“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 State is—”
“Fuck Penn State. 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.