The Trouble With You

by L A Cotton

  We all did.

  Asher whistled through his teeth. “Shit, that girl’s got balls of steel.”

  “She’s going to need them,” Jase grumbled as if he knew—and accepted—it was only going to get worse.

  Well, screw that.

  “It’s so sad,” Jenna said, twirling her hair around her fingers. “She could have been one of us, but instead she chose to fuck Thatcher just to get one over on—”

  Jase shoved her off his lap and she landed on the bench beside him with a thud. “Ow, Jase, what the hell was that for?”

  “I’m bored.” His voice was cold. “Run along now.”

  “You bastard.” Jenna kept her voice composed, but her cheeks flamed with embarrassment as she beckoned for her friends to follow her, and they sauntered away, trying to retain some dignity. Some of the guys howled with laughter but soon shut up when Jase sent them a hard glare down the table.

  My eyes found Hailee across the room again. She had her head down, pushing a salad around her plate. “We should go over there.”

  “Did you get hit a little too hard in practice?” Jase snorted.

  “I’m just saying, if we don’t do something to end this, it’s going to get a whole lot worse before it gets better. And if it gets that bad, and the wrong teacher overhears something, it could land on Finnigan’s desk. And that is trouble we don’t need.”

  My best friend regarded me for a second, scrubbing his face. “Fucking girls,” Jase mumbled, shoving off the bench. He stood up and glanced back at the two of us, “Come on then, I’m not doing this shit alone.”

  “Oh, hells yeah, I’m in. Maybe I can tap up Felic—”

  “She’s off-limits,” Jase barked.

  “She is?” Asher jerked back as if he’d been slapped. “But why? I thought everyone except Hailee was fair game?”

  “Because I said so, jackass.”

  Asher threw up his hands in surrender, his lips twitching.

  When we reached their table, Hailee and her friend gawked up at us. “Yes?” she said flatly. “Can we help you?”

  “No, but I think we can help you.” Jase dropped down beside Felicity. Her eyes widened, glancing between him and Hailee and back again.

  “What is happening right now?”

  “You need us,” he said as if it was that simple.

  “Hmm, no,” Hailee quipped. “No, we don’t.”

  “That’s not what he thinks.” Jase flicked his head over where the guy who she’d slapped watched us. The little fucker looked ready to piss himself, his eyes darting to the ground when I narrowed my gaze right on him.

  “Pfft,” Hailee grumbled. “I handled him just fine.”

  “That you did, Hails,” Asher added, sliding in next to her. I sat on her other side, watching her out of the corner of my eye.

  “Don’t call me that,” she said, a defensive edge to her voice. “We’re not friends.”

  “Looks like we are from where I’m sitting.” He grinned.

  “If I recall.” Hailee glared at him. “None of this would be happening if you hadn’t gate-crashed their party and started brawling with Thatch—”

  “Brawling?” Asher quipped as Jase sat back, watching her with a dark expression. “Naw, baby, that wasn’t a brawl, that was just the warm up.”

  Hailee sneered, her eyes quickly moving to her step-brother. “This has been fun and all, but you can go now.” She wiggled her fingers in a wave.

  “Yeah, I’m thinking this was a bad idea. I’m out.” Jase got up and walked off while Asher threw me a ‘what should we do now?’ look. But before I could say anything, Hailee levelled me with a cold look, and said, “I don’t know what this is, but I don’t need you to pretend to be friends with me. I managed just fine without you all this time; I think I’ll survive this.”

  “Fine,” I said, realizing maybe Jase was right. Maybe coming over here was a huge fucking mistake. “Have it your way, Sunshine. Ash, let’s go.”

  “But…” His eyes flicked to Felicity, but when I shook my head, he let out a long breath. “Fine, I’m coming. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t, ladies. See you around.”

  Everyone watched as we stalked away from Hailee and her friend, but they could look. If she was too stubborn to admit she needed us, then we’d just have to go around her.

  “She’s a handful,” Asher muttered as he shouldered the door. “But her friend is quiet. I like that. Means she’s probably a real freak between—”

  “Do you think with anything other than your dick?”

