Page 9 of His Team

Cam is a great guy and sex with him is all the things a girl dreams of. I know if we get married, I’m going to live a pampered life but is that all I want?

Cameron will always have this sense of duty when it comes to his brother. I’m not saying he shouldn’t. We all look out for Caleb, but is that something I want to spend my life doing?

It was fine when we were younger. I’ve always protected him like my own brother, just as Cam, Thomas, and Kota have. However, what is that going to look like now that we’re all becoming adults?

“Hey, Kayleen.”

I jump as I come out of my thoughts—I hadn’t heard anyone walking over by me. Turning, I find it was Jareil Reese whocalled my name. We know him from high school and his daddy knows mine. He was the captain of the football and basketball teams. Well, up until junior year, when his daddy pulled him out and sent him to some expensive school where he had a better chance at going to a great college for sports.

We were friends before he left. Well, he and Cam were friends, but I was always around. I cheered for many of Jareil’s games.

“Hey, JR,” I say.

“It feels like it’s been forever. You look great, Kay. What have you been up to?”

I try not to blush and fail. Jareil is a handsome guy. He’s tall with flawless deep-brown skin and dark hair and brows that seem to pop against his complexion. His hair has always been thick, curly, and silky looking.

Any woman’s dream. It looks great when he cuts it low in waves and it’s gorgeous when he grows it out like now. The lush curls fall around his face, framing his handsome features.

I remember all the girls in school used to crush on him. I had already been with Cam by the time we got to high school, so I never told anyone how attractive I thought Jareil was.

“I haven’t been up to much. Trying to figure out what to do now after senior year,” I say and smile.

“Cool, so you and Cam still a thing? You two were joined at the hip back in the day. I haven’t seen you with him all night.”

I give a nervous laugh. I think Cam and I are still a thing. He’s mad at me, but we haven’t broken up.

“We’re still together. Things are just … complicated. He’s going off to college with Caleb and I’m … here. It feels weird, like I’m being left behind, you know?”

“I guess I get it. I missed all of you guys when I left for school. I can’t say I’m not grateful for the opportunity, but being homesick was a real thing.”

“I’m sure you made a ton of friends superfast. You were always one of the cool guys. Always a girl on your arm,” I say.

He shrugs. “I made friends. It was all right, but while I was here, the girl I was interested in was always taken. So I never had the right girl on my arm.”

I clear my throat and look around for Cam. There is no way Jareil is talking about me. I’ve never even thought of dating anyone other than Cam.

“That’s a really nice dress you have on. If you were mine, nothing would be complicated about us at all. I’d be right by your side.”

This time, I feel the blush creep all the way up from my neck to my face. I bite my lip and look him in the eyes. His eyes are so kind and pretty.

A light brown, almost like honey, but not quite that light. They are more of a red honey brown. His lashes are extra thick and long as well.

“Um … I … uh … When did you get back home? Where are you planning to go to college?”

Jareil chuckles. “I’ve been home since yesterday. I had to come check in with Mama and Daddy. I head back to school in a few days. I’m in Louisiana. It seemed like the right thing to do. You know, remain as close to home as I could while still getting into a good program for basketball and football.”

“You’re still playing both?”

“Yup. Louisiana is one of the schools that offered me both. It was a no-brainer. Close to home and I could play two sports I love.”

“That’s great for you.”

“Yeah, it’s cool.”

“You’ve always been so nonchalant about everything. Too cool for anything to matter,” I say.

“Nah, there are things that matter and get a response from me. They just have to be important, you know?”

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