Page 98 of The Harder You Fall (Rixon Raiders 3)

“Okay, then, let’s see how the fuck you like it.” Jason set his sights on me and I frowned across the counter at him. “Hey, Mya, baby,” he said huskily, “how are your pancakes?”

“Hmm, good, thanks.” I slid my eyes to Asher who had gone tense.

Jason smirked. “You’ve got a little syrup right there.” He stood up and leaned over the counter, his arm coming toward me. “Here, let me get—”

“Don’t even think about it.” Asher wrapped his hand around Jason’s wrist, his eyes narrowed to deadly slits.

“Now you know how it feels.”

“Not the same thing at all, and you know it.”

“Yeah.” Jason grinned. “It was just too tempting to fuck with you. Now eat something, it’ll make you feel better.”

“He this bossy with you?” Asher glanced at Felicity who blushed a deep shade of red.

“Oh, you have no idea.”

“You love it,” Jason said around a mouthful of bacon.

“Maybe.” My friend was beet red now. “Just a little.”

“I can’t believe it’s January first,” Hailee said. “Graduation will be here before we know it.”

“Bring it on if you ask me. I can’t wait to get the fuck out of Rixon.”

“Jason!” Felicity scolded.

They started bickering but Asher had my full attention. He was still curled in

on himself, face hidden in the crook of his arm. I rested my hand on his thigh, squeezing gently. It was a show of support; a way to let him know I was here for him.

I didn’t expect him to straighten, clear his throat, and say, “So I have something to say and I need you to let me get it out, okay?” His eyes flicked to mine and I silently asked him if he was sure.

“It’s time,” he breathed.

Anticipation rippled around us, the air thick and heavy.

“Whatever it is, we’ve got your back,” Cam broke the awkward silence while Asher tried to find the words.

“Yeah, we’re here, man,” Jase added. “One hundred percent.”

“I know and I appreciate it. More than you know.” Asher pushed off his stool and stood up, raking a hand through his tousled bed hair. “Fuck, I don’t even know how to say this.”

“Ash...” I started but his eyes cut to mine, the pain behind them making the words dry on my tongue.

“Asher, it’s okay,” Felicity said quietly, coming around to me. “We’re all here.”

“Ah, fuck it,” he expelled a long breath and then fixed his eyes on his two best friends and then he said the words I knew it would kill him to say.

“I won’t being playing college football next season.”

Asher

The two guys who knew me better than anyone stared at me as if they no longer knew who I was.

“You’re joking,” Jase laughed but it was a strangled kind of sound that made me internally flinch. “It’s a joke.”

“It’s not a joke, Jase,” I said grimly. “I won’t be playing football for the Panthers.”