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Jax laughed and took a bite of what was clearly multicolored Os. I groaned. The worst part of them being over all the time is they ate my stuff, especially Jax. That kid devoured everything since he shot up six inches in tenth grade.
A jolt of electricity buzzed up my arm when Lucas’s elbow brushed mine. He slid a bowl full of my cereal over to me. “Thank you.” My voice came out a whisper, and my heart jumped in my chest, knowing he clearly made sure I got some. But it dropped when he just grunted, barely acknowledging me. How could someone be so sweet at night and become so distant during the day?
Marcus looked between Lucas and me, and his eyes narrowed before his shoulders relaxed like he decided there was nothing to worry about. He’d laid down the no-dating-my-little-sister rule years ago despite my protests, and the guys had taken it seriously. So seriously that they’d extended it to our entire school. Thank God we’d graduated and I could do whatever the hell I wanted now. Well, almost…
I peeked at Lucas, trying not to look too desperate, but at least they wouldn’t be able to control who I dated. Jayden was a colossal disaster, but I wasn’t going to let him ruin the rest of my summer.
I poured almond milk into my bowl and triedto keep my gaze to myself. I liked to separate the colors, eating the yellow ones first and finishing with the blue last.
I wasn’t sure when my feelings for Lucas shifted from friendship to obsession. Honestly, it might have been the very first time I’d woken up from a nightmare with him promising me I was safe. Back then, my nightmares plagued me nearly every night. My parents thought moving into the new house was what stopped them, but it was Lucas whispering he was there and nothing would happen to me that helped me get through the nights. I’d believed him then, just like I believed him now.
Marcus leaned back on his stool, a wide smile crossing his lips. “What are we up to today?”
“I’ve got practice,” I said between bites. After winning the high school national volleyball championship, I was on too much of a high to give it a rest. So, I joined a summer league the second it opened.
Jax stood from the island and placed his bowl in the dishwasher. “Okay, well, you suck.” He looked at the other two. “What are we up to?”
“I say we head to the Elora Gorge to meet up with some girls. Since you know I’m winning the Hunt this year.” Marcus replied immediately, and Lucas stiffened beside me.
I choked on my cereal, and all eyes landed on me. “Aren’t you a little old for that?”
Marcus laughed. “You’re just mad that you don’t get to participate.”
I narrowed my eyes, tired of this little-sister BS. “I could, you know. I’d likely win.”
Lucas’s arm twitched, and his voice was a low command. “Not going to happen, Killer.”
“Why? You don’t think I could get more guys than you could girls?” I raised a brow in question, forcing myself to look more sure than I was.
A muscle in Lucas’s jaw worked, and he cleared his throat before looking away. “No I don’t.”
Pain radiated from my chest, followed quickly by embarrassment. Of course he’d think that. They were all eighteen and NHL draft contenders and had puck bunnies chasing them.
On the other hand, I was just barely not a virgin, thanks to their “no touching” rule. Lucas leaned forward as they planned their little conquest, but I couldn’t hear him through the rushing in my ears. It hurt to know someone else was getting the attention I so desperately wanted. I cleared my throat and got up from the table, nearly knocking my stool over. “I’ve got to go.”
Lucas stood up, eyes searching over my face, trying to get a read on me, but I plastered on my best smile, one I’d used on my parents countless times. His brows pulled together, and he took a step toward me. “I’ll give you a ride.”
I shook my head as a queasy feeling settled in my stomach. I suddenly couldn’t stand to be anywhere near him. “Nah, I’m fine. I’ll see you guys later.”
Lucas didn’t push harder, but his eyes didn’t leave mine. “Don’t forget we’re going to the Gorge tonight.”
“I’ve got plans.” I didn’t, but a thrill went through me at the look on his face. I’d never passed up a time to hang out with them before, but if they were going to play their stupid game, I wasn’t going to stick around to watch it. I didn’t think I could handle that. I grabbed my keys from the counter and headed out the front door to wait for Shana to pick me up, ignoring Marcus’s questions about what I was up to. I was done with him controlling everything I did.
SIX
PIPER
Forty-five minutes into practice,I lifted the edge of my shirt to wipe sweat off my face, and Shana did the same beside me. Right now, the only thought going through my head was that it was freaking hot. The humidity trapped in the high school gym made it a struggle to take a breath. I had been ecstatic when Coach Bowen announced we were scrimmaging today. I hadn’t anticipated it would feel like hell on earth. At least this was the last set. If we got the point, we would win the match and be done with the game.
Sweat rolled down my chest, pooling in my sports bra as I bent my knees into the ready position directly in front of the net. Shana’s panting breath came from my left as we both watched her girlfriend, Hailey, line up as the opposing team’s server. Shana had been my setter in high school too. She set the ball up for me to strike it down on our opponents’ side. We had gotten to the point where we didn’t need to speak to know what the other was thinking. She was at least a half of a foot shorter than me and had a decent amount of muscle on her. She looked fierce with her dark hair braided back and off her face, and her neon purple eyeliner stood out against her warm brown complexion.
Shana glanced over to me, and I nodded. We were finishing this, even if it killed me to do it. And honestly, it just might with the way my chest was compressing with the need to breathe. Shana stared at her girlfriend across the court, a small smile forming on both of their lips. They lived for this competition.
She served the ball in an arc over the net, and it went exactly where I knew it would, slamming firmly into Nikki’s waiting forearms. My muscles tensed with anticipation as the ball was passed to Shana, and I was already jumping into the air as she perfectly placed it for me. The other team didn’t stand a chance. My hand connected with the ball with a hard smack, and it shot directly into the ground before anyone could touch it.
I tipped my head back, taking in a deep breath, then looked at my friends across the net. We were opponents today, but we would be back to being teammates tomorrow. They may have lost, but even they looked relieved it was over.
Shana bounced over to me and handed me my water bottle, curious eyes tracking me while I took a long sip. I raised a brow. “What?”
