Page 110 of The Endgame Is You (Rixon Raiders 4)

“There are my boys,” Mom smiled, patting the bed.

“Go,” I whispered to Xander, my heart swelling as I watched him fall into her arms and bury his face in her shoulder.

“Gosh, Xander, you get bigger every time I see you.”

“Mom,” he groaned, “It’s been two days.”

“Two days too many.”

It was so good to see them together, even under the circumstances.

“How are you feeling?” I moved closer, leaning over my brother to press a kiss to her damp forehead.

“Okay.” I heard the lie in her voice, but we didn’t address it. We never did.

We’d made a promise—Mom, Dad, and I—that we needed to be strong for Xander. No matter how bad things got, we would shield him as much as possible.

“Are you hungry?” she asked Xander. “I heard they’re doing tacos in the cafeteria today.”

“I love tacos.”

“I know you do, baby. You want to go with Dad and get some? He should be here any—”

“Did I hear someone say tacos?”

Mom chuckled and it was like music to my ears.

“Hey, Dad,” Xander said.

“Hey, buddy. Shall we go feed you?”

“Don’t be too long,” Mom called after them. When they were gone, she patted the bed again. “Come closer, sweetheart.”

“Hey, Mom.”

“I wanted to talk to you about something,” she said, and my brows furrowed. “I had a dream last night, and I woke up with the strangest feeling...” She took my hand in hers. “I know you want to be here, and I love you for it, I do. But I think you need to go and see Hailee—”

“Mom...”

“Just hear me out. You know I’m not one for superstition, but I can’t shake the feeling she needs you.”

“If you’re trying to make me feel guiltier than I already do, you’re doing a pretty good job of it.” I gave her a tight smile.

“Oh, Cameron, my sweet boy.” She pressed her hand against my cheek. “Hailee is your heart. You can’t live without your heart, baby.”

“But Mom, I can’t go...” Tears burned my throat. “What if something happens—”

“Ssh.” Her eyes fluttered closed. “All I want is for you and Xander to be happy. That’s all any mother can wish for. And that girl is your key to happiness. You need to let her in, Cameron. Love is hard and messy, and God knows, it hurts sometimes. But the kind of love the two of you share is rare. And I can’t explain it, but she needs you right now. I just know it.”

“But you need me...” The dam broke and tears spilled freely down my cheeks.

“I’m not going anywhere yet, I promise. I need to make sure my boy pulls his head out of his butt and makes things right with his girl first.”

“Okay,” I breathed.

“Okay?”

“Yeah, Mom,” I said, because how could I deny her?