“THIS IS THE LIFE,” ASHER SAID AS HE LAID BACK ON THE LOUNGER, FOLDING HIS ARMS BEHIND HIS head.
He wasn’t wrong.
His family’s place in the Hamptons was something else. We’d been out here before, him, Jason, and me, but this time was different. Better. This time we had our girls with us, and it was our final summer together before we went off to college. Hailee and I were heading to Michigan next week to get settled before classes started. Then Jason and Felicity would be moving to UPenn in a couple of weeks, with Asher and Mya across the river at Temple University.
It was the end of an era. No more Raiders, no more high school, but a new adventure.
I flicked my eyes to Jason who was sat in a chair, elbows propped on his thighs, chin resting on his fists. “They’ll be okay, you know.” I chuckled, sliding my gaze to where the girls were currently dipping their toes at the water’s edge.
“It’s not them I’m worried about,” he grunted. “It’s them.” Jason tipped his head to where a group of guys were checking out our girlfriends, clearly unaware that we were sitting in wait.
“You need to lighten up.” I gave him a pointed look. “Soon we’ll be at college and you know there’s going to be plenty more where that came from.”
“Ugh, don’t remind me.” Jason Ford, prodigal son of football and Rixon’s golden boy pouted.
“For real, you’re worried about college dick?” Asher asked. “Felicity has your tattoo on her skin.
She’s not going anywhere.”
Jase reared back. “Of course she’s not fucking going anywhere. But it’s college. Coach Hasson ran a tight ship, but it’ll be a whole other level at college. I can’t expect her to sit around and wait for me.”
“Well, no, she’ll probably do that thing called make friends. I’ve heard all the kids are doing it.” Laughter rumbled in Asher’s chest.
“Fuck you.” Jase kicked his lounger and Asher almost went flying.
“You’re really going to have to learn to rein in Mr. Possessive Asshat, you know?” I said.
“Just put a ring on it, then every fucker will know she’s taken.”
“Don’t be stupid, he’s not going to—” My brows pinched. “Jase, man, please tell me you’re not actually considering it. We’re eighteen.”
“Like you wouldn’t put a ring on Hailee’s finger in a heartbeat.” He had a point.
But we had time. I wanted us to both enjoy each other first. Fuck knows we’d earned it.
Jase shot up out of his seat. “He’s dead.”
“Whoa.” I leaped up after him, blocking his way forward. “They’re talking.” Glancing back, I watched the group of guys laugh with the girls. It seemed harmless enough... until one of them made a beeline for Hailee.
“Let’s go,” I growled, possessiveness streaking through me.
“I guess I’d better come make sure the two of you don’t do something stu—Oh, hell no.” Asher whipped off his sunglasses and gawked in their direction, watching as one of the guys offered to put lotion on Mya’s shoulders.
“I’ll take the two on the left.” He barged past us. “You two take the others.”
“Come on, don’t be like that. Just because you got guys waiting for you doesn’t mean we can’t hang out.”
“Is this asshole for real?” Mya arched a brow.
“Bitch please, you should—”
“Oh, hell no, you did not just call her a bitch.” Flick stepped up to the douchebag and glared at him. “My boyfriend would kick your ass all over this beach.”
“I’d like to see him try.” The guy laughed, glancing at his friends who chuckled.
“That can be arranged,” Jason, Cam, and Asher closed in around them.
“Oh, hey, babe.” Flick grinned. “This is Tom. He was just telling us how he thinks we should ditch you guys and hang out with them instead.”
Mya shot me a knowing look. Flick was a bit of a loose cannon where Jason was concerned. It was crazy, but she loved his possessive alpha side. She said it got her all hot for him, so I was hardly surprised she was enjoying this.
“Flick,” I warned, because while she might have enjoyed seeing her guy get pissed, it usually didn’t end well for everyone else.
Cameron moved around us, pulling me into his side. “Hi.” He smiled down at me as if we were the only two people on the overcrowded beach.
“Hi.” My fingers splayed over his hard abs, loving how warm his skin felt. “We should probably intervene,” I whispered, “before he does something stupid.”
Jason was all up in the guy’s face, eyes narrowed dangerously. “I suggest you take a walk, now.”
The air crackled around them and I silently willed the guy to walk off. This was supposed to be a relaxing weekend before we all went our separate ways. I didn’t want to have to call Kent to bail his son out of county jail for assault.
Thankfully, the douche must have recognized the emergence of Jason’s dark side because his hands went up. “Shit, yeah, man, my bad.” They started backing up.
“Yeah, you’d better run,” Flick yelled.
“Seriously,” I said. “Do you have to provoke him?”
She shrugged, launching herself into Jason’s arms. “It’s all the testosterone. It gets me hot.” “Gets you wet more like.” Jase nipped her bottom lip before capturing her lips with his.
“I love you guys, but that was too much information,” Mya grumbled.
“Jealous, babe?” Asher prowled toward her. “Because I’m pretty sure I can help you out with
that.”
“Asher, don’t you dare.” She backed further into the water’s edge.
