The Game: Rebels of Ridgecrest High (Book 3)

“I’m so glad you boys could make it today.” Mom hugs Hunter and walks around the table to Roman. He’s never hugged mom before, but he stands and wraps his arms around my mother. She’s dwarfed by his size.

“Oh, Roman. I have cake for you.” She sniffles and I know she’s getting emotional. I can’t do this right now. We have plans and they involve a knife and Asher. I don’t want to do cake. It won’t be the same without Mila here. And well… Asher.

“Okay, mom. We gotta go do thanksgiving at Hunter’s now. So, we will see you tomorrow.”

She’s not happy that I’m bailing out on thanksgiving so early, but I explained to her that Hunter’s mom wasn’t well so we would do lunch with mom, dad, and Grady. Plus, the boys. Then go to Hunter’s later. I haven’t seen his mom in weeks… but then I’ve been a little preoccupied trying to get Mila to kiss me. So, I hope she’s not there to witness tonight.

But tonight’s gonna be the night Mila kisses me. I’m gonna make her want to kiss me. That’s what happened with Asher. She said so herself. That it built and built until it spilled over into a kiss at the laser tag. “Epic kiss.” Were her exact words and I want to top that.

Well, okay, I’m gonna work on my kiss after Roman’s had his special birthday gift from Mila. He’s made it clear we are not to go near her room. For at least half the night. I don’t know how Hunter’s not jealous because I sure am. But I gotta hold that in. If I want her, I have to share her. Just going to take some time to get used to all of it.

“Take leftovers, and the cake.” Mom packs everything up into Tupperware containers while we wait for her in the kitchen. I message Asher letting him know to meet us at Hunter’s place in ten.

“You say hi to your parents from us, Hunter. Haven’t seen them in so long. You father’s always working so hard.”

Yeah… you could say that. Working so hard, he’s never around. But Hunter just smiles and tells dad he will pass on the message. I know he won’t. not because he doesn’t want to. But because he won’t see his dad for so long, he will have forgotten it by then. I really don’t like his dad.

Grady gives the guys a small hug and leaves the room. Probably to go call his boyfriend. Well… he hasn’t told me if it’s official, but he’s been seeing Makai. At least openly around our house. Not so openly at school, but he doesn’t have to. Until yesterday, Roman didn’t kiss Mila in public. But now everyone knows. So, I can understand Grady wanting privacy. Because that shit was crazy.

We all jump into Hunter’s car. I can’t wipe the smile from my face. This is going to hurt like hell. But Asher wants to do it. That’s the only way that Roman and Hunter will give their blessing for him to date Mila.

“So, you’ve got the knife?” I ask Roman, who’s sitting in the back seat with his bag. He pats it.

“Yeah, the same one. If he’s going to be one of us, this is the only way.” I nod.

Asher was told he needs to be a blood brother. It’s the only way. Or he will always be the outsider.

I’m glad that with age, the sight of blood doesn’t affect me anymore, but there’s no way that I could make that cut on Asher without vomiting. Roman offered to do it soon as it was mentioned. Said it had to be him. After all, he was the one who came up with the original idea.

When we pull into Hunter’s property. Asher’s standing there waiting for us. He’s wearing all black. That’s a smart choice. Roman chuckles deeply. It’s a little evil sounding. But I like it. I feel the same way.

We pile out of the car and wave over to Asher to follow me. It’s dark now and the full moon’s out. But we use the flashlights on our phones to guide us into the yard where it all began.

“Do you think we should have invited Mila?” I whisper to Hunter. I only just realized now that it’s not exactly the same without her there.

Hunter pauses for a second then looks back to Asher. He shakes his head.

“No, this has to be done without her. She wants him. He gives her butterflies. This is where we make him work for her. If he really wants in, he’ll do this.”

Asher overhears us and replies.

“I want this to work. I want to be with Mila, and I understand this is the way it has to be for you guys.”

Roman calls for us to hurry up. I would say he’s a little impatient but it’s his birthday and he wants to see Mila. We track our way through the backyard and into the spot where it all began. Roman drops his backpack and pulls out the knife.

Asher takes a step back, then shakes his head, holding his hands up.

“Okay, I didn’t know there was a knife involved.” He turns pale in the moonlight. Roman chuckles, think this is more for him than the rest of us. Hell, I’m thinking Mila has no idea what’s going on. This is the Roman show. I’m just along for the ride.

“How did you think we got the blood brother scars? Mila has one on her palm too. They’re identical. We made a pact to be together forever. If you want this. If you truly want to be with Mila. You will be part of this and wear the scar on your hand.” Roman explains to him.

“Don’t worry, football season is over. You have me to contend with next season. So, if you don’t heal up, I have no problems taking your spot on the team.” Hunter jokes with him.

Asher mumbles. “Fuck, I didn’t think about that.”

Hunter laughs. “Yeah, I’m not a quarterback like Jace. I’m a wide receiver dude.”

“Alright, let’s get this over with because Roman has a date tonight with a very special lady and it’s cold out here.” I didn’t want to wait around here any longer. And I sure as hell didn’t want to hear them fighting over who was going to be the wide receiver for the King’s next season.

I didn’t even want to think about Hunter not being a Rebel anymore. Hell, this time next week he won’t even be attending Ridgecrest high anymore.

I fucking hate his dad for doing this. Splitting us up like this. Doesn’t matter what school you go to. Education is education in my eyes.

Roman flicks the knife out, the silver of it gleans in the moonlight. I hear Asher take a small intake of breath. I realize now that we made another mistake about this. We all did it together. As in we pressed our palms together to make the blood pact.

