Page 1 of Cruel Start

CHAPTER ONE

PHOENIX

“Move, Phoenix.” Tracey’s annoying voice interrupted my moment of peace, and clawlike fingers waved in front of my face.

Another group of people poured into the backyard, where brats and burgers still scented the air. The impromptu barbecue had turned into a full-blown party.

“You’re blocking my sun.”

I tensed from the volume of Tracey’s shrill voice as she competed to be heard over the music and laughter. “You sure about that? If I do, you might burst into flames. Not unlike when you step foot in a church,” I snarled but scooted slightly out of her sun’s path, half wishing that she would spontaneously combust.

Her top lip peeled back, showing me her perfectly straight, clenched teeth. “If you weren’t Shane’s brother…”

They were all so whipped. My brother was almost as bad as Cole. All three of them—Cole, Damon, and Shane—had been snared. Not me. I wasn’t about to let some girl sidetrack me—which is exactly what Damon, Cole, and Shane all said before they got whipped. Idiots. My future had too much at stake, and a girl would only complicate things. It wasn’t like I didn’t like Riley, Skylar, and Tracey—well, Tracey not so much—but they changed everything and made me the odd man out.

“Finish the thought, Trace. What would you do?”

“Phoenix!” Shane yelled from across the yard. “We’re getting a game going. Come over here, and stop flirting with my girlfriend.”

I grimaced. I think I just threw up in my mouth at that end-of-day suggestion. Riley snorted, and I winked at her. She got my vibe about Tracey.

“Want to play, Riles? Bet Cole and I could convince the guys to do flag instead of tackle.”

She flicked her long dark-brown hair over her shoulder, placing a hand on her hip. “Thanks, but no. Smith and Jameson are over there, and I don’t trust them to play by the rules.”

“Which ones are they?” I shielded my eyes as I scanned the group of guys near my brother.

“The mammoth tree-sized ones.”

“Ahh, gotcha.” I didn’t know those guys, and if something happened to Riley, I wouldn’t forgive myself. “Come cheer us on.”

She laughed but grabbed Skylar and followed until they found a spot on the grass to watch. Tracey trailed behind them at a leisurely pace, casting longing glances at the group around the firepit roasting marshmallows on skewers. She tossed her oversized bag on the ground before sitting a little ways away from the girls.

The summer was almost halfway over. We’d spent most of our free time hanging out at the cove, surfing, training, and the occasional barbeque.

I felt alive, exhilarated. Preseason football practice at the college would start soon. My brother and I were spending the weekend at our cousin Cole’s house near Thane University—which would soon be our home.

Putting the black-souled demon from my thoughts, I slapped my brother on the back. “We doin’ this?”

We lined up on the freshly mowed grass of Thane University’s football house. The back and side yard were big, relatively flat, and ideal for a pickup game. I lived and breathed football, had for as long as I could remember, and my dream to play in the NFL was almost within reach. It was the perfect “fuck you” to my dad, a mediocre tight end on Chicago’s team who had deserted our mom when she was pregnant with us. I was a better athlete than him. So was Shane. Revenge was almost in our grasp.

It was hot as hell out with the sun directly overhead, but that didn’t stop us. It took minutes to split up into teams and get the game underway. We played with a handful of Cole’s teammates who’d returned early, like he and Riley, who were both sophomores, had. And when they’d invited us for the weekend, my brother and Damon, Cole’s brother, had piled into a car and driven up.

Several girls had joined—Riley, Skylar, and Tracey, Shane’s steady girlfriend—to cheer us on. Riley and Skylar were sitting on the grass and talking while Tracey read a magazine, not bothering to be a part of the group. I blocked out all the distractions—girls—and focused on the game.

Carter snapped the ball to me, setting the play in motion. The offense held back the defensive players that tried to rush me while I surveyed the field to target a receiver. The offense and defensive lines collided. Damon was open. I launched the ball, sidestepping Matt’s late tackle. Damon stretched out a hand, Evan on his heels, and grabbed the ball out of the air, tucking it into his side as he sprinted to our makeshift end zone. Evan tackled him, taking Damon to the ground. When Evan shifted off him, Damon popped back to his feet, dropping the football where he’d landed.

The defensive line was stacked with several huge juniors, and I eyed them warily. The next play went off without a hitch. I threw the ball down the field, and we gained a first down, thanks to Cole’s catch and quick feet.

We lined up. Carter snapped the ball. No one was open. I shifted my weight to the balls of my feet to sprint as the offensive line was overrun. The hit was blinding, and I crashed into the grass. One of the tree trunks, Jameson I think, rolled off me. He gained his feet, offering me a hand. I took it, shaking out the cobwebs. That was a hell of a hit. I rolled my shoulders and got back into position, ready to go again.

The ball was snapped. Our line held, and I found Shane. I threw for a long pass, a brick to his chest that he caught with ease—until Smith, a six-foot-three and two-hundred-seventy-five-pound linebacker, tackled him, and the ball bounced free. The loud pop when they collided echoed ominously through my soul. Then silence fell over the field. It had never sounded so loud, and I knew something terrible had happened.

Smith got up. Shane did not.

Cole and Damon got to him first. I sprinted to where my brother lay on the field, taking assurance that his eyes were open. He was conscious.It can’t be that bad, right?God, I hoped not.

I should have spoken up when the debate for the game had ensued. While my cousins had agreed with Shane and me that it would be fine to play tackle, some of the other guys weren’t too sure. It was before the season.What if someone got hurt?I thought it would be okay.Why did we tempt fate?

---