True. I did. Lists kept me organized; reminded me of things I needed to do. Lists for the grocery store. Lists of the celebrities I crushed on. Not to mention my senior year bucket list.Lists made me happy.“You’re right. I am an excellent maker of the lists. It’s an undervalued talent for sure.”“Oh come on.” She nudged my shoulder. “You know what I mean. Just because you’re not really good at one thing doesn’t mean you’re not good at lots of little things.”“Yeah, you’re right.” My smile was forced, the knot in my stomach tightening.It wasn’t that I was jealous of Hailee, I wasn’t. She was gifted and I was excited for the Seniors Night unveiling. For her. But it only heightened my self-awareness of how lacking I was. It was senior year. The year of college applications and chasing future dreams. A future my parents had all planned out for me since the womb. They wanted me to follow family tradition; attend UPenn, get my business degree and work some white-collar job in the city.B

One of their players was glaring over at me. I stood taller, tipping my chin slightly, sending him a silent ‘fuck you’. He narrowed his eyes, pointing his finger at me before dragging it across his throat.“Yo, Coach?” I asked one of our assistant coaches. “Number twenty-three. What position is he playing?”“Linebacker,” he said warily. “Should I be concerned?”“Nah, Coach. Just wondered.”He gave me a pointed look. “No bullshit out there, okay?”“Did I hear someone say bullshit?” Coach Hasson called us in. “Listen up. Millington came here to win. If they don’t, they can kiss a shot at the play-offs goodbye. So that means they’ll be gunning for blood. Your blood. You hear me?” We nodded. “They’re desperate and desperate men will do anything to get the win. Keep your cool and don’t get dragged into their games. That goes for you too, QB.”“Yes, Sir.” My eyes flicked over to Millington. Like us, they were now huddled around their coach, who was no doubt telling them to use every trick i

When I reached Jason the words, “Where’s Asher’s Jeep?” fell from my lips.“I drove.”“Oh,” I said, eyeing his car.Jason kicked the gravel, sending a plume of dust into the air. Everything about him screamed ‘stay away’. A murderous expression. Waves of anger rippling off him. The way his jaw clenched so tight it looked painful.He was a nuclear bomb just waiting to detonate.And suddenly, I didn’t want to ride anywhere with them. Even if Hailee had driven us here and was now attending to Cameron’s needs.“Change of plan.” Asher sauntered up to us, his lip in a grim line. “My parents are on their... aaaaand here they are.” Headlights illuminated the three of us, and I glanced over to where his gaze was fixed.“They want to take me to dinner.”“They do?” My expression must have given me away because Asher chuckled.“Don’t look so worried, Jase can take you home. Can’t you, QB?”The guy in question grunted something inaudible.“I can walk,” I rushed out, wanting nothing more than the g

“So fucking wet,” he said gruffly, not giving me chance to catch my breath or process what was happening, as he pressed a finger inside me.“Oh God,” I moaned, rocking against his hand, needing more.Needing so much more.My head dropped back, exposing my neck and collarbone to him. Answering my silent plea, Jason dipped his head kissing the hollow of my throat, sucking gently. Driving me wild.“Jase,” I panted, the intrusion of a second finger making me wince. But only for a second, as pleasure flowed through me like a gentle wave.I was lost in the intense sensations. The warm current flowing between us, through us. The intimate position. The feel of his hot mouth around my breast as he worked his fingers inside me, circling his thumb over my clit.“I’m so close,” I whispered, barely able to recognize my own voice. My legs began to shake as Jason went deeper, harder. I’d never let anyone touch me like this before. Not the way Jason did. As if it wasn’t about my pleasure at all, but

“I know Aimee hurt—”“You think this has fuck all to do with Aimee? She was nothing but a conniving piece of shit like her brother.”“Jase, come on, this is me. You don’t need to put—”“Aimee was a mistake.” A huge fucking mistake that came back around to bite me in the ass. If I’d have known she was Thatcher’s sister from the get go, I never would have looked at her, let alone touched her.“It’s okay to admit you felt something...” Cameron trailed off when I glared at him. Hard. He didn’t get it. I didn’t want to feel. I didn’t want to care about anyone other than myself and my future. Caring made you vulnerable. It opened you up to a whole world of hurt I had no interest in feeling. Besides, when I cradled the leather ball in my hands, I had everything I needed.“Okay, I won’t say another word. But you should still come sit with us. I know it’d mean a lot to Hailee.” Cam stalked back to their booth, and I let my eyes drift over to them. Hailee was gazing up at him with stars in her