Page 29 of The Trouble with You (Rixon Raiders 1)

“Shit, Dad, I already told you I can take care of him. I can speak to Coach and maybe figure—”

“Cameron, it’s senior year.” He sighed, barely able to meet my eyes. “This year is important, Son. And Xander likes being with Katie. I know you’re capable of helping, but this is important to us. Your future is important to us.”

“How is she, Dad?” I forced the words out over the lump in my throat. “Really?”

He dragged a hand down his face letting out an exasperated breath. “Your mom is going to be fine, Son. Just fine. This new doctor is on the ball; they’re adjusting her meds and running some tests. I have a good feeling about things.”

“Good, that’s good.” Because God only knew we needed a break.

“I just need you to focus on school and football, Cameron.” He approached me. “Promise me you’ll do that?” Dad squeezed my shoulder and I managed a small nod.

“I promise.” It came out strangled. Because what else could I do?

But as Dad said goodbye and went to find Mom and Xan, I couldn’t shake the feeling there was something he wasn’t telling me.

Hailee

“Morning, sweetheart.” Mom was busy making breakfast when I finally traipsed downstairs. “Don’t forget we have to go pick out the wedding photos on Wednesday.”

I silently groaned. “Great.” Why I’d been roped into doing it when it should have been something a husband did with his new wife, was beyond me. But Kent was busy, suggesting I go in his place.

“Hailee Raine, can you at least try to pretend to be interested. This is important to me.”

“I know, Mom, I just…” Pressing my lips together, I swallowed the words I wanted to say and forced a smile. “Wednesday sounds great. Can I bring Flick?”

“I already told Mr. Fetton to expect the three of us.” She knew me so well. “So how was your weekend?” I detected a trace of suspicion in her tone.

“My weekend was fine.” It came out a little sharper than I intended.

I’d spent most of Saturday in my bedroom. Flick had come over and we’d watched cheesy horror movies and binged on junk food; then yesterday, I’d worked on a couple of art projects.

Mom inclined her head, studying me. “Are you sure? You seem—”

“I’m fine.” I smiled again.

“Because if something happened—”

“Nothing happened, Mom.” It was possible she’d heard about the pep rally; rumors flew around our town quicker than lightning, but no way was I going to bring it up. I wanted to forget all about it.

“Okay.” She conceded, something catching her eye over my shoulder. “Good morning, Jason.”

I went rigid but didn’t glance back to greet my step-brother. I hadn’t seen him all weekend, and after Friday night, I really didn’t want to. It might not have been his hands that grabbed me in the stadium and humiliated me, but I knew he put Cameron up to it. And like a good little lap dog, he’d followed his master’s orders.

My muscles tensed as I braced myself for his smug remark about it. But it never came. Instead, he offered Mom a curt, “Morning,” not sparing me a second glance.

Weird.

“Your dad already left,” Mom kept her voice breezy.

“Got it.” Jason grabbed an energy bar and one of his protein drinks and left. He didn’t shoot me a scathing look or mouth any insults behind my mom’s back.

It was certainly a first, and it had me more on edge than ever.

Mom sagged against the counter, releasing a heavy sigh. “He doesn’t make it easy, does he?” Sadness washed over her features and I hated him a little bit more for making her feel bad.

“He’s… Jason.” I sipped my juice.

“I know, I know. He’s under a lot of pressure with the team and college. But I thought… I hoped maybe with the wedding and it being senior year and all, he would—”