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RUINED HOPES 87
“That was… wow.”I crawled up her body, kissing her. Ashleigh kissed me back just as fiercely, running her hands over my shoulders, the back of my neck. Her touch didn’t scare me anymore; it made me feel strong. Alive.For the first time in my life, I felt whole.“I love you, Ezra.”I kissed her, trying to show her what she meant to me. Trying to show her everything I couldn’t yet say but felt in my soul.Ashleigh hitched her legs around my hips, grinding against me, seeking more. I rocked into her, growing hard all over again.“I want you,” I whispered. “All of you.”“I’m yours.”I saw it then. The promise of forever in her eyes. Ashleigh loved me with everything that she was. Even at my worst, she’d still decided to stand by me.I didn’t deserve her, but one way or another, I’d earn her love.I couldn’t stop trembling as I removed the final barrier between us and settled back over her body. Grasping myself, I slid one hand under her thigh and stilled, forcing myself to take a breath
RUINED HOPES 88
“You’re letting me use your body as a bed, that means something.”“Yeah, it does. And for as much as I could stay out here forever with you, it’s late and I don’t want to piss off your dad on our first date.”“Guess I’d better not tell him you made me come three times then.”“Three?” His brow arched with smug amusement. “It was at least four, wasn’t it?”“I’m pretty sure it was only three.”“Is that right?” Ezra worked his hand between our bodies and found my center, sliding his finger inside me. My breath caught in my throat as he stretched me. “Better make sure it’s four then.”“Good morning, sweetheart,” Mom said as I entered the kitchen. “How was your hot date?”“Mom!” My cheeks burned.“What? It was just a question.” She hid her grin behind a gallery brochure.“It was really nice, Mom.”“I’m happy for you, baby. But remember to take things slow. You’ve both been through so much…”“You don’t need to worry,” I said, bending to kiss her cheek. “We’re going at our own pace.”“Good. Y
RUINED HOPES 89
A second later, the door swung open, and John Carrick and his son stepped out. John shook Coach’s hand, the two of them wearing grim expressions. Carrick’s glare cut to me, narrowing with contempt.“Looks like that went well,” Aaron whispered.Coach saw them both out and made his way over. “Ezra, I’m glad you’re here.”“What was all that about?”“You don’t need to worry about Nathan or his father anymore.”“What did you do?” My brow arched.“Everyone has secrets they would rather keep buried, son. You just have to know where to look. I gave Nathan the choice as to whether or not he remains a Raider. But if he does, he understands that this is my team and you’re a part of that.” He gave me a small nod. “Get changed and I’ll see you both out on the field.”“Hey, Coach,” I called after him.“Yeah?”“Why’d you do it? Why go to all this trouble for me?”“Because you’re family, Ezra. And I protect my family—always.”Jase walked back to his office.“Now do you believe me?” Aaron said with a
RUINED HOPES 90
“No, I’m here… with somebody.”“You are?” My brows went up. “Is this a joke? Because you’re sitting here all—”“Ashleigh?”Gav snickered as I turned to find Penelope standing there. “You,” I said.“Hey, I hope this is okay. The guys thought it might—”“Hold on a second, you’re Gav’s date?”“Surprise.” He grinned, but I wasn’t grinning. I was frowning.“I’m confused.” I sank back into the leather seat, and Ezra took my hand in his.“You knew I liked her,” Gav said with complete honesty.“Yeah, but isn’t this… weird?” I looked at all of them. Penelope gave me a shy smile.“It’s only weird if we make it weird. I’m happy for you, Ashleigh. Ezra deserves to have someone like you in his life.”“I… thank you. And you,” I jabbed my finger at Gav. “You didn’t think to tell me this earlier?”“And miss your reaction?” Amusement glittered in his eyes, but then his expression softened. “Honestly, I didn’t think you would agree to come.”He was right, I would never have agreed.“This is a good thin
