Page 28 of Promise Me Not

Huh. Okay, he’s got balls.

Jury is still out on how big.

I look to Payton, who tries to hide a shocked smile against his puny chest.

“All right, kid.” I fight a grin when his eyes narrow at the wordkid. “You’ve got sport. We’ll play your way for a while.”

Ari sighs and taps his shoulder. “Sorry, Deaton. But you’re screwed. When Mason decides he cares, he’s a thousand percent. No chill factor. Sorry to say…but he never lets up.”

Everyone looks my way, so I force a grin. “She’s my sister from another mister,” I pop off, clearing my throat after. That was a stupid thing to say, but whatever. It’s probably true anyway. That’s how things are with Cameron. She’s Ari’s best friend, therefore she’s family. Can’t let anyone fuck with family.

“How old are you?” Chase pipes up, staring at Deaton with a blank expression.

I smack Chase’s arm, nodding my approval at his question, and join in on the glaring.

“Seventeen,” Deaton answers, unbothered by all the third degree he’s been getting since he arrived in town.

Parker never got on our asses about the whole taking him down in the sand thing, so it’s safe to say they didn’t tell him. Probably too embarrassing for him, getting blindsided like that.

The dude should really pay attention to his surroundings. It’s no wonder he’s a wrestler and not a football player. He probably can’t handle focusing on more than one person at a time.

“She’s sixteen.” Chase frowns.

Almost seventeen…

“I’m aware.” Deaton pulls her closer. “Been in love with her since she was thirteen.”

Chase nods, glancing over at Payton a moment before looking away.

But what the fuck, in love since thirteen? Ain’t no way…is there?

The only thing I loved at thirteen was my PlayStation remote, pizza, and football.

I eye the pair curiously, and I don’t realize my head is cocked as I stare until my sister’s hand comes across the back of my skull, knocking me out of it.

I grin her way, and she rolls her eyes.

Oh yeah, and I love my family, but my sister the most. She’s the be-all and end-all of my existence. My only purpose outside of football.

Without the two, I’d just be a dickhead who laughs when he’s stressed and smiles when he wants to punch something but can’t. Ari is the softness I don’t have but wish I did.

That’s okay, though. It just means when life is tough, I get to be the rock she needs.

And I need to be needed.

Maybe it’s a brother thing or a twin thing. Maybe it’s just a me thing, but I don’t do well when I’m optional. It’s why I was the best high school quarterback in the state two years running.

You don’tneeda backup quarterback. The position exists as a precaution, ajust in case, and yeah, more often than not, that backup straps in and hits the field a handful of times a season, but the starter?

That number one slot?

Youneedthat fucker.

And all my life, that fucker has been me because I make sure it is. I bust my ass all year long so there is never a doubt in anyone’s mind.

“Okay, they’re all overprotective fools, nothing new. Now, can we eat?” Cameron whines.

Everyone gets seated, and I quickly squeeze my ass into the seat right across from the happy little couple.

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