by L A Cotton
Mya nudged my shoulder. “You could always just tell them.”
“I could but I want to be sure first. If I tell them and it doesn’t work out, I’ll be causing a lot of heartache for nothing.”
“You really think they’ll be that upset? Veterinary school is a solid plan.”
“But it isn’t their plan and it’s at least eight years in school.”
“But do you want it?”
“I think so. I mean, I’ve taken all the right courses and I love animals. But I’ll need to talk to Miss Hampstead about changing my application and I’ll definitely need to find some hands-on experience.”
“Ooh, you could do some dog walking for your neighbors or run a doggie day care service on the weekend.”
“Oh yeah, my anti-pet parents would love that while they overreacted every day that I was going to get Tetanus, or the house invaded with fleas, or the neighbors complain about barking.”
“Okay I get it, over-cautious parent alert. There must be a vacancy somewhere for you.”
“Hey, what are you two doing out here?” Hailee’s brows bunched. “I went to study hall but you weren’t there.”
“I wanted to get a head start on calling local veterinary clinics and Mya found me out here.”
“Any luck?”
“Nothing yet. I may have to figure out a plan B.”
“Have you tried the clinic in town?” she asked.
“No, it’s too close to home. If Mom and Dad find—”
“You don’t have to tell them why you’re doing it yet, just that you want to try new things.”
“I don’t know... it would be ideal being so local.” I wouldn’t have to worry about travel time and maybe I could help after school.
“You should call them,” Mya said, handing me her phone, the clinic’s number already punched in.
“Now?”
“Can you think of a better time?”
Hailee sat down beside me, the two of them giving me expectant stares.
“Fine, but I bet they have nothing.” I’d left it too late to try to find something.
I hit call and waited.
“Hello, Rixon Veterinary Clinic, Regina speaking. How can I help you?”
“Hmm, hi, Regina. I’m a senior at Rixon High School and I was wondering if you have any volunteering opportunities? I’m considering studying animal science at college and really wanted some hands-on experience.”
Mya gave me a little thumbs up.
“I didn’t catch your name?”
“Oh? I’m sorry, it’s Felicity.”
“Well, firstly thanks for thinking of us, Felicity. I’d love to be able to tell you we have something right now, but unfortunately—”
“You don’t.” My shoulders slumped. “I expected as much.”
“I’m sure you can appreciate, we have a rigorous process in place for all of our volunteers and we only recently recruited.”
“Of course, I completely understand.”
“That said, I might be able to arrange you a visit to our sister-center across town.”
“The pet rescue place?” I asked.
“Yes, A Brand New Tail. There’s no permanent volunteer spots at the minute but I’m sure George, the manager, wouldn’t mind showing you around.”
“That would be great, thank you.”
“Excellent. Drop me an email and I’ll forward it to George. We can also add you to the waitlist should anything come up...”
“Thank you so much.” We said goodbye and hung up.
“So...” Mya asked.
“They can let me look around, but they don’t have anything permanent right now.”
“Well, it’s a step in the right direction.” She gave me a reassuring smile. “And who knows. Maybe you can work your magic on George and get him to give you a shift or two?”
“Mya!” My cheeks burned. “I would never—”
“Relax, I’m joking. But it’s good to see you smile, girl.”
It felt good to smile. Until I spotted Cameron, Asher… and Jason heading in our direction. My breath caught in my throat. Even now, after everything, my heart still wanted him. The rest of me wanted nothing more than to watch him combust into flames, but my heart, well it wasn’t quite there yet.
Before they reached us, Jason split away from his friends and took off toward the gym. I let out a little sigh of relief, ignoring the way my stomach sank, and pasted on the brightest smile I could for Cameron and Asher.
“Ladies,” Asher said. “We missed you at lunch.” His eyes settled on mine, asking me things I didn’t want to answer.
“We had a... thing.” Mya winked at me.
“A thing. I like things. You could have invited me.”
“Asher,” Hailee warned.
“It’s okay, Hails. You don’t all have to pretend this isn’t awkward. But I’m fine. Truly.”
“That’s the spirit, Fee, baby. So what’s happening?”
“Felicity is trying to figure out her future,” Hailee said.
“Sounds interesting. Anything we can help with?”
“Not unless you know of a veterinary clinic taking on volunteers.”
“Huh.” Asher’s brows pinched. “I never had you down as a cat lover.”
“Hey, I like dogs too. Anything soft and cute really, I don’t discriminate.”
“You’ve tried the one downtown?”
I nodded. “They have nothing. I’ll figure something out.” I waved him off, hoping to deflect the attention from me to someone else. The last thing I needed was Asher on the case. He was worse than a dog with a bone.
“We should probably head to practice before Coach comes looking for us.” Cameron reached for Hailee, pulling her to her feet. “I’ll miss you.”
“Miss you too,” she said, kissing him.
“Miss you three,” Asher added around a grin.
Cameron flipped him off behind Hailee’s back.
“You’ll be at the game Friday, right?” Asher turned his attention to me and Mya.
“Actually,” I tucked my long bangs behind my ear, “I don’t think so.”
“What the fuck? You have to come. It’s our final game before the play-offs.”