But that’s another thing Roman doesn’t care about. He said this was the only way, and I believe him. But now everything is piecing together, and I think this might have a little bit more to do with the kiss last night.

I’d been a little upset that Mila had kissed Asher before she kissed me. So, I thought this was a good idea. I remember that knife and that hurt like a bitch.

“Do you want this? do you really want this?” Roman asks Asher.

“Yes, I’ve told you I do. She’s it for me. I don’t care how young we are. I just know it in my bones. I love her.”

Roman nods, then punches Asher in the stomach and he keels over and groans. Hunter looks just as confused as I am, but Roman nods for us to come over.

“Hunter, it’s your turn,” and Asher stands up. Getting ready for another blow.

Okay, this is new as well. No one told me that this is how it was going down. I wish they would talk to me more so we’d all be on the same page coming, not this. Hunter hits him in the stomach, only this time Asher drops to his knees and hisses out in pain.

Hunter looks to me, and he doesn’t even have to say a word. I know what to do. I’m going to enjoy it, just a little. Asher can be a cocky asshole, but he seems to have soften around Mila. He gets to his feet, but this time. He tries to stand tall, but the pain he’s in won’t let him. I hit him in the same spot, only I give him a soft blow. He groans but keeps standing.

I eye Hunter, but he just shrugs. Okay, I guess that wasn’t just new to me and Roman took some creative flare.

“Hold your hand out,” Asher gives his right hand over to Roman. Then quickly changes his mind to his left.

“Good idea.” I tell him. Or he won’t be jerking off with that hand for weeks.

Roman takes his hand in his and looks Asher in the eye.

“Do you promise to take care of Mila? Protect each other, our secrets, and our lives. Blood friends for life.” The words are new and old. Mixed with the words of our past.

“I promise.” Asher says, and I can hear in his voice his wants this. He really does love Mila..

“Blood Brothers.” Hunter cheers and I do the same.

“Blood Brothers for life,” Roman says as he draws the blade across Asher’s palm.

Asher let out a hiss and grunt, as he stumbles forward looking at his hand. The blood pools there. He clenches it, trying his best to stop it. But it just runs down his wrist. Shit, we should have brought a towel to stop the bleeding.

“Congratulations, blood brother.” I’m the first to say, as I grab his shoulder and squeeze it.

“Blood brother for life.” Hunter hugs him.

Roman grunts as he digs a hole and buries the knife in the dirt.

“Blood brothers.” He pats Asher on the back.

Look back to where the knife is now buried. I point to it.

“Was that buried there before? For the past four years and you dug it up?” Hunter nods.

“Yeah, he dug it up earlier. Look at all the holes. He couldn’t remember exactly where he buried it. Was like finding a treasure.”

Huh. I didn’t realize he had buried it back then. But then at the same time. I hadn’t seen it in four years. He cleaned it up before he cut Asher, right? I looked to Asher and decide to hold that question until I’m alone with Roman.

“So, is that how it went back when Mila was with you and you all did it together?” Asher asks. He holds his hand now. Probably to stop the bleeding.

“More or less,” I reply.

“Less Jace fainting and more punching this time.” Hunter chuckles, and Asher’s mouth drops open.

“Wait up. Are you telling me you all hit me, and it’s not a part of it?”

“Not originally no, that was a last-minute change.” Roman says. I can see him hiding a grin. Asher makes a sound and I feel bad… just a little for the guy.

“Very last minute. I didn’t even realize it was gonna happen.” I reply.

Asher doesn’t look impressed with that, but what can he say? It’s already happened and now he’s one of us.

“That won’t happen again, you’re one of us now.” Roman states.

But I’m not sure that sounds convincing to Asher. He looks at us all and shakes his head.

“Okay, so this means I can be with Mila now and you’re all good with it?”

Hunter nods and Roman grunts. I raise my hand.

“No, I’m not good with it because I’m not with her. I was supposed to be next, but you jumped your turn. We were supposed to go me, then you.” I kick the dirt on the ground and fill one hole that Roman dug earlier.

“I’m not sorry,” Asher smirks, and I shrug.

“What can I say? She picked you and not me. But tonight, I’m going to fix that. She’s going to kiss me. I just know it.”

“Yeah, after she sucks Roman’s cock.” Hunter chuckles. Fuck no. Before that. I don’t want to taste that in my mouth. Okay, sharing’s going to be more than interesting. Lots of teeth brushing… yet is that enough to not taste my friend’s cum in her mouth? How do Hunter and Roman do this?

“We also have to have a rule about group times together with her, because now there are eight arms and four dicks. Only one Mila.”

“Let me get this straight. Are you talking about group sex?” I’m so lost right now.

“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m talking about because now there’s more of us, chances are we might accidentally touch each other.”

Holy shit. Hunter and Roman have been sharing her in and out of the bedroom. That didn’t even cross my mind.

“But we’ll talk about that later. It’s Roman’s birthday and Mila has a present to give him.” Hunter says as he walks back towards the car.

Asher holds his hand and follows. I fall back beside him. He drove here, and I don’t think he’s gonna make it back with that cut.

“Hey, I’ll drive you back. Then when we get back to your place, I’ll help you with the first aid kit.” I don’t want his hand getting all infected or Mila seeing it.

“Thanks for not hitting hard.” I chuckle.

“I knew you were gonna get cut, so I took it easy on you.”

I hope Mila doesn’t see Asher and freak out.

Chances are… she will.