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 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.”
Hailee
“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.