“Hails will be there, right, Hails?”
“Yes, she will,” Cam answered for her.
“See, you have to come.”
“Hailee can hang out with Cam’s parents.” His mom and dad were making the trip to Brennington since she was finally feeling a little better.
“What about you, Mya? Can I count on you to be there, cheering us on?”
“Oh shoot, did you say Friday? I think I’m washing my hair.”
“I think I’m washing my hair,” he muttered beneath his breath, rolling his eyes. “If you don’t come, you can’t come party with us afterwards.”
“Whatever will we do?” Mya clutched my hands, feigning disappointment.
“We could always hang out at The Alley?” I suggested. “Or maybe get drunk down by the river again, that was fun. Oh, I know, we could—”
“Okay, okay, you both made your point. But let’s face it, whatever you do, wherever you hang out, it’s not going to be half as much fun as being with me.” Asher’s amused gaze lingered on Mya until he winked and walked off, not bothering to wait for Cameron.
“You really shouldn’t encourage him,” he remarked.
“He can handle it,” Mya scoffed, her eyes tracking Asher’s retreating form. She could play down the chemistry between the two of them, but she wasn’t fooling anyone.
Jealousy stirred in my chest, which was crazy. Because I didn’t want Asher like that. But I couldn’t deny his attention softened the blow of Jason’s rejection somewhat. Not to mention the part of me that worried if Mya and Asher hooked up, I’d lose my two closest friends to Raiders.
“Hey, are you okay?” Mya nudged me again and I flashed her a weak smile.
“Me? I’m good.”
“Everything’s going to work ou
t, Flick. I can feel it in my bones.”
“Speaking of bones,” Cam cleared his throat, “I’d better go before Coach breaks some of mine for being tardy. I’ll see you tonight?” he asked Hailee.
“Of course. Bye.”
He pulled her in for one last kiss and disappeared after Asher.
“What?” she said, noticing us both glaring at her.
“You two are so cute it’s disgusting.” Mya grinned.
“So disgusting,” I added around a smirk despite the sinking feeling in my stomach.
I wanted that.
Wanted someone to look at me the way Cameron looked at her.
But I would never get it so long as I was stuck on Jason.
“Felicity, sweetheart, is that you?” Mom’s voice filtered down the hall as I kicked off my shoes and dropped my keys on the sideboard.
“Hey, Mom.” I entered the kitchen.
“How was book club?”
“Good, thanks. No Dad?”
“He needed to stay late at the office.”
“Again? He’s always working.”
“Sure is. You know how it is, got to keep that roof over our heads. Well, you will soon enough.” She chuckled.
“So I’ve been thinking,” I said, sliding onto one of the stools. “Since its senior year and all, that I might like to do some volunteering.”
“What a wonderful idea.” Mom came over to the breakfast island to join me. “I’m sure me or your father can arrange some work experience with—”
“Actually, Mom, I was thinking I might do something else.”
“Something else?” Her brows pinched. “I’m sorry, I’m not sure I understand.”
“I just realized there’s so much I’ve always wanted to do and time’s running out, so I thought now might be a good time to experiment.”
“Hmm, that sounds kind of distracting, sweetheart. You have book club; that’s outside the box.”
Dear God, if she though book club was outside the box, I had no hope getting her on side for my new plan.
“It’s not exactly giving me major life experience though, Mom. I want to learn something new, try new things. Before I know it, college will be here, and I’ll have a full schedule of classes. I don’t want to leave high school with any regrets.”
“No, you’re right, you’re absolutely right.” Her bright smile gave me a smidgen of hope. “I bet if your father speaks to Killian at the bank he could help out or I could ask Mrs. Fenton if she has anything suitable.”
My bubble burst almost as quickly as it began inflating.
“Mrs. Fenton from the care home?” Disbelief filled my voice.
“That’s the one. I’m sure the residents would love to have a visit from you.”
“That wasn’t quite what I had in mind, Mom. I was thinking something more along the lines of working with… animals.”
“Animals?” she barely contained her surprise. “But why on earth would you want to work with animals?”
“Well, I did always want a pet, remember? And imagine how much fun it must be working with all cute little puppies and kittens.”
“Cute and dangerous, Felicity. And don’t even get me started on the allergies.”
“Mom, I don’t have allergies.”
“Because we raised you in a pet free environment.”
“I’m not sure it works that way.”
“It seems like an awful waste of your time when you could be getting real hands on experience in the workplace.”
She didn’t get it. She never had. Which is why I’d never veered from the plan. Their plan.
It was just easier that way. But now I’d considered a different plan, I couldn’t just switch it off. If my brief time with Jason had taught me anything, it was to go after what you wanted.
“I think it’ll be good for me,” I said defiantly, feeling something stir in my chest.
“I’m not sure I agree, sweetheart. And I can only imagine what your father will say; but if it’s something you really want to do,” she gave a resigned sigh, “then I suppose it would be okay, as long as we’ve checked out they have up to date health and safety policies.”
“Really?”
“You’ve worked hard for the last three years, Felicity. You deserve some downtime.”
It wasn’t exactly a gleaming endorsement, but I’d take it.
