Page 64 of The Game You Play (Rixon Raiders 2)

She chuckled softly. “Is that your way of telling me I overstepped?

“Not at all. You’ve given me a lot to think about. Thank you.”

“Hey, what are friends for, right? I’ll see you tomorrow.”

We hung up and I stared up at the ceiling, replaying the conversation.

I’d always been the good girl. Agreeable and passive, all too willing to go along with my parents hopes and dreams for me because it was what was expected. But if senior year so far had shown me anything so far, it was that some things in life required you to take a risk. They required you to let go of all your insecurities and doubts and take a leap of faith. Maybe they would work out and maybe they wouldn’t, but at least you would know you tried.

I wanted that.

I wanted to take risks and throw caution to the wind.

I wanted to go after what I wanted. Have fun discovering a new path, one I carved for myself.

I wanted to fall head over heels in love despite everyone warning me it would only end in heartache.

God, did I want that.

But could I really do that with Jason, knowing it would never mean the same to him as it would for me?

My cell bleeped, another incoming text. I opened it eagerly expecting some more advice from Mya, but Jason’s name stared back at me.

Jason: What are you doing right now?

After typing and deleting at least three replies, I went with the truth.

Me: Lying on my bed about to start some homework.

Jason: You’re killing me, Giles. Come meet me... or better yet, I could come to you. I remember your bed... it’s comfy.

I fought a grin. To my complete surprise, Jason was turning out to be very persistent.

Me: No and no. I need to get this done and my mom is home.

Jason: Mom’s love me.

My chest squeezed at his playful words. Damn him for doing this to me, offering me glimpses of the guy I knew was hiding beneath his cool, indifferent exterior. Glimpses of a guy I knew would never surface permanently.

Me: I’m not sure my mom would.

Jason: She’s not a fan? I’m wounded.

Me: Like you don’t have enough middle-aged women fawning over you.

Jason: But I don’t want them…

My heart fluttered at his words. At everything he wasn’t saying.

Me: Goodbye, Jason. I’ll see you at school tomorrow.

Jason: You know I didn’t get to where I am without a fuck load of persistence and focus... When I want something, I go after it.

I didn?

?t text back. I didn’t know what to say. But proving himself true, another text came through.

Jason: We both know you’re going to end up under me again, Giles. Why not save us both the heartache and give in?