“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
“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
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’
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
CAMERON“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 g
“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