Page 3 of His Team

She couldn’t get into college with the rest of us and she’s been sulking since we all got our acceptance letters and registered for classes.

This isn’t about me, so I couldn’t choose a different school she’d gotten into. Caleb is supersmart. When we started to receive offers to play ball, this school was at the top of his list.

The academic program here is top tier. That was as important for Caleb as playing was. Dakota might be shit at math, but with Caleb’s help, she made the grades needed to get in.

Kay spent too much time focused on cheerleading and friends. She didn’t even focus on competitive cheerleading where she would have had a chance at a scholarship. Her focus was on being popular.

Now she wants to blame me for everything. I didn’t fail her classes or choose to leave her behind. None of this is about her or me.

Caleb comes first. He has to be okay before I can figure any of my shit out. I can always find my way. My brother, on the other hand, needs someone in his corner to make sure he does.

That’s always been me. It will always be me until he doesn’t need me anymore. I don’t know if that will ever be the case, but if it never is, I’m good with that.

The world wants to place Caleb in a box I’ve never thought he belongs in. That’s their problem, not ours. I’ve always accepted Caleb for who he is.

The more I do, the more he grows and does his best. When he gets comfortable in his own skin, he’ll shock the hell out of you. I love that about him.

“Come on, let’s sit back here,” I murmur to Caleb and nod my head at a few rows of empty seats.

“No. If you sit in the back, you don’t intend to listen or learn. We need to be closer to the front,” he replies like only he can.

I roll my eyes but don’t argue. I can tell this will be a trigger. Good thing I see Dakota closer to the front waving to get our attention as she has two empty seats next to her.

“Kota saved us seats up there,” I whisper and nod.

Caleb follows my gaze then purses his lips and squints. Then he starts to blink rapidly. I reach for his bicep to give it a gentle squeeze.

We’ve been working on this one. He flinches just a bit but stops blinking and nods to let me know he’s back in control. I release my hold immediately.

“You’ve got this,” I whisper.

And even if he doesn’t, I’m here. We’ll do this together. My little brother wants to go to college and then make it to the league.

I’m not going to allow Mama, Kayleen, or anyone else to get in the way of that. The next four years are ours to command. Let the pieces fall where they may.

Kayleen

I sit nervously at the kitchen island in the Perry household. I didn’t know what else to do, so I called Mrs. Perry to have a talk. I need someone to tell me I’m not crazy.

I feel like Cameron and I are growing apart, and if I don’t do something, I might lose him. The problem is, I don’t know what to do. The more I try to address things with Cam, the worse it gets.

“You want some breakfast, sugar?” Mrs. Jemma asks as she floats into the kitchen.

Mr. Perry has been sitting with his paper and breakfast while I’ve been sitting here waiting. Sometimes I question whether or not he likes me. He and my daddy are good friends, but I can’t say I always feel like he’s a fan of mine or my relationship with Cam.

It wasn’t always this way. He used to treat me like family. Things changed about a year and a half ago.

“No, thank you. I don’t think I can stomach anything this morning,” I say and wipe at the sweat on my brow.

I’m nervous as heck. Mrs. Jemma could call me crazy and kick me right on out of here. I hope she doesn’t. I don’t know what I would do next.

“Nonsense. Have some toast and juice,” she says and gestures for the chef to bring me both.

My family has money, but the Perrys are next-level wealthy. The Perrys have a full staff and live like royalty. At least Mrs. Jemma does, and everyone else lives in her bubble.

The staff members have been around more than Mr. and Mrs. Perry themselves. I smile at Martha as she places a glass of apple juice and a plate of toast and strawberries in front of me. She knows what I like from all the time I spend here with Cam.

“Thank you,” I say.

---