Page 160 of The Harder You Fall (Rixon Raiders 3)

Asher broke away from me and went to his mom, falling into her open arms. We weren’t sure she would make it to graduation, but Julia was defying her doctors at every turn. Proving to everyone she was strong.

“Mya.” Her eyes met mine over his shoulder, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “I- I’m p- proud of you.” She stumbled over the words a little, but her speech was improving every week.

“I’m so happy you made it Mrs... Julia.”

She beamed, gently pushing Asher to arm’s length. “W- wouldn’t m... m- miss it for the world.”

“I love you, Mom.” Asher’s voice cracked. “I love you so damn much.” He reached back, searching for my hand. I slid my fingers into his and his shoulders immediately dropped, relief oozing from him.

“My two favorite girls,” he said, glancing between us, so much emotion in his blue gaze my breath caught.

“There you are.” Felicity breezed up to us, looking radiant in her gown. “Hi Mrs. Bennet, it’s so good to see you.”

Julia smiled, happiness glittering in her eyes.

“Where’s Jase?” Asher asked.

“Talking to Coach Hasson. He’s no longer a Raider but he still can’t let go.”

“You should know by now, Fee, baby, once a Raider, always—”

“A Raider,” the two of us answered, sharing a smile.

“Damn straight.”

“Well, if you don’t mind, I need to borrow Mya for a little while.”

My eyes slid to Asher’s and he grinned. “Fine by me.”

“I’ll see you later,” I said.

Asher’s parents were letting him host a graduation party, one last time before we headed to the Hamptons for summer vacation and then all went our separate ways for college. Since the guys had summer practice we were leaving early. It was hard to believe we would all be in different colleges. Lucky for me though, Jason and Felicity would only be across the river at UPenn so we’d still see each other.

“Come on.” Felicity grabbed my hand, flashing me a knowing smirk. “I promise to return her in one piece.”

My brows furrowed, trying to decipher the intent in her expression, but before I could figure out what the hell was going on, she was pulling me away from Asher and his parents, towards her bright yellow car.

“No way.” I shook my head, gawking at the scraps of lace and silk. “No fucking way.”

“Come on, he’ll love it. Tell her, Hails.” She flicked her gaze to Hailee who threw up her hands.

“Don’t drag me into this. Besides, I’m with Mya on this one. It’s...”

“Obscene,” I said.

“It’s sexy,” Flick countered. “Jason loves it when I—”

I clapped a hand over her mouth. “We don’t need to hear about how much Jason loves anything. I’m not wearing that.” Asher loved me regardless of what I wore, and it wasn’t like we needed any help in the bedroom. He was insatiable, and I was all too happy to oblige him.

Felicity pouted. “I still think you should get it.”

“It’s a party. A party Asher is throwing.” I gave her a pointed look. “I’ll be lucky to drag him away from the guys for ten seconds let alone long enough to seduce him with... that.” My nose scrunched up as I looked at the lingerie again. I wasn’t opposed to wearing pretty things, but it was too much.

“You’re no fun.”

“But you love me.” I nudged Felicity’s arm and smiled at her.

“Yeah, I do. Come on, let’s look in the other section.”