“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 friendand 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
“It’s okay,” I said, forcing a weak smile. “Nine hours is nothing. We can still see each other at the weekend and at holidays.”“Damn right we can.” Asher tipped his beer at us. “Nothing, not college, distance or time, is going to ruin this.”His words settled over the six of us, turning the air thick with anticipation.College was a big step. Things would change. We would change.But was Asher right?Were the bonds between us strong enough to survive?PART ISophomore YearJASON“OKAY, GATHER ROUND,” COACH FAULKNER CALLED US IN, AND WE FELL INTO POSITION AROUND HIM. Shoulder to shoulder, teammate to teammate. The anticipation of a new season was thick in the air. Last season, as a freshman, I’d been so close to tasting victory, but in the end it had been Cornell who took the title.It had been a bitter pill to swallow. I wanted to be the best, to win, to prove myself.But this year… this year it was ours. We were thirsty for it: training harder, pushing harder. I might have only been
“Jason...” I smiled so wide my cheeks hurt. “That’s amazing. I’m so freakin’ proud of you.” I slung my arms around his neck and crushed him to me, peppering his face in sloppy kisses. “My boyfriend, QB One and captain of the Penn Quakers.”But he didn’t revel in my excitement. He was still and quiet.Too quiet.“Jase?” I held him at arm’s length. “What is it?”“What if I’m not ready? What if I screw it up? Fuck, you should have seen the way they were all looking at me. As if I had the answers, the power to make things happen.”“Babe, listen to me and listen good. You, Jason Ford, are one of the best quarterbacks in the country right now. You came into a well-established team and proved yourself in your freshman year. You ranked third for the most passing yards in a single season.” Pride flooded me. “Third, babe.That’s huge. Not to mention the fact you blew the Quakers passing yards record out of the water.”Jason was already in the Penn Quaker Hall of Fame; he’d already made Quaker h
“I can feel you, Felicity, feel you squeezing my dick.” He whispered the dirty words against my ear as I unraveled. “Come for me, babe. Come all around my…” I shattered around him, crying out his name, over and over.Jason flattened himself against me, slamming into me with renewed vigor as I rode the lingering waves of pleasure.His body locked up tight, his jaw tense with concentration as he jerked inside me.We lay there, silent and sated and I’d never felt happier. We’d had an amazing freshman year together, and now we had three years of living as a couple, in a cute little off-campus apartment a few minutes’ walk away from Penn.But no matter how happy I was, how madly in love with Jason I was, there was always a little voice of doubt in the back of my mind.Jason was already Quaker royalty. In one season he had won the hearts of his teammates, coaches, and fans. And now he was captain. He would soon be thrust into the public eye more than ever.No matter how hard I wanted to bel
“Sounds good.” Some of the tension left me. Darcy was my tutor. This was strictly a business relationship. Jason couldn’t get pissed about that. Besides, he knew I was his.I felt a lick of determination skitter up my spine. I needed this if I was going to be able to survive sophomore year. I needed help.And Darcy Bannerman came highly recommended.After almost two hours, and a rigorous plan, Darcy and I packed away our things and left the coffee shop. “So I’ll see you Wednesday?” he said, waiting for me to move ahead of him. “Sounds good,” I said, ducking around him and stumbling straight into— “Jason?”“Hey,” he shot me a smile that made my knees weak. “How was tutoring?” His arms went around me, as he dipped his head to kiss me.“It was good. I... uh... this is Darcy, my tutor.” I wriggled free of his grasp to step aside and introduce them.The second Jason’s eyes landed on Darcy his expression darkened. “You’re the tutor?” “Darcy Bannerman.” He held out his hand. “You must be the
My jaw clenched as I pictured that fucker’s face. I didn’t know him from Adam, but I already didn’t like him. He’d be spending time with Felicity. My woman, the other half of my fucking soul.Possessive asshole or not, I was not okay with some guy spending quality time alone with my girl. “It’s just tutoring.” He snorted. “You don’t have anything to worry about.” “Don’t I?” My brow rose.Felicity was gorgeous. All seductive curves and wild spirit. I saw guys around campus watching her, wishing they could have a taste. They soon backed the fuck off when they saw me, but still.“Seriously, bro, Fee wouldn’t look twice at another guy. She doesn’t get all crazy possessive when we hang out with the cheer squad.”Oh, she did. I just didn’t advertise the fact. Freshman year, Felicity had almost attacked a girl for trying to get my number at a party. Instead, I’d dragged her to the nearest bedroom and fucked the anger right out of her.Our love was like wildfire. It burned constantly. Throw w
“Didn’t think so.” Jason kissed the end of my nose. “Hey, Hugh, get my girl a drink,” he called over to the bartender.“Sure thing. Your regular, Fee?”I nodded. “So, what have you guys been talking about in my absence?”“Oh, you know, trying to deflate this one’s head since he got promoted to captain.” Asher pinched Jase’s cheek, and he batted him away. “How does it feel to wear the crown?” “Asher,” Mya sighed.“He knows I’m proud. I’m like the proud brother he never had. But that shit’s got to weigh a ton.”“I was born ready,” Jason said, but I saw the tightness in his eyes. He was having doubts about his ability to lead.We all knew he had nothing to worry about though because he was born ready.“That’s the spirit, bro.” Asher clapped him on the shoulder. “Now Fee is here, we should toast.” “We don’t need to—”“To Jason,” he thrust his beer in the air, “may your leadership be firm and your game strong.Congratulations, man.”JASONI tried to heed Asher and Gio’s words. Every day we
“Half the girls here want him.”My lips pressed into a thin line, but Jordan only laughed.“He loves you; everyone can see that. You have nothing to worry about.”I liked Jordan. She was one of my few girlfriends here. It wasn’t that I’d purposefully avoided making friends during freshman year, just it was hard when your boyfriend was the new football star. Girls either looked at me as the competition or they were brazened enough to try to use me as a steppingstone to get to Jason and his friends. I’d quickly given up trying to form genuine friendships. I had Jordan and Mya, and I spoke to Hailee all the time despite the nine-hour distance between us.“It’s just... a lot,” I whispered the confession, hating myself for even saying the words.Jason gave me no reason to worry. He was unwavering in his love for me. But as I watched the team celebrate; watched the cheer squad lick their lips and bat their eyelashes in his direction; listened to thousands of people chant his name; I couldn’