RUINED HOPES 91
Ezra“Fuck,” I grunted as the ball rebounded off my shoulder.“Seriously, bro, get your head in the game,” Aaron said.“Sorry, I was…”“Daydreaming about a certain girl, no doubt,” he scoffed.“It’s her birthday soon. I need to get her something.”“Hell yeah, you do. And it needs to be epic since she decided to forgive your sorry ass.”I scowled at him, and he grinned. “Relax, I’m just busting your balls. I can help you shop for her if you want. I’m good at stuff like that.”“That’s just… weird.”He shrugged. “Fine, I won’t help. But don’t blame me when she kicks your ass for getting her some lame gift.”Coach yelled time and we both jogged over to the water station. “Have you talked to Poppy yet?”“Nah,” he said. “I’m letting her cool off.”“You know Zara is telling anyone who will listen that you screwed her over.”A dark shadow passed over him as he let out a weary sigh. “She’s a bitch. I never should have gone there.”“You need to fix it with Poppy, and soon.”“Since when do you c
RUINED HOPES 92
“I get it,” she said, eyes soft with understanding. “And I think it’s a good idea. To ask them to handle it, I mean. But if you ever change your mind or feel in a place where you’re ready to talk to her, just know that I’ll always be there, right by your side.”Fuck. This girl. Just when I thought she couldn’t blow my mind any more than she already had, she went and said something so perfect, it slayed me.“What?” she smiled shyly at me.“You, buttercup. Just you.”My best friend.My anchor.The girl who saved me.Aaron“Yo, Bennet, what’s—”“Not now, I have something I need to do.” I gave the guys from the team a two fingered salute as I went in search of Poppy.Things had been all wrong between us since the semester started.She was my best friend but somewhere along the way, the lines had become blurred. I needed to fix it, I needed to explain to her that I was feeling the pressure.It was senior year, and my last season as a Rixon Raider. Coach Ford was relying on me. He’d named m
RUINED HOPES 1
ProloguePain.That’s all I could feel.Excruciating, blistering pain.“H-help…” I forced the word from my lips in an agonizing breath. My lungs felt tight, burning me from the inside out.Something was wrong.Very wrong.I tried to shift against the crushing weight, but pain lashed up and down my spine, exploding inside me.A whimper tore from my throat.“A-Ashleigh,” a voice called out to me from the darkness. “Fuck.”Something crackled. Heat licking up my skin. I tried to strain against the darkness again, but it was futile.I couldn’t see.I was powerless. Alone.Except, I wasn’t alone… was I?“H-help,” I choked out again, blindly trying to reach out and find something—anything—to help me.Think, dammit. Think, Ashleigh.But it hurt too much.Everything hurt.My limbs, my muscles, my head. At least I could feel everything. My arms and legs, fingers and toes. Everything felt whole.That was a good sign, wasn’t it?Wasn’t it?“Ashleigh,” a voice cried out from the darkness. “Hold on
RUINED HOPES 2
“Everyone’s worried sick,” Mom said, eventually breaking the heavy silence. “Avery spent the first three nights camped downstairs in the family room. He point blank refused to leave.”“H-he did?” My brother was supposed to be in Indiana, so it touched my heart knowing he’d rushed back to be at my side.“I don’t want him jeopardizing his junior year,” I said. Avery played football for Notre Dame and had a real shot at going pro. “Once he’s seen I’m okay, he needs to go back. I won’t be the reason he messes up his—”They shared a strange look.“What?” I asked.“Nothing, sweetheart.” Mom squeezed my hand.Just then, the doctor came into the room. At least, I assumed he was the doctor given his appearance. “Ah, Ashleigh, it’s so good to see you’re awake.” He greeted my parents before his attention came back to me. “I need to examine you, Ashleigh, if that’s okay?”“Yes, of course.”“It shouldn’t take long. Did your parents fill you in on what happened?”“I was in an accident.”“You were.
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