AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I wouldn’t trust me either, but I’m good for it. I’m done with this high school bullshit.”
Morgan flashes across my mind. “You and me both.” But it’s her warning about the old QB that still bothers me. “Hey.” I catch Topher before he takes off. “What happened with Fabian?”
“Shoulder injury and no hopes to ever play again.”
“Yeah. I heard. But is there more to the story?” There always is when Morgan King’s involved. And when Topher shifts uncomfortably and breaks eye contact, I know he’s aware of the rest of the story even as he denies it. “Just a gruesome accident that I wouldn’t wish on anyone.”
So, he either doesn’t trust me or doesn’t want to betray her. Neither sits well with me, but I understand both.
8
MORGAN
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I ask my brother, who’s been pouting all damn day. Even though we’re on our way to Topher’s, he’s being more of a sourpuss.
Ryder fidgets in the passenger seat and turns his body to face out the window. I hate the silent treatment, particularly from him. Because that’s when something is truly bothering him. And I have two good guesses about his problem. “Is it Dad or Harrison?”
“Just drive, Morgan.” Damn. He’s not mad, he sounds sad.
“I am driving. And we still have plenty of time until we’re there.” Fucking Topher insisted on having the party at his house. How he drives this every morning to Saint Juliet, I don’t freakin’ know. Even after crossing the river, it’s still another twenty-minute drive in the pitch-ass-dark backwoods. But at least Ryder is stuck in the car with me for a while. “You know I’m not gonna give up, so save us both the headache and just tell me.”
He curses me under his breath but spares me a lot of effort as he confesses, “It’s both. First, it was the damn game. So, I went to it because Harrison wanted to. Now, it’s the damn workshop at New Acadia U. Dad invited him, and he’s drooling over the prospect of being on campus and getting a special pass. Dad used him to get to me, and he’s using me to get Dad’s special NAU hookup.”
Fuck. After everything with Dad, I get why Ryder is upset he’s involved in any way. But I don’t think Harrison is using him. “The guy has full rides to his choice schools. He doesn’t need you to get him a special pass, Ryder.”
“You know what I mean.”
“No, I really don’t. All I know is you’re letting Dad screw up something that has made you happier than I’ve ever seen you. And again, Harrison has options, both academic and fuckable. He doesn’t need you to secure his prospects.”
“Harrison doesn’t know. He thinks Dad is this great legend who loves the game. He doesn’t know what a piece of shit he really is.”
“Then tell him.”
“No, then he’ll pity me.”
“Oh my fuckin’ God. Then stop being a whiny bitch and don’t tell him. But get out of this bitchy mood.”
“Yeah. Look who’s talking.” He gives a condescending laugh as he motions to me.
“Exactly. I’m bitchy enough for the both of us so get over it.”
“You should take your own advice. Just get over it.”
Ryder is right about a lot of stuff. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to follow his tip to take my own advice. “Fuck forgiveness. Fuck moving on. And fuck letting things go.”
“Okay, Morgan. Because you being a raging bitch is gonna help so much.”
“It helps me feel better.”
“If this is you feeling better, then I’m really concerned.” Ryder pauses for a second and I know I’m going to hate whatever he’s about to say. “You know Dad’s gonna get exactly what he wants, right? That stupid state title will be his.” Ryder faces away and stares out the passenger window. “And he’ll still be a miserable son of a bitch.”
“Yeah. I guessed as much.” After the easy win last night against Oakwood, I realized Cade wasn’t simply experiencing beginner’s luck. The jackass truly has a gift for the sport. The kind of gift my dad was so disappointed the universe didn’t bestow upon my brother.
“But I guess it’s a good thing. The more he focuses on the game, the less he gives a fuck what I’m doing. Most of the time.” His tone makes it sound like anything but a good thing.
“Just talk to Harrison and tell him why you don’t want to go. He’ll understand.”
Ryder lets out a sigh. “And if he doesn’t?”
