Page 65 of The Harder You Fall (Rixon Raiders 3)

“Mya.” Felicity grabbed my hand. “Come on, they’re not worth it.”

“You’re right, they’re not.” My fists clenched at my sides as I glared at the girl who had spoken loud enough for me to hear. Back in Fallowfield Heights, if someone dissed you like that, you called them out on it, and eight out of ten times it usually ended up getting physical. But this wasn’t my old neighborhood and the last thing I wanted to do was live up to the stereotype they had of me.

It almost killed me to walk away, even if Felicity was right. They weren’t worth it. Vicious gossip was nothing new. I’d been on the receiving end of whispers and disapproving looks since I arrived in Rixon and became a member of the four percent club.

“Ignore her,” Felicity said as she ushered me out of the store. “Kellie Ginly is just a jealous bitch.”

“She’s on the gymnastic team, right?”

Flick nodded. I’d heard the stories. Knew

all about Asher’s preference for flexible gymnasts who all looked like carbon copies of one another. Blonde. Big boobs. Tanned legs that went on for miles.

Past preference, I reminded myself.

“Asher hasn’t touched any of them in months,” she reassured me.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Sure it does. You don’t always have to act so tough around me, you know. You’re one of my best friends, Mya.”

“I just hate it, you know? I left Fallowfield Heights because I knew Jermaine was only going to drag me down with him. But being here, the constant stares and whispers; it’s like a permanent reminder of the very thing I’m trying to escape.”

“You can’t let them win. The people who matter, who know you, don’t care about any of that. Asher doesn’t care about any of that. Besides, where’s the girl who told me to stand up for my man?”

“Oh she’s in here somewhere,” I said.

“Well, time to dig deep and find her because the Ginleys are good friends with Mr. Bennet which means Kellie will most probably be there tomorrow night. And if you don’t claim Asher, she’ll have no problem stepping into the role for you.”

My chest tightened as I imagined her trying to make a move on Asher.

“Now I’m certain I should avoid the party.”

“What?” Felicity gawked at me. “Why the hell would you say that? Didn’t you hear anything I just said?”

“Oh I heard you all right,” I ground out unable to think about anything but how hard I’d beat her ass if she so much as looked at Asher tomorrow night.

Because official or not, he was mine.

Just like I was his.

Asher

The house looked like Buddy the Elf had paid an overnight visit, if Buddy used high end ornaments and garlands to adorn every shelf and flat surface.

“What do you think?” Mom asked, putting the final touches on the main tree. There were at least another three scattered around the house, but this one… this was the showstopper.

“It looks great, Mom.” I grimaced.

“Gosh, just think, this is the last Christmas you’ll be here.” Her voice cracked and I felt like an absolute shit. Me and Dad were all Mom had, and she was right, I was leaving next fall.

“Don’t get upset. I’ll still visit. We’ll still celebrate the holidays together.”

“You’re a good boy, Asher.” She stepped back to admire her handiwork, wrapping her arm around me. “Thank you for doing this.”

“Mom, come on...”

“No, Son. I know this isn’t easy on you and I know you don’t understand why I tolerate your father. But he’s all I have.”