The Trouble With You (Rixon Raiders #1) - L A Cotton Page 0,1

going to say a thing,” he replied around a half-smile, as I grabbed the Pop-Tart box from the cabinet and shoved one in the toaster.

“Those things will rot your teeth.”

“Does this face look like it cares?”

“Let’s be honest.” Jason breezed into the room. “No one’s going to be looking at your face today.”

“Fuck you,” I mouthed.

“I heard that,” Kent grumbled earning me a snicker from Jason.

They were as bad as each other. Like father, like son. Jason had his dad’s good looks: unruly brown hair, ice blue eyes framed by long lashes, and a smile that could charm even the most prudish girl to drop her panties. But it was more than that. Jason came from a long line of football players. Rumor around town was Kent had been headed straight to the NFL before a senior-year injury ended his successful college career with the Penn Quakers. It must have been a bitter pill to swallow, but now Jason was set to follow in his footsteps. And the whole town couldn’t be prouder. Someone pass me the bucket.

The toaster popped, and I pulled off a piece of paper towel, using it as a glove to retrieve the Pop-Tart. “That’s me, bye,” I said. “Try not to break a leg.” I winked at Jason before leaving the house.

My best friend Felicity—or Flick as I tended to call her—was already waiting for me at the end of the driveway in her sunflower yellow Beetle. “That’s an interesting look you have going on there.” She smothered a laugh as I climbed inside.

“Ugh, don’t.” I shoved my glasses onto my head to keep my hair from my face as I bit into the Pop-Tart, letting the sugary overload tamp down some of my anger. “Jason stole all my bras.”

I’d had to improvise and wear a bikini top. It had a little padding, but it was obvious to anyone who knew me I didn’t have my usual support. With the weather still warm though, it wasn’t like I could wear anything other than a t-shirt. Not unless I wanted to spend the day sweating and unsupported.

Flick snickered as she drove off. “You’d really think he has more important things to do with his life given it’s senior year.”

“Oh no, Jason still has more than enough time to make my life hell. But don’t worry.” I flashed her a secretive smile. “I’m plotting his demise as we speak.”

She grimaced. “Not that I haven’t enjoyed you putting him in his place a time or two over the last few years, but don’t you think you should maybe... back off? He was bad last year but this year he’ll be...” She shuddered, not finishing her thought.

Flick was right.

Ever since Jason and I were forced upon one another in sixth grade, when his dad and my mom announced they were moving in together, we’d been at war. Jason didn’t want a sister and I had no time for a brother. Especially one as annoying and conceited as Jason. We were polar opposites—him: popular and athletic; and me: artsy and free-spirited. Jason lived and breathed football, like most of Rixon. But not me. I barely even knew the rules of play. Needless to say, as we got older, the rift between us only grew. He loved nothing more than to piss me the hell off and I loved nothing more than spending my days plotting my sweet revenge.

“Just because everyone else thinks the sun shines out of his ass, doesn’t mean I have to lie down at his feet and take his shit.”

Flick’s brow shot up. “He does have a rather fine ass though.”

“Take that back.” I almost choked on a mouthful of Pop-Tart. “Take that back, right now.”

“What?” Her soft laughter filled the car. “I’d never sample the goods, but it doesn’t hurt to look.”

“Oh my god, I can’t listen to this. Not first thing on a Monday morning.” I jammed my fingers in my ears, but she wouldn’t shut up.

“Don’t tell me you’ve never had a sneak peek at the guys when they’re over? You must have checked out Asher or Cameron’s—”

“Felicity Giles, who are you and what have you done with my best friend?”

“What?” She grinned. “I’m just saying, I’m all for hating on the football team, but it doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate their physical—”

“Stop.” I leaned over clapping my hand over her mouth. “Would you just stop, already?”

I didn’t want to think about Jason and his friends that way. Especially not Cameron Chase. He had