“I promise to get drunk and try to feel you up.” He winked and I caught Jase stiffen. I was missing something. Something that involved my two best friends and Felicity. But before I could try to figure out what the fuck was going on, Jase said, “Let’s go then.”
We followed him, as if the five of us, together, was just business as usual.
“Let me guess, this is on your list?”
“List, what list?” I asked Hailee, overhearing her and Felicity’s conversation, as we reached the door to Bell’s.
“Hmm, I didn’t realize you were there.” Hailee glanced back at me, her eyes wide as if she’d been caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
“Where did you think I was?”
“Already inside with Asher and Jason.”
“I’ll always be wherever you are.” I leaned down, kissing her. In truth, I’d called Dad to check in on Mom, but he assured me she was fine, and Xander was with Katie. After the hardest week of our lives, he wanted—no, demanded—I try to enjoy a night with my girlfriend and friends.
“Oh God, I need a drink. Something strong. It’s true the owner doesn’t card the team here, right?”
I chuckled, still kissing Hailee. She broke away, looking at her friend. “You want to drink? Here?”
Felicity shrugged. “Desperate times, Hails, desperate times.” She slipped inside leaving me and Hailee alone.
“She’s acting strange.” Hailee released a frustrated breath, and I hesitated, wondering whether or not to reveal my theory. “Cameron?”
Busted.
“So I, uh, I think something might be going on with Felicity and the guys.”
“The guys?” Hailee blanched. “What do you mean the guys?”
“Asher and Jase.”
“You think... no...” Strangled laughter spilled out of her. “Flick wouldn’t go anywhere near Jason, and this thing with her and Asher is a joke. It’s just a joke. I mean, it’s Asher, he’s...”
“Okay.” I dipped my head to hers. “Just breathe. I’m
probably wrong. It’s probably nothing.” I was pretty sure it wasn’t nothing, but I could tell Hailee wasn’t ready to hear it.
“Of course, you’re wrong. She wouldn’t... nope, I just can’t.” Hailee shook her head, a look of alarm plastered over her face before entering Bell’s. I followed, regretting saying anything. But I knew Jase and I knew Ash and I’d sensed something going on for a while. And if I was right, it had disaster written all over it.
The second I stepped inside the bar, a wall of cheers and applause greeted me. Jase and Ash stood front and center, the rest of the team gathered behind them all chanting my name. I might not have been on the field tonight, helping them secure the win taking them one step closer to State, but this was their way of including me. Of showing me that no matter what happened from here on out I was still part of the team.
Still family.
“Good to see you, man.” Grady came up to me, pulling me into a guy hug. “We heard about your mom. If there’s anything I can do.”
“Thanks, man, I appreciate it,” I choked out the words over the lump in my throat. Kaiden was next, and then Mackey and some of the other sophomores. Each of them offered their words of support, each of them reminding me why I’d loved football so much, for as long as I could remember.
Because it was more than just a game.
It was more than the high of the win or the pain of the loss. It was brotherhood, and family, and knowing you had each other’s backs no matter what.
“Hey.” Hailee appeared at my side when the guys finally let me have some space. “Are you okay?”
“Actually yeah, I am.” I kissed her, not caring who could see us, earning us another round of applause. Her fingers twisted into my jersey and when she pulled away, the cutest blush was smattered along her cheeks. “Oh God, that was so embarrassing,” she murmured.
“You’re a Raider now,” I said fighting a smirk as I tucked her into my side, guiding us over to Jase, Ash, and Felicity.
“I guess I can thank the two of you for the warm welcome?” I asked the guys.