Page 40 of The Game You Play (Rixon Raiders 2)

Mya grimaced. “Is there anything to do for fun in Rixon that doesn’t involve football?”

“There’s Ice T’s, the ice cream parlor; and The Alley.”

“Let me guess, bowling?”

I nodded. “It has a diner and arcade too. It’s probably one of the only places untouched by football around here.” Well, it had been until recently, but I didn’t tell Mya that. I didn’t want to scare her off for good.

“So we’ve got ice cream and bowling. Anything else?” She smirked.

“Hmm, in the summer we go down to the lake and swim, that’s pretty cool.”

“You’re really living your best life here, huh?”

“Like I said, small town.” Hailee smiled, forking some pasta into her mouth.

Mya’s gaze flicked back over to the football tables. “Guess I’d better readjust my expectations then.” There was something in her eyes, a sadness edged with lust. Mya talked a good game about hating football, just like the rest of us who tried to remain unaffected. But the truth was, when you lived in a place like Rixon, football infiltrated your life even if you didn’t want it to.

When her eyes landed on mine again and she said, “Should I even ask if you have a basketball team?” I realized maybe I’d misjudged her after all.

Jason

“Did you see the new girl?” Grady asked me as I got ready for practice.

I shrugged, pulling on my shoulder pads.

“I saw Bennet introducing himself.” Mackey winked over at him. “You thinking of slumming it?”

“Not cool, bro,” Asher’s jaw clenched. “Not cool.”

“What? I’m just saying she looks Straight Outta Compton.” He rapped the words.

“Mackey, do us all a favor and shut the fuck up, yeah?”

“Sorry, Cap, I was only messing around.”

“Fucking idiot,” Asher grumbled, shouldering him and heading out of the locker room.

“I think Bennet’s got a crush on the new girl,” Grady said, and snorts of laughter rang out around the room.

“Maybe you should all quit gossiping and focus on the game we have coming up?” I shot each one of them a harsh look before going after Asher.

I didn’t give a fuck about some new girl, but I’d seen her sitting with Hailee and Felicity at lunch. Of course my step-sister and her best friend would take in the stray.

Rolling my eyes, I made my way over to Asher and Cameron. “Hey, you okay?”

“Who, me?” His brows waggled. “I’m good.” Trust Asher to brush it under the rug.

“Who is she anyway?” I asked.

“I heard she transferred from Philly. Mia or Mya or something,” Cameron offered. “The principal asked Felicity to help her settle in.”

“Sounds about right.”

“Okay, ladies, bring it in,” Coach Hasson yelled. Once we were listening, he said, “Game seven and it’s going to be a tough one. Fenn Hill are the team to beat this season. Their offense have been unstoppable, not to mention, they have eleven division one picks. And we’re playing at their place. I’m not going to sugarcoat it; you’re going to need to bring everything you have to get the win. And we need that win.”

Because this win was our ticket to the play-offs.

“We’ve got this, Coach,” I said with confidence. The Falcons were good, but we were better.