The Trouble With You

by L A Cotton

  Hailee was in my corner now. She might have only been in my life officially for a few days, but she had been there every step of the way. At the hospital while we waited for Mom to come out of surgery, waiting outside the locker room while I told Coach I needed some time away from the team. She’d been there, no questions asked. She just got it. Understood what I needed. And she was there.

  It meant the fucking world to me.

  But Jason was wired different. In his eyes, empathy and compassion were weaknesses. Traits that meant letting people get close—something he rarely did. So when he started stalking toward me, I braced myself for whatever shit was about to come out of his mouth.

  “Hey,” he said.

  “What’s up?” I tipped my head. Since I could remember, the two of us had been inseparable, but now it felt like there was an entire football field between us.

  “It didn’t feel right out there tonight.” Jase looked over at me, his hair falling over his eyes slightly.

  “You got the win; that’s all that matters, right?” I hadn’t meant for it to sound like a dig, but he flinched.

  “Come on, bro, it’s not… Look, I screwed up, I get it.” His expression didn’t match the Jason I knew—the guy who was one step closer to State. “But you didn’t tell me, you didn’t—”

  “You didn’t want to hear it.” My eyes shuttered. “You’re not like the rest of us, Jase. You’re so focused on football, on the future…”

  “But this is different. I would’ve…” He let out a heavy sigh “How is she?”

  “She’s doing okay but they won’t know if she needs radiotherapy yet.” Doctor Kravis was remaining optimistic that he’d gotten all the tumor cells, but since it was a grade two meningioma there was still a chance it could come back.

  “Fuck,” Jase hissed out. “I’m so fucking sorry, man.”

  “She’s alive and they got it, that’s what we’re focusing on right now.”

  The wait for her to get out of surgery was something I never wanted to experience again. Those six hours had been excruciating. If hadn’t been for Xander’s incessant questions and having Hailee right there beside me, I think I would have lost it.

  Jase rubbed the back of his neck. He wanted to say something, I could see it in his eyes. “What?” I asked.

  “Nah, it doesn’t matter.”

  “Go on, say it.”

  “Do you think you’ll come back to the team… now she’s okay?”

  I shook my head incredulously. Even now, he couldn’t see past football.

  “Fuck, that came out wrong.” He scrubbed a hand down his face. “I mean, I get why you couldn’t play tonight; to be honest, I’m surprised you came at all.”

  I hadn’t wanted to, but Dad insisted. Even Mom had given her blessing.

  “What I mean is, I need you. You and me, Chase. We need to see this thing through together.”

  “I don’t know if—”

  “I know.” He held up his hands. “And I get it, I do. But we worked too hard for this, you worked too hard for it.”

  “Listen, Jase, I’m not sure Penn is—”

  “Fuck Penn. You’ve got to do what’s best for your family, I get it. It was always my dream anyway. But this year, it’s ours. I can do it without you, but honestly,”—Jase locked eyes on me—“I don’t want to.”

  “Worried you’re nothing without your star wide receiver?” I smirked.

  “Damn right I am. Kaiden is good but he’s no Fourteen.” He gave me a rare smile. “So what do you say, Chase? Are you in?”

  “I can’t promise anything but if Mom is okay and the doctors are happy with her progress then yeah, I’m in.” Coach had already said I could cut back on practice if I needed to.

  Relief settled in my best friend’s eyes, his shoulders sagging, and for the first time in my life, I saw Jason Ford lower his walls. He really meant every word he’d just said.

  And that meant something to me.

  Despite all the highs and lows and events of the last few weeks, the fact he’d finally managed to look past himself and football, meant something.

  “So, you and Hailee, huh?” He flicked his head over to where the girls stood pretending not to watch us.

  “Yeah, is it going to be a problem? Because I’ll lay it out there now; if you make me choose, it’ll be her, every damn time.” He was my best friend, but I was done being his puppet. I needed Hailee. I couldn’t really explain it, but I needed her. And now I finally had her, I had no plans on doing anything to jeopardize that.

  “Guess I’d better get used to it then.” Jase shrugged but I saw the tightness around his eyes. “You know, we still need to get Thatcher back for what he did to her.”