  “Football and pussy.” He shrugged, a lazy grin splitting his face. “What else is there?”

  I wanted to tell him that, one day, he’d meet a girl who made everything else pale into insignificance. A girl who would get under his skin and gnaw away at his soul. But he wasn’t ready to hear the words… and I wasn’t ready to admit I knew what the hell I was talking about. So instead, I slung my arm around his shoulder and said, “Come on, Casanova, we should probably show up for a class or two.”

  Our little stunt at lunch calmed the vicious rumors spreading through the halls, but it still didn’t stop some guys, and girls, thinking they could talk about Hailee like she was the town slut.

  “You need to do something,” I urged Jase as we walked from last period to the locker room.

  “Tried that, and she threw it back in my face.”

  “So, give the word for the team to quash the rumors.”

  He glared at me. “Why are you so worked up over this? It was just a photo.”

  “And you’re okay with everyone thinking Hailee gives it up to the Eagles? To Thatcher?” My brow rose, challenging him. It wasn’t like I could tell him the truth; that every time I heard someone call her a slut or whore, I wanted to break their face. He wouldn’t want to hear that.

  “You need to put an end to it, now. Before Finnigan hears something that gives him cause to look closer at this grudge between us and East.”

  Jase rolled his shoulders back, his hardened gaze locking on mine. But he didn’t reply, he simply strolled into the locker room. Trailing after him, I went straight to my bench and began peeling out of my clothes.

  “Yeah, well I wouldn’t mind her sucking on my dick.”

  My eyes snapped over to two juniors huddled over a cell phone. “What’s that?” I asked, pulling on my pants.

  The one holding the phone paled. “Hmm, nothing, it’s nothing.” He dropped the cell in his bag and pressed his lips together.

  “No, seriously, what was it?” Irritation rippled up my spine. “Because I know it’s not what I think it is,” I ground out, slowly approaching them. “I know you’re not fucking stupid enough to be talking about your QB’s step-sister like that.”

  Silence descended over the room, but I only had eyes for the junior who looked ready to piss himself. “Come on, Chase,” he stuttered around a weak smile, as if we were old friends. “It’s not like that… I wasn’t…”

  “So, tell me how it is?” I reached him, plucking the cell phone from his open bag. He was as white as a ghost now as I thrust the cell at him and barked, “Unlock it.”

  With shaky fingers, he swiped the screen and tapped out the pin. “I’m- I’m sorry, man, we were just goofing around.”

  I saw the flash of Hailee’s face on the screen but kept my eyes locked on his face. I couldn’t see that shit, not again. Not if I wanted to avoid making a huge fucking mistake. Grabbing him by his collar, I yanked hard putting us face to face. “This isn’t just a team, it’s a family. You disrespect one of us, your disrespect all of us. You want to talk shit about your QB’s sister?” My breaths came hard as I narrowed my eyes on him.

  “I… I’m sorry.” His face was pale.

  “Chase, ease up.” Jase’s demand barely penetrated my anger, but I felt him move behind me. “Chase.” His hand landed on my shoulder and I flinched, shoving at the junior until he stumbled backward.

  “You talking shit about Hailee?” Jase asked him.

>   “It wasn’t—”

  “Chase is right. This is a team. My. Fucking. Team.” His voice was ice cold. “You feel me?”

  The kid nodded, mumbling some incoherent apology.

  “That goes for the rest of you.” Jase swung around, running his eyes over each of his teammates. “Anyone else want to run their mouth off about Hailee?” He was met with silence. “Didn’t think so. Hailee is off-limits. Always has been. If anyone needs reminding of that, I have no problem arranging it. This shit with the photo, it ends now.”

  My best friend’s eyes slid to mine. His lips were pursed, annoyance pouring off him, but he gave me a little nod of understanding, and I returned it. Jase might not have wanted to intervene, but I’d given him no choice.

  I only hoped I wouldn’t live to regret it.

  Hailee

  After Jason, Asher, and Cameron attempted to sit with us at lunch on Monday, things died down and, by the time Friday rolled around, the photo of me was old news. Instead, everyone was talking about the Raiders first game away from home against the Levinson Lions.