“Thanks, Mom, it means a lot to have your support.” Whether or not she’d feel the same if she knew the truth was another matter.
“Sweetheart, all I want is for you to be happy,” she reached over the counter, “you know that, right?”
I nodded over the lump in my throat. She wanted me to be happy... doing what had made her so happy. But I wanted more. I realized that now. I wanted to chase my own dreams even when they led me down the wrong path. I wanted to make mistakes and learn from them. I didn’t want to settle for average anymore; not when I could have amazing.
There was still one fatal flaw in my new plan—I wasn’t sure I would ever be brave enough to tell my parents.
Jason
“Let’s go number one, you’re slacking,” one of the assistant coaches yelled across the field. I cussed under my breath, pumping my legs harder, pushing through the wall of pain closing in around me.
I was fucking tired.
Thanks to Thatcher and the shit with Felicity, I was barely sleeping. My muscles ached and my head pounded but it was practice and I had a job to do. Giving anything less than one-hundred and ten percent was not an option.
“That’s it, QB, keep it up.”
I felt eyes on me as I ran the drill again. Looking around, I found Asher glaring at me. The little shit was still pissed over our last conversation about Felicity and it sucked that I couldn’t tell him the truth. But he’d get over it. He always did.
“Hey,” Cam said, jogging over to me. “You okay?”
“I’m good. Ready to kick some Brennington ass Friday.” It was our last game and we were playing at their place. Then we had a rest week before the first round of the play-offs.
“You and your dad figure things out?”
We’d barely spoken since Seniors Night but that was nothing new.
“Not really.”
“I know you’re angry at him for everything but maybe—”
“I appreciate the advice, I do.” I grunted as my hands closed around the pass from Grady. “But I’d rather not do this. You’re with Hailee now, save it for her.”
“I can be here for both of you. Besides, Hailee and her mom are patching things up.”
My brow arched. “Guess we’re not so similar after all.” Because I could barely look at my old man for his indiscretions, let alone try to smooth things over.
I guess it was different for me, though. I’d known for years who my father really was. Long before Denise and Hailee came on the scene. She was just the final straw where my mom was concerned.
So no, I wasn’t in a hurry to forgive the man who had ruined our family. But I was in a hurry to get the hell out of this town. A clean break. That’s what I wanted. To escape out from under the shadow of Kent Ford and forge my own legacy.
“Heard anything more from Thatcher? I was thinking perhaps we should have told Coach—”
“You think he doesn’t know exactly what happened with the art project? He’s not an idiot. But he can’t afford Finnigan sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong.”
“Has he said anything to you?”
“No, but he’s hinted at it.”
“So what are you going to do? Thatcher won’t—”
“If Thatcher knows what’s good for him, he’ll stay across the river until after the play-offs.”
“You really think he’ll do that, after everything?”
I didn’t, but there was no use telling Cam that. Not when he wanted to run off and tattle to Coach.
“I don’t know how many times I have to say it,” I ground out, “I can handle Thatcher.”
Cameron didn�
��t look convinced, but I was done arguing over something that I couldn’t change. Thatcher wouldn’t stop coming until he got what he wanted.
Me.
So it was my plan to lie low and stay out of trouble at least until we were crowned State champs.
“Jase, get over here, Son.” Coach beckoned me over with his usual crooked finger.
“He doesn’t look too happy.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing,” I grunted, ripping off my helmet and shouldering past Cam to head for where Coach and one of the assistant coaches were talking.
“What’s up, Coach?”
The assistant coach excused himself and left us to it. Coach Hasson gripped my shoulder. “Walk with me.”
We looped around the guys and walked to the other end of the field. The air was frigid, the first signs of winter evident in the dewy grass. “Talk to me about what happened with Miss Raine’s art project.”
“We told you, Coach. It was an accident. We were moving the—”
“I know what you told me, Jase, but I’m asking for the truth.” He gave me a pointed look. “There are rumors circulating that the Eagles had something to do with it. Wouldn’t happen to know anything about that would you?”
“Not me, Coach.” I jammed my hands into the waistband of my pants and kept my expression neutral.
“Jase, level with me. If it comes out Thatcher and his band of idiots from across the river were responsible, I won’t be able to protect you from Principal Finnigan and we both know he’s just waiting for an excuse to pull you from the team.”
“I don’t know what to tell you, Coach.” Rubbing the back of my neck, I gave him a half-smile.
“This rivalry will be the death of me.” He shook his head with frustration. “I’m going to miss the hell out of you next year, but I can’t say I’ll miss you and this Thatcher kid going at it every time I turn my back.”
“I’m so—”
“Listen to me and listen to me good, Jason. Four more games. That’s all that’s standing between you and the championship. It would be a damn shame if you ruined what has been a near perfect season because you didn’t know when to quit it. Keep your head on straight, you hear me?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“I mean it, Son. If I find out you’re planning a retaliation on the Eagles, you won’t have to worry about Finnigan because I’ll be the one making you sit out. I’ve turned a blind eye for too long where the two of you are concerned. Stupid high school pranks are one thing, but when it starts affecting the people around you, that’s when it’s time to call it a day.”