  “Jase, I’m not sure—”

  “He’s going down, one way or another, he’s—”

  “Who’s going down?” Hailee finally came over, guilt flashing in her eyes. “Sorry,” she whispered. “I couldn’t wait any longer.”

  “It’s fine.” I hooked an arm around her, pulling her into my side.

  “So, what were you talking about?”

  “Ask lover boy.” The corner of Jase’s mouth tipped and I flipped him off.

  “Ask lover boy what?” Ash appeared, his arm slung casually around Felicity who looked less than impressed at being dragged into our small gathering.

  “I think they’re plotting something,” Hailee said, throwing me a dubious look.

  “No plotting,” I said. “I promise.” But Jase’s eyes sparked with something dangerous, and I knew he wouldn’t let this thing with Thatcher go.

  “The guys want to know if we’re headed to Bell’s?” Ash asked, his arm still around Felicity.

  “I’m not sure—” I started but Hailee pressed her hand to my stomach. “It’s okay, if you want to go, we can go.” She nodded reassuringly.

  “Fee, baby, you in?”

  “Do you promise to stop calling me that?” Felicity rolled her eyes at Ash.

  “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.

  “We just want you to know the team are behind you one hundred and ten percent. Whatever you decide, we’ve got your back,” Ash said.

  “Always,” Jase added and I don’t know who was more shocked. Asher, me, or Hailee.

  “Yeah, yeah,” he grumbled. “Don’t get too used to it. I’m still the cold-hearted bastard you all love to hate.” His hard gaze skirted over to Felicity who pretended not to notice.

  But I noticed.

  I only hoped Hailee didn’t because I didn’t want tonight to end in drama. I wanted to enjoy the moment—my friends, my team, and my girlfriend co-existing in one of my favorite places.

  After weeks of uncertainty, of feeling pulled in different directions, I finally felt like I could breathe. And I knew it was largely down to Hailee. She made all the other shit disappear. She kept me sane in the quiet moments, the moments where my thoughts turned dark and went to places I didn’t want to be.

  And although it was early days, I knew I didn’t want to be anywhere she wasn’t.

  Without thinking, I jumped up on the nearest empty booth and waited for the place to go silent. Hailee stared up at me as if I’d lost my mind. And maybe I had, but if life had taught me anything over the last couple of weeks, it was that you never knew what was around the corner.

  “I just want to say a few words.”

  My teammates all made a ruckus, stamping on the floor and banging on tables.

  “Show the guy some respect,” Jerry yelled from his position behind the bar, and I gave him an appreciative nod.

  When everyone hushed, I continued, “At the beginning of this week, I’ll be honest, I didn’t know if I’d ever put on my jersey again. Football is important to me, but it’s not everything. Family is what matters.” My eyes found my best friends. “Friendship, having each other’s backs, being there when things hit rock bottom, that’s what makes being a Raider special. Is the thrill of the win, addictive? Hell yeah, it is. But it’s knowing that if you lose, if your dreams go up in flames in front of your eyes, that you’ll still have a team, a family, there to shoulder the burden with you.

  “By now, you all probably know my family had some bad news recently. And it made me question everything I thought I knew. But regardless of what the next few weeks bring, one thing’s for certain, I’ll always be a Raider. And I couldn’t think of a better team to win State with.”

  “Does that mean you’re sticking around?” Grady yelled and I fought a smile.

  “Well, you’ll be needing your star wide receiver, won’t you?”

  “Hells yeah.” He grinned and the place erupted.

  Jase and Ash were on me the second I leaped down off the bench. Jase grabbed the back of my neck and pressed his head to mine, his eyes saying everything I knew he never would. And then Ash joined us, his arms looped around both our necks, pulling us close. “Thank fuck, I don’t have to lose any more sleep over whose side I’m on.”

  A moment of understanding passed between the three of us. We were on the precipice of something, we could all feel it. All we had was this moment before everything changed.

  “Do you think you’ll commit when the scouts come out next week?” Ash asked and my eyes found Hailee standing with Felicity by the bar.

  “Yeah, I’m going to commit.”

  Football was a part of me, a part of who I was. And I owed it to myself, to my family to see where it took me.

