swatted my hand away. “My games?” She almost choked on the words. “Fuck you, Cameron. You know this is all his fault. He’s always hated me. He pushes and pushes. But I won’t break. I’ll never break.” Hailee trembled, the vibrations rippling off her.
“Are you sure about that?” I cocked a brow at her, stepping further into her space, forcing her backward. Her legs must have hit the chair because she stumbled. My hand flew out to her waist, steadying her, and tiny bolts of electricity zipped through me as our eyes collided. Hailee stared at me, her gaze wide and clouded with confusion. Shit. She’d felt it too. I’d felt it Monday as well, the morning when I’d teased her about her t-shirt.
This was bad… really fucking bad.
Yet, I made no move to pull away. Pull away dickhead.
“Cameron. What the hell are you—”
I lowered my head, bringing us face to face. Her eyes simmered with anger, but I didn’t miss the way her breath caught again. “Walk away, Sunshine. Jase will get bored eventually if you just back the fuck down.”
“Been there, done that, and it didn’t fucking work,” she seethed. “Two words… Macauley Denver, remember that?”
Remember it?
I’d been plagued with the memories for weeks.
Ignoring her, I said, “One of you needs to back down before shit really hits the fan, and we both know he won’t walk away.”
Jase played with Hailee, but it was all harmless shit. Sure, she might have got her feelings hurt occasionally or suffered the odd embarrassment at the hands of the kids at school, but it could have been worse… so much worse.
This time was different though. Last season had been tough on Jason. Tensions between the Raiders and the Rixon East Eagles were higher than ever, and he was gunning for blood. I knew it was likely Hailee would be caught in the crossfire. Jason used her as his own personal punching bag. But after calling him out earlier in the cafeteria… Hailee might as well have been the red flag and Jase the bull. I didn’t doubt he was already planning his retribution. And, this time, it wouldn’t be some childish prank.
She inhaled a harsh breath and my eyes automatically went to her mouth. I closed the distance between us until my lips were hovering right over hers. “Last warning, Sunshine,” I whispered, so close I could almost taste her. “Back down or don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Her palms shot out, slamming against my chest and I staggered back. “Fuck you, Cameron. Fuck all of you.”
“Hailee, come on—”
I hadn’t meant to use her name, it just tumbled off my lips. But she cut me off. “Get out. Get out before I scream, and I will. I’ll do it. You might be a Raider, but I don’t care.” Her eyes were wild, drilling into mine with such hatred my stomach knotted. But it was a good thing. She needed to hate me.
With a smirk, I started backing away. “Don’t come crying to me when he ruins you.”
Her face blanched and I knew she remembered every prank, every time Jase came after her. Before she could ream me out some more, I slipped out of the room and got the hell out of the art studio.
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
Little sister?He was barely two months older than me.“Yeah, like Jenna Jarvis’ pussy,” Asher snickered, and I shot him a disgusted look. “What?” He pouted.“You’re a pig.”“Naw, baby, I’m a Raider and we know how to ride real damn—”“Let’s get out of here already, I’m fucking bored.” Cameron started walking away. Asher blew Flick a kiss before taking off after his friend, but Jason hovered. His eyes still trained right on me.“What?” I barked.Without another word, he shook his head and went after them.“And you want to embrace that?” I said incredulously, dropping back down on the bench.“I didn’t… I’m not… God, you’re right,” Flick said, her cheeks still pink. But as I watched her watching the three of them stalk off toward Asher’s car, laughing and joking, I realized she did want that. She wanted to go to their stupid party and get drunk and make out with some random guy. Maybe even make out with one of them. I suppressed a shudder.I’d been so consumed with the rivalry between m
His eyes lingered on me a second longer, then he spun around and followed Asher. I sagged back against the counter, releasing the breath I’d been holding. Jase didn’t get it. He didn’t get why anything would take precedence over football. Over college. I guess that’s what made him different—what gave him an edge other players didn’t have. He was detached enough from life to make the sacrifices required, and then some. He didn’t worry about family because his team, football, was his family. I guess he’d learned that from his dad. But my dad hadn’t been a rising football star, and although he supported me, supported the team, he also had other things going on that required his attention.Sometimes, it felt like I was standing at a crossroads: one foot planted firmly in my dreams of football and college and the promise of going all the way to the NFL; the other remaining rooted in real life where dreams didn’t always come true and life wasn’t always fair. And balancing the two… well, it
With Miley I felt no expectation, no pressure to promise things I couldn’t give her. We hooked up, used each other to escape, just for a little while. And when we were done, we went our separate ways until the next time.“Why so glum, Chase? It’s senior year,” she said looking out over the party.“Do you ever get tired of it?” I asked her quietly.“I get tired of not being able to eat what I want when I want, if that’s what you mean?” Miley let out a long groan. “What I wouldn’t give to be able to go to Pepe’s Pizza and eat a whole pepperoni and onion to myself and then make myself sick on cookie dough ice-cream. But it’s the sacrifice we make.” She glanced at me, smiling.“A little birdie told me you’re going to commit early to Alabama?”“That birdie would be right.”“Nice.” I envied her being so sure, so certain of her future.“It’s a big move but it’s the best program in the country, and I want to be the best.” She gave me a warm smile. “What about you? A little birdie, also known
Flick hiccupped again before handing me the cannister and sticker. “Are you absolutely sure about this?”“Do you even need to ask?”“I guess not. But, Hails, you don’t need to do this, not for me.”“Hush now, I need to concentrate.” I read the instructions again, my glassy eyes making everything a little blurred. When I was sure I had it, I gave Flick my attention. “Wait here, okay? I won’t be long.” Slipping my hood over my head, I pulled the cord to conceal as much of my face as possible and slowly inched from the trees.The front of the house was steeped in darkness; all noise and music coming from around the back. I’d never been in Asher’s house before, but everyone knew his parents were rich. I had overheard kids at school talk about his infamous parties down by the lake his property backed onto. My eyes darted left and right, making sure no one was around, before I cut across the driveway to the row of cars. Asher’s Jeep, Cameron’s truck, and finally my target: Jason’s restored
But screw that.And screw him.“Then maybe you should rein your boy in.” I jabbed my finger at him. “I can take him messing with me. But not Flick. She’s not a part of this.”He leaned in, curling his fingers around mine. “And you don’t think when he finds out you did this, he’ll come after you with everything he’s got? Think about it, Sunshine.”“Stop calling me that.” I couldn’t think straight when he said it.Cameron’s mouth curved, only a fraction, but enough for me to know he was enjoying this. Asshole. He was just like my step-brother. Worse even, because there had been a time when I truly believed he was different. But I was young and foolish and I’d learned my lesson where Cameron Chase was concerned.“What are you going to do?” He frowned at that, so I added, “Are you going to tell him?”“Let me worry about Jason, you just worry about yourself.”“What the hell does that mean?”More voices pierced the air and Cameron glanced to the gate beside the garage. “Shit,” he mumbled. “