The Win: Rebels of Ridgecrest High (Book 4)

I can’t believe the end of summer is already here. Senior year starts next week, and I can’t believe it was only a year ago I was back here. In one year so much has happened.

I look up at the clouds. And sigh as Hunter runs his hands through my hair. We’re out on the grass in the backyard. Asher and Jace are messing around in the pool. Jace has Asher in a headlock, this is the new normal for them. They act like brothers I have figured out. It’s not that Jace is upset with him or anything. I think it’s because Asher came in so late, and this is just the way guys bond.

At least I hope this is it. Grady and Jace are like this too, so I’m hoping that’s all. I’m also hoping they grow out of it, because I swear the two of them drive me nuts when they’re in a mood.

“Did you want any more watermelon?” Angela yells out from the side door. I wave over at her. Divorce and rehab look so good on her.

“No thank you.” I call out. Roman gets up from where he’s been reading a book and jogs over to her. I watch him as he goes. I bite my lip at those legs. Fuck, I want to climb him like a tree.

Sudden pleasure comes over my nipples, and I can feel it all the way down to my core. Look down and Hunter’s fingers are there rubbing over my tee.

“Hunter?”

“Just helping you out for when he comes back.” I slap his hand away.

“I’m a little sore from last night, so I need some time to recover.”

Hunter chuckles. Last night was fun. I wish Jace would join in, but he always makes up for it after. Asher and Hunter kisses again last night and fuck, it was hot. Roman fucked me from behind so I could watch… I came. Hard.

They have only kissed a few times. It’s like the heat of the moment and they finally let loose a little. I want them to drop their masks, and both just feel it. Be in the moment, but they can’t until they’re ready.

“There’s people coming to look at the house later. I fucking hate that he’s selling it. I wish I had the money to keep it. Did you know he pulled my college fund? He used it for a down payment on a house with his new wife. So now college is out of the picture unless I can get a heap of student loans. I didn’t need a scholarship before, but now I do. This year I have to play hard.

“We need Roman on the team. Without him, we’re gonna be shit. But I don’t know how to get him back to school. He’s been working at the shop with Ronnie. Even talked about buying the shop from him. I know that’s what he wants, but I just want us all together. One last year.”

He kisses my forehead as I watch Roman return with a plate of watermelon. Jace jumps out of the pool dripping wet and shakes his hair… like a dog. I giggle as Roman cops it all. Roman shoves Jace back into the pool and Asher gets in him a choke hold. I roll my eyes, and Roman sees it. He grins.

“Do we have to take the children to the party later?” he asks. I laugh. It’s so true. They’re children… But I love it. It means they feel safe enough to be like this. And that’s all that matters to me.

“It’s Grady’s going away to college party.” I tell him. Roman shrugs. And I giggle. He sits down and looks back over at the two of them wrestling under the water and I reach over and steal the watermelon from his hand. I take a big bite before he can get it back.

“Hey, you said you didn’t want any.” I chew with my mouth open, and he launches himself at me. Pins me onto the grass and I laugh, almost choking on the watermelon.

“That’s mine. You need to give it back.” I quickly swallow and poke my tongue out at him. He growls, pinning me with my hands above my head and he grinds himself into me. I raise a brow at him. He wants to play this game. It’s on.

I wrap my legs around his waist and pull him tight and rock against him. I can feel him growing harder. He growls into my ear.

“If Angela wasn’t home, I would fuck you right here on the grass where anyone could see. I would eat your pussy until you’re screaming my name.” I gasp.

Okay, I hadn’t been expecting him to say that. And now I want it. Angela can just stay inside for a little longer. He pulls away and I’m left laying there. My heart racing and the loss of pressure against my clit has me pouting. God, he’s just as bad as Hunter. I swear the two of them must sit around when I’m not here and practice dirty lines to get me all worked up.

I get up and brush myself off.

I look over to the house, it’s beautiful. I have always thought so. It’s a big house. Big enough for us all. There’s a heap of bedrooms, enough for one each. I look at the bushes. We wanted the treehouse to go. Fuck Hunter’s dad for denying us that one little thing. He was an asshole then, and nothing changed.

I can’t believe he’s selling this place. I hate that for Hunter. It’s bullshit. This place was one of my favorite places to come to growing up. Escaping in Hunter’s large yard. Playing princesses and knights. Swimming in the pool. Playing football… so much football.

I smile at the memories we had here. So many.

“Go long, Jace.” Hunter says as he holds the football. I grin. I’m gonna get him. Hunter is a terrible quarterback, yelling out all his calls for everyone to hear. Roman looks at me and nods. We’re ready for them.

As soon as Jace runs, I barrel towards Hunter and tackle him before the ball even leave his hand.

“Mila, ugh, get off me.” He groans under me. I get off and hold my hand out to pull him up. He takes it and shoots to his feet, his curls bobbing on his head, and I smile. I love his curls; they are so cute. He hates when I tell him that, so I try not to. I pull on one and he swats my hand away.

“Mila. You promised you will give me five seconds.” I purse my lips. I did.

“Sorry, I just got excited.” I can’t help it. This is why dad says I can’t play defense anymore. I tend to tackle first and then think later. I like to win. Especially against the boys.

Roman runs to me and high fives me. He has a huge smile on his face and his hair is flopping over his face. He pushes it behind his ear and looks me up and down.

“That was hard, Mila. Are you okay?” I shake my head and dust off the dirt off my knee.

“Nah, I don’t hurt. Hunter?” I turn to him, and I see him limping away. My heart squeezes in my chest. I hurt him. I didn’t mean to. Dad was right. I need to stop being on defense. I can’t hurt my friends. Especially Hunter. He’s the smallest of us all, so I have to be gentler. I follow him to our secret spot.

“Are you okay?” I ask. When he turns to me, he shakes his head, and I can see tears on his cheeks.

“Oh no Hunter, I’m so sorry. I’ll get your mom.” He reaches out and takes my hand. It’s warm in mine and I hold him back. He looks down at our hands and shakes his head.

“No, don’t. She’s sleeping. I’m not hurt, not really.” He lets go of my hand. I look down at his ankle as he sits down in the dirt. He looks up at me, those big chocolate eyes filled with tears and mine do the same. I quickly sit next to him.

“It’s okay. I will fix you. I can get some ice and make you feel better.” I try to stand again, but he holds my arm tight.

“I’m not crying from my ankle. It’s just… everything. Dad. Just… don’t leave. Stay here with me?” I nod on his shoulder as he holds me and cries. I cry with him; my mom and dad fight too, and it makes me cry. So, I know how it feels to keep it in all day.

I wish we had our treehouse here. It’s so pretty and the trees will hide it from everyone. Maybe we can build one and Hunter’s dad can’t say no then. It will be our secret, like our secret spot.

Holy shit. I know how to keep Hunter’s house. I’m not going to college, I don’t need money for that, but Gail said college and a first home.

I look up at the house again. It’s huge… it’s not a first house a normal person buys. But I know how much is in that bank account. And I have more than enough to buy it. Why didn’t I think of this before?

I scramble to my feet and look for my cell. Hunter peers up at me.

“Did you lose something?” he asks. I nod, my cell. He reaches behind him and hands it to me.

“Thanks,” I rush off barefoot to the secret spot. I look down and see Joe’s number. I haven’t spoken to him since… well since then. I wonder if he will even remember me. I press dial and put the cell to my ear. I pace, pulling on the ends of my hair as I wait.

“Mila hart, how may I help you?” Joe says, and I smile.

“I want to buy a house…”