  “Hi, Hailee,” some girl I barely recognized said as Flick and I walked to lunch.

  “Hmm, hi,” I replied, my brows drawn tight, before glaring at my friend. “Okay, what the hell is happening now?”

  She gave me a smug look, and I asked, “What?”

  “I think you’re Rixon’s new hottest toy and everyone wants to play with you.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.” So a couple of people had tried to talk to me, and I’d even been asked if I was going to watch the game tonight. I wasn’t, obviously. But my total lack of school spirit no longer seemed to qualify me as a social leper. And for as much as I didn’t want to admit it, Flick was right. People were interested in me all of a sudden.

  With a chuckle, she looped her arm through mine as we entered the cafeteria. “You know, they came to sit with you for a reason.”

  “Yeah, but…” I hesitated. I knew what she was hinting at, but it didn’t make any sense. “Let me get this straight. First, I’m treated like an outcast because Jason issued some kind of blanket Hailee-is-off-limits rule. Then I become the school slut for a fake photo circulated by Lewis Thatcher. And now, I’m what? Hot property because Jason and the guys sat with us at lunch; for all of five minutes, I might add.”

  “Jason and the guys?” Flick grinned, her eyes mocking me.

  “Oh, piss off,” I grumbled. “You know what I mean.” It had been a simple slip of the tongue. Nothing more.

  “I’m not saying it makes any sense, I’m just saying, I think he did something.”

  “Did something?” I scoffed. “He’s barely said two words to me since Monday.” There had been the odd grunt here or there when we passed one another at home, and he had actually sat down and eaten a meal with us last night, much to everyone’s surprise. But I was under no illusion Jason and I were any closer to becoming friends. That ship had sailed long ago.

  Not that I wanted that anyway.

  I didn’t.

  Flick shrugged as we joined the lunch line. “But he might have said something behind the scenes. Told people they need to be a little nicer to you, perhaps?” Her brow shot up suggestively.

  “You have met my step-brother, right? Being nice is not in his emotional capacity.”

  “He’s a douchebag, I’m not denying that.” Her lips pursed as if the words left a sour taste in her mouth. “But think about it. He’s never let anyone else near you. The second Thatcher sent that photo though, he stepped up.”

  Stepped up? Is that what we were calling it?

  “And I’m what?” I whisper-hissed, aware of all the prying eyes and ears within our immediate vicinity. “Just supposed to forgive the last six years and become Team Jason?”

  Like that was ever going to happen. I loaded my tray with some lunch items and followed Flick to the service counter.

  “I guess it does sound kind of lame when you put it that way.”

  “You think?” I shot back unable to keep the disbelief out of my voice.

  “And how are my two favorite ladies?” Asher Bennet appeared out of nowhere and slung his arms around us, guiding us to our usual table. I ducked out of his embrace leaving him and Flick to walk together, shooting her a hard look in the process. She shrugged like it was no big deal.

  Traitor.

  “So.” He sat down next to Flick as if he joined us for lunch every day. “I was wondering—”

  “Steady there, you might get a headache.” I smirked, stabbing a piece of pasta with my fork totally not pretending it was Asher’s face.

  “Ouch. So prickly, Raine. So prickly. Anyway, as I was saying.” He gave my best friend his attention and she lapped it up, hanging on his every word. My stomach sank. “How would you girls like to come to a party tomorrow night?”

  “No,” I said at the same time as Flick said, “Yes.”

  Laughter rumbled in Asher’s chest. “I can see we’re going to have to keep an eye on this one,” he said the words to Flick but directed them at me.

  “You can go now,” I huffed. It was bad enough he was sitting at our table. But flirting with Flick? That was enough to make me puke and I hadn’t even taken a single bite of my lunch yet.

  “You should come. There’s no hidden agenda, I swear,” were his parting words as he stood up, his eyes lingering a little too long on my friend. When he retreated back to his table, Flick squealed with delight. “A party,” she shrieked, lowering her voice when I gave her an irritated glare. “A party at Asher Bennet’s house. I can’t believe this.”

