The Endgame Is You (Rixon Raiders #4) - L A Cotton Page 0,7
With Linc out—”
“I get it.”
“Tonight. Me, you, and our favorite takeout?”
My smile fell. “I’m volunteering at the shelter.”
He mumbled his displeasure under his breath.
“I won’t be late. Why don’t you hang out with the guys at The Gridiron and I’ll meet you afterward?” The sports bar was on my route home from Paws, the animal shelter I helped at sometimes.
“Yeah?”
I nodded, and Jason leaned in capturing my lips again. “I know I’m a lot,” he whispered, “but it’s only because I’m so fucking crazy about you.”
Love wrapped around me like a warm blanket as I fisted his hoodie tighter. “The feeling is entirely mutual.”
“Yo, Ford,” Gio yelled. I liked him. He was American-Italian and hailed from Verona County in Rhode Island. He had an adorable habit of cussing in Italian. It wasn’t any wonder they called it the language of love; his accent was so freakin’ dreamy.
“Yeah, yeah, Abato,” Jase shouted back. “That’s my cue.” He stole another kiss. “I’ll see you later.”
Pressing my lips into a small smile, I nodded. “Go show them who’s boss, Captain.” I smirked. Jason chuckled, giving me a flirty wink before taking off toward his friends and teammates.
I watched them jostle him, fist bumping and laughing. He looked so happy, so free. He’d slipped into college life with ease. Even with his intense athletic schedule, he was doing well in his classes and keeping up with the workload. Nothing fazed him.
Unlike me, who had almost failed my freshman year.
I shook off the feelings of inferiority. This year would be better. This year I would give my studies everything, and now I had Darcy in my corner, everything would work out.
Except as I headed for my first class, I couldn’t stop the seed of doubt taking root in my stomach.
Jason
“What’s up, man?” Gio asked as he spotted me on the weight bar. “You seem... tense.”
“Felicity got a tutor.”
“And that’s a problem wh—” Realization dawned on his face. “The tutor is a guy?”
My jaw clenched as I pictured that fucker’s face. I didn’t know him from Adam, but I already didn’t like him. He’d be spending time with Felicity. My woman, the other half of my fucking soul. Possessive asshole or not, I was not okay with some guy spending quality time alone with my girl.
“It’s just tutoring.” He snorted. “You don’t have anything to worry about.”
“Don’t I?” My brow rose.
Felicity was gorgeous. All seductive curves and wild spirit. I saw guys around campus watching her, wishing they could have a taste. They soon backed the fuck off when they saw me, but still.
“Seriously, bro, Fee wouldn’t look twice at another guy. She doesn’t get all crazy possessive when we hang out with the cheer squad.”
Oh, she did. I just didn’t advertise the fact. Freshman year, Felicity had almost attacked a girl for trying to get my number at a party. Instead, I’d dragged her to the nearest bedroom and fucked the anger right out of her.
Our love was like wildfire. It burned constantly. Throw water on it and it simmered to a gentle flicker, but add a strong wind and it became an inferno. Ferocious and unpredictable.
“This is why I don’t have a girlfriend,” Griffin joined us. “Too much drama for my liking.”
“Dude, you don’t have a girl because you’re a walking, talking STI.” Gio exploded with laughter but it became muted when Griffin punched him in the arm.
“I had chlamydia once. One fucking time. She told me she was—”
“Rule number one, Griff,” I said. “Always wrap it.”
“Yeah,” he dragged a hand through his hair, “And what’s rule number two?”
“Get a steady girl and then you won’t have to worry about wrapping it.”
Gio and I shared a knowing smile. He wasn’t in a serious relationship like me and Felicity, but he had steady pussy.
“Nah, I need to sow my wild oats before I settle down.” Griffin grabbed some free weights and started pumping.
“You just haven’t met the right girl,” I said. I didn’t make a habit of sharing my personal life, but Gio and Griffin were my closest friends on the team. Both juniors, they’d taken me under their wing last year. It wasn’t the same as having Cameron and Asher—guys who had known me most of my life—in my corner, but I trusted them. And sometimes, when I needed to, I confided in them.
“You guys want to get a drink at The Gridiron later?” I asked them.
“Fee giving you a free pass?” Gio smirked and I flipped him off.