  “Well don’t keep us hanging. Where’s it going to be?”

  “Michigan,” I said without hesitation. “I’m going to commit to Michigan.”

  It was a rash decision, one I knew I’d need to talk to my parents about, not to mention Hailee. But life was precious, and I didn’t want to spend a minute wasting it. If things went south with Mom, I’d cross that bridge when it came. We still had nine months before college. A lot could change between now and then.

  But here, in this moment, I wanted the dream.

  I wanted football.

  And the girl.

  Hailee

  “Oh my god, it’s so big.”

  “I know something that’s big,” Asher turned around and flashed Flick a wicked grin.

  “Asher, really.” She rolled her eyes at him before settling her gaze once more on the New York skyline as we crossed the bridge. Jason grunted, his eyes thinning as he focused on the road, but I brushed it off because Cameron was wrong.

  He had to be wrong.

  Flick didn’t like my step-brother—there was nothing to like.

  “Are you excited?” Cameron’s lips brushed the shell of my ear, sending a trail of heat zipping through me. I clenched my legs together and his smooth chuckle washed over me.

  “Yeah, I’ve always wanted to see a Reba exhibition. I can’t believe Kent managed to score us tickets.”

  “You, tickets,” Jason said. “I told you already, I’m not going to some lame art show. Besides, Ash’s cousins are going to give us the tour, right?”

  “What?” I asked, looking from him to Cameron and back again. “You didn’t say anything about Asher’s cousins.” This trip had officially been hijacked by my step-brother.

  Fuck my life.

  We might have found a temporary truce since everything with Cameron’s mom happened, but I was under no illusion it would last. Too much had happened between us. But for a rare weekend, our differences weren’t front and center. Cameron needed this weekend, we all did. And nothing was going to ruin it.

  Not a damn thing.

  Thirty minutes later, after battling the city traffic, we were finally in the hotel.

  “Holy shit, Hails, I can’t believe it. Would you check out this view? I can see the Empire State Building.” Flick’s voice held a tinge of wonder as she beckoned me to the floor-to-ceiling window in our accommodation for the night.

  The penthouse suite overlooking Fifth Avenue was ridiculous. But Flick had insisted I room with Cameron, so I couldn’t complain
too much. Jason and Asher were sharing the other double room—with two king beds—and Flick had happily taken the twin.

  “New York,” she sighed dreamily. “I still can’t believe it. And,”—my best friend leaned in, whispering—“I heard Asher tell Jason his cousins are taking us to a club. A club, Hails. I’m so freaking excited.”

  My brows pinched as I tried to share her enthusiasm. “A club? I’m not sure—”

  “Oh no you don’t, Hailee Raine. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Do you know how many kids from school would kill to be here right now? We are embracing this.”

  “Let me guess,” I said. “It’s on your—”

  “Ssh. Don’t let the guys hear. It’s bad enough Cameron overheard us before. I don’t want them thinking I’m...” Her voice trailed off as something caught her eye over my shoulder. I glanced back to find Jason and Asher watching us.

  “Are you two going to stand there all fucking day or can we get out of here?”

  “Can you at least try to be civil?” I asked Jason, but he merely grunted and went to the refrigerator.

  “So, how are my two favorite ladies?” Asher approached us but I ducked before he could collar me. His arm went around Flick though. It was becoming quite the habit.

  “This is so cool,” Flick beamed up at him. “I can’t believe your dad is letting us stay here.”

  “Believe it, baby.” He grinned back. “But you ain’t seen nothing yet. My cousins know all the local hotspots.”

  “Asher, I’m not sure—”

  “Hails.” He levelled me a serious look. “One night. We have one night. Turn that frown upside down and get on the love train.”

  “Love train, seriously?”

  “It’s okay for you, you’ve got Chase to attend to… your needs.” His brows waggled. “The rest of us need to go hunting.”

  “Asher.” Flick elbowed him in the ribs. “That’s gross.”

  “Naw, baby. It’s simple biology. Unless you’re—”

  “Is he bothering you?” Cameron came up behind me, looping his arm around me and pulling me back against his chest.

  “Who, me?” Asher feigned surprise.