  “You don’t actually want to go?”

  “Hails, come on.” She groaned, rolling her eyes theatrically. “This has never happened to us before. And it’s on my list.”

  “I think your list is fast becoming a way to talk me into selling my soul to the dark side.”

  “Oh, don’t be so dramatic. It’s just a party. And who knows, maybe you’ll actually have some fun.” She leaned in closer. “Besides, Cameron will be there.” Her eyes danced with insinuation.

  “Don’t even…” I warned. I didn’t want to think about Cameron, not here, not now.

  Not ever.

  But my eyes had a mind of their own, skimming over to where he and the rest of the team sat. His head lifted, his gray-blue eyes fixing right on me, but I darted away quickly, feeling my cheeks heat.

  Oblivious, Flick said, “What?” She gave me innocent puppy dog eyes.

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  Inclining her head, she studied me. “It’s okay to like him, you know?”

  “I don’t…” I inhaled sharply. I didn’t like him. I didn’t. “Whatever. Can we talk about something else?”

  A slow smile tugged at her mouth. “Does that mean you’ll come?”

  “Do I have a choice?”

  “No,” her smile turned into a full grin. “No, you don’t.”

  I was either a total doormat or the best friend a girl could have. The jury was still out on which as I downed the remainder of my drink, crushing the cup and throwing it in one of the trash cans Asher had strategically placed around his yard, which was as big, if not bigger, than everyone said it was. The place was freaking huge.

  “I think I’m drunk,” I declared.

  “Shall we get another?” Flick didn’t sound too sober herself as we meandered through the crowds of people all gathered to celebrate the team’s win against the Levinson Lion’s last night. According to everyone who was anyone it had been an easy game for the Raiders, taking them one step closer to the play-offs.

  I hadn’t even put up a fight when Flick turned up on my doorstep earlier with a bag full of clothes and a smile not even the most stone-hearted of people could have refused. But so far, it wasn’t turning out to be all that bad. We’d managed to avoid my step-brother and his friends, or maybe they were avoiding us. Either way, we drank and danced and even joined in a game of beer pong or two.

  It was strange at first, ha
ving people cheer my name.

  My name.

  Hailee. Hailee. Hailee.

  But I couldn’t deny, even in my slightly intoxicated state, it was thrilling. I was thrilled by people shouting my name. Oh God, I was turning into Jason. The idea made me shudder.

  “What did you say?” Flick’s head whipped around to mine.

  “I didn’t say anything.”

  “Yeah, you did. You said, you’re turning into Jason.”

  “Did not.” I poked my tongue at her, and she frowned.

  “I need to pee. Crap, I need to pee so bad.” Flick shoved me into a lawn chair, dancing on the spot like she had ants in her pants. “Stay right here, okay? I’ll be back.”

  I waved her off as the world spun. Hoisting my legs over the arm of the chair, I dangled my head off the other one until I could see nothing but twinkling stars against a vast inky backdrop. It was so peaceful and calm, worlds away from the party I could vaguely hear going on around me.

  “Comfortable?” a voice said from the shadows, and a face so breathtaking I sucked in a harsh breath, filled my vision. All intense eyes, straight-nose, and strong-jawed; even upside-down Cameron was beautiful.

  I smiled up at him, giving a little sigh that pre-empted a hiccup. “Oops.” I clapped a hand over my mouth smothering my dreamy smile. He chuckled, dropping into another chair close by. “I wondered where you’d disappeared to.”

  “You did?” I twisted my body to see him better but didn’t sit up. I liked the feeling of being upside down. Weightless.

  “Yeah, I was hoping I might get a dance with you.”

  “A dance, yeah, right.”

  He didn’t laugh. Why isn’t he laughing?

  “You’re not serious?” I almost choked on the words.

  His shoulders lifted. “Sure I am.” He sounded nonchalant. “I like dancing.”

  “Are you drunk?”

  “Not as drunk as you.”

  I poked my tongue out at him and his eyes flashed like lightning in a storm. “So, it’s Homecoming soon.”