Page 5 of Game Changer
My heart falters at the sight, and my chest swells with happiness for two people who almost didn’t take a chance on each other because of Ethan. Cameron is Ethan’s best friend, and with Maddie being Ethan’s little sister, Cameron didn’t want to risk losing him. I’m glad they finally said fuck it and started dating anyway, because now they’re happier than ever, and so in love it’s almost sickening.
“Hope you know I wasn’t all talk in my texts.” His voice drops lower. Huskier. “And now that I’m here . . .”
“Should I go?” I ask, applying a last bit of blush.
Cameron’s head snaps up. He clearly hadn’t realized his girlfriend was on a FaceTime call, but with Cameron being Cameron, he doesn’t let it faze him. “Sorry not sorry, Maya. I fully respect your girl time, but I’ve only got your best friend for the next forty-eight hours, and I don’t plan on wasting another second.”
I roll my eyes. “I get it. We were just wrapping up anyway. Just likeyou’reabout to do in the next few minutes. At least, I hope so. Better safe than sorry.”
He rolls his eyes, accustomed to my teasing by now. “Oh, before I forget.” He grabs the phone to bring it closer to his face, wearing an arrogant smile. “I don’t know what the hell is going on between you and Ethan but fix it. He’s fucking depressed.”
“What makes you think he’s depressed?” I try to hide my concern but fail epically. It’s evident in the way my voice goes high pitched. “And what makes you think his mood has something to do withme?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I guess his other ex moved next door to him for the school year.”
“I’mnothis ex.”
Cameron’s eyebrows lift, and he’s still wearing that fucking smirk. “My mistake. Fuck buddy, then?” He laughs when my eyes narrow into slits. “Is that too meaningless? Should I go back toex?”
“Hey, Maddie, have I ever mentioned that your boyfriend is annoying?” My voice is playful. They know I don’t mean it, which is why the lovebirds laugh in response. “Anyway, I’ll let you guys go. Burn some calories for me.”
“Have fun at the party!” she shouts in response. Cameron hangs up her phone, leaving me alone in an empty dorm room, and the silence eats at me. I meant it when I said this is the first time I’ve been on my own without my parents overseeing my every move, but it’s so much freedom that I almost don’t know what to do with myself.
Temptation. Drugs. Alcohol. These things surrounded me before when I snuck out to parties as a teenager, but now? I don’t have to worry about my parents finding out. I’m free to choose whatever path I want.
But the biggest temptation of all?
Knowing Ethan Davis is on the other side of this wall.
Three
Ethan
Five years earlier
Preseason training is the worst. Coach had us do suicides for the last fifteen minutes of practice, and every muscle is aching when I get home. After working out in ninety-degree weather the only thing I want is an ice-cold bottle of water, and possibly an ice bath.
Summer in Arizona is hotter than hell, but thankfully September is right around the corner, and the cooler months won’t suck as much when Coach punishes us for not hitting the weight room like we were supposed to.
But it’s my senior year, and even though there’s talk of me getting a scholarship to play at State, I’m not set on it. Football is my passion, but having all the focus on me at every game is getting to be too much pressure. Granted, the focus is mainly on Cameron, who’s gearing up to take us to the championship this year, but I still feel it as a linebacker. Because whereas Cameron controls offense, I’m the center of attention when it comes to defense, and I feel the expectation to be the greatest every single day.
“Oh. Hey, Ethan. Long time no see.”
I drag my eyes from my phone, and my mouth drops open. Maya Garcia is standing in my kitchen, seemingly taking up every bit of space in the room without trying. I haven’t seen her since before the summer started. My parents sent me to a football training camp with Cameron, and I just got back four days ago, before preseason begins.
How is it possible for a person to change so much in the span of twelve weeks?
It’s all I can think about as I try to take in the new version of Maya, my sister’s best friend. Mylittlesister’s best friend. I’ve always thought Maya was cool to be around, but I’ve never . . . well, I’ve never had my dick react to her like this, and it shouldn’t. She’s two years younger than me. She’s about to be a fuckingsophomore,for crying out loud.
But she’s wearing a pair of tight yoga pants and a crop top that does little to cover up her body. When did she get so curvy? When did her hips start to look like they were made for my hands to grab onto?
“Um . . .” I’m staring at her like an idiot, and Maya’s glossy lips tilt into the cutest smile I’ve ever seen.
“How was camp?” she asks. The microwave is humming in the background, the steady sound of popcorn popping. She and Maddie frequently have movie nights, so I’m assuming they’re preparing for one.
Where is my sister, and why am I begging for her to come downstairs? It’s almost like I need a shield to protect me from Maya, and nothing will douse my raging hormones better than having my little sister join us.
“It was good,” I reply. “What did you do all summer?” Because she had to have donesomethingto go from girl next door to a curvy fucking bombshell. My eyes can’t leave her full, pink lips, and I fight with every ounce of my being not to imagine those lips wrapped around my—
