Page 26 of The Harder You Fall (Rixon Raiders 3)

That wasn’t Cameron.

“Thanks.” I took the bottle from Mya and dragged myself into a seated position. The water tasted like shit going down, but it soothed my throat.

“When did you get here?” Mya hadn’t arrived with Felicity and I hadn’t seen her all night. Unless...

“I’ve been here long enough.”

Fuck.

“Want to talk to about it?”

“Is that why Cameron sent you in here?” I peeked up at her. “To try to coax the truth out of me?”

“No, I offered.”

“Why? I’m no one to you, right?”

“Asher, that’s not fair.” Mya perched on the edge of the bathtub.

My friends didn’t live in houses like this. Houses with an excessive number of bathrooms and guest rooms and jet skis on the lake. But their jealousy was misplaced because what they didn’t know was, money meant fuck all when it came at a price.

A price I’d never asked to pay but had to anyway.

“No? Well life isn’t fucking fair.” I closed my eyes, bringing a hand to my head, hoping the room would stop spinning.

“What am I going to do with you?” Mya sounded closer. She was closer. I felt her fingers on my forehead, softly brushing the hair from my face.

My eyes snapped open, my fingers curling around hers. “What are you doing?” I ground out, hating that I sounded like an ungrateful bastard. But her touch was like kryptonite. Hitting me right where it hurt most—my heart.

“Just because we can’t be together doesn’t mean I don’t care about you. Now stop being a stubborn ass and let me help you.”

Mya gently pulled me up until I was sitting. I still felt as sick as a dog but at least everything was stationary now. “Cameron and Jason must really hate me, huh?”

“Hate you?” Her brown eyes softened. “Those guys love you like a brother. You’re lucky to have them.”

“Right, that’s me, Asher Lucky Bennet.”

Shit, I’d heard that one too many times over the years.

You’re lucky to have this life. This house, and everything that comes with it.

Don’t be so sensitive, Asher, you’re lucky to have parents who can provide for you.

You’re lucky I’m allowing you to play football at all.

“Did something happen, Asher? Because you’re not making any sense.”

“I drank most of my old man’s liquor cabinet. I don’t even know what day it is right now.”

Lies.

It was all lies. I knew exactly where I was, what day it was, and who was here with me. But I didn’t want Mya to see behind my façade. Behind the guy everyone loved.

Because I knew she might not like what she found.

“Come on, I think the party’s over.” Mya stood up and held out her hand, waiting for me to give her mine.

The second our skin slid together, I felt it. The electricity. The connection. It simmered between us. Hooking my other arm around he