The Win: Rebels of Ridgecrest High (Book 4)
The Win: Chapter 23

I take a sip of my beer and wave over to Grady. He raises his beer to me, and I smile. It’s good to be back at a party. I feel like it’s been forever since the last one.

“Hey, Mila. You missed me?” Emerson smiles wildly at me.

“Fuck, Em. I missed you.” I jump up and launch myself at him as I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him in for the biggest hug. Since I haven’t been back at school and pretty much become a hermit just staying home or wherever the guys are, I haven’t seen him in so long.

“Don’t hug me too tight, your boyfriend might get jealous and come hurt me.” He teases, then slaps my ass. I chuckle. He’s just looking for trouble now.

“You’re a big tough boy now, Em. You can fight them all off.” He grins and shakes his head at me.

“That was before, now they’re a little bit more protective of you than you realize. And there’s no way I want to get in between you and them.”

I laugh. It’s true, I watch Jace eyeing us off. I wink at him, and he knows I’m up to no good. He doesn’t tell Em off for slapping my ass though. He knows it’s all in good fun.

Emerson drops me to my feet, and I think back to the day then I first came home, when I crashed their party. It feels like forever ago.

“Remember when I came back, and Jace wasn’t happy that I was here at his party.”

Emerson’s smile widens as he nods. Fuck…Emerson’s gonna be breaking hearts when he’s at college. Only one more year to go. I’m going back to school for my senior year. So is Roman. He doesn’t know yet, but Joe is going to get us back in. He told me he can work magic and if he gets us back to Ridgecrest… I will believe him.

“I totally was going to take you back to my room and have my wicked way with you back then.” I tell him. It’s the truth, he’s all grown up, but I had changed my ways. No more meaningless sex. So, it didn’t happen. Was tempted.

Emerson bursts out laughing.

“That’s so funny, I would have let you too. Trust me, growing up I had a little crush on you. But in a scary way. Like you might hurt me… but I’m gonna like it.”

I smack his arm and he point to where I just hit him. “See, exactly my point.”

“That didn’t hurt, you big baby.” I push him and he stumbles back a step. He’s been drinking for a while. He’s huge… there’s no way I could do that normally. He let me.

“You know I’m the better looking one right. You can have your wicked way with me now…you’re not a scary now I’m taller than you.”

I stand back and hold my chin as I pretend to check Emerson out. I feel arms wrap around my waist and hold me back from him, and I laugh.

“Don’t be looking at him.” Jace growls into my ear. I love this side of him. So protective and alpha. And I wake the beast inside… I love to see how far I can push him until I’m on my knees and he’s fucking my mouth, calling me a good girl. I love it. It’s our dynamic.

“But I was thinking four wasn’t enough.” I squeal as Jace lifts me over his shoulder and smacks my ass. I see an upside-down Emerson shaking his head as Jace walks me away from him.

“Don’t be teasing me, Mila. Or I’ll have to punish you.”

“I know the way you like to punish me, Jace. And I’ve been a very bad girl.”

He lets out a groan, knowing that we really shouldn’t be sneaking off right now. This is Grady’s going away party. He’s off to college and I’m so proud of him. He worked really hard and had a lot of shit thrown at him this past year. But he’s found an amazing college that offered him a scholarship. That’s accepting of who he is as a person and he’s not gonna be very far from us. It’s only about an hour’s drive, so I will see him on weekends. And go to his games.

I see Walker has arrived late to the party. Fashionable late as always. He’s going to the same college as Grady. It’s a little different to the college I thought Walker would end up at. Kind of thought he had a Harvard or Yale type of family. But he’s going to go to the small college and play on the football team as their quarterback.

I never really asked him why he picked that college. But I have a feeling it is his mom. Walker might be all talk and full of flirty comebacks. But he has a heart of gold when it comes to his mom. Anybody who really knows him can see that. And it makes me love him as a friend that little bit more.

“Hey sweet cheeks,” Walker says to my ass.

“Shut up.” Jace growls, but he doesn’t really mean it. He’s come to like Walker, he gets riled up from the things Walker says, to the point I think they will hit each other but then the next thing they’re playing the Xbox and best friends. It’s the most strangest friendship but hey, it works.

Jace drops me to my feet and points his finger at me and I can see the gleam in his eye.

“Don’t check him out either. Four is more than enough and we will soon show you that.” I wink up at him.

“Is that a promise? all of you tonight?”

Jace lets out an exhausted breath and shakes his head. He looks over at Walker, who grins at me.

“You two have fun, but not too much fun. I’m getting a drink” I giggle as Jace kisses my head and leaves me with Walker.

“What’s that about?” Walker asks with his brows raised.

“He doesn’t wanna join in any fun and games. I think he has performance anxiety in front of the guys.” I know it’s not true but more that he has sharing issues. I know we have talked about it.

Walker chokes on his beer and I burst out laughing.

“Mila, you dirty minx. Well, if he’s not willing to take part, I know somebody who will be.” He wiggles his brows at me. I love he doesn’t give up now that I’m with them all. That he still teases me like the first day we met. I love this about Walker. He is who he is…and he’s unapologetic.

I tap my beer to his, and his beer slushes over onto our feet, and I giggle again.

“Is someone a little drunk?” I nod. Now that everything bad is behind us, and we can look forward to our future. I let my hair down and get drunk tonight. It’s not like I’m at a party alone, I have my four guys here to take care of me. I love the fact that they don’t smother me. They let me walk around and talk to all my friends.

I looked at Britney, who came with one of the other seniors. And she hasn’t left his side since. I can see he’s getting annoyed that she’s just always there. That would drive me nuts if the guys were like that.

“I promise not to take advantage of you, sweet cheeks. if you promise not to punch me. My mother would be all too happy to replace out this whole time you were secretly in love with me.”

I burst out laughing, “that is never gonna happen. But I would love to come and watch movies with your mum. Is that alright with you?” I had been meaning to ask him when he got accepted. I knew he wouldn’t be around as much, and I wanted to help him out. Even if it was just checking in on his mom so he didn’t have to worry about him.

Walker wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me in for a side hug.

“That’s more than alright with me, and if you are driving past my house during the week while I’m away, I’m sure she would love the company.”

“I will. You mom is cool and has a great taste in movies” And he gives me a squeeze. He won’t say it, I know when things get deep, he will shut down. He’s similar to Hunter like that.

The music grows louder. I turn to see Hunter turning it up. His shirt is off, and all his delicious abs are on display. He dances and that’s my cue to go rub against my boyfriend’s chest and claim him in front of all these girls ogling him.

I haven’t felt this hungover in so long. My mouth is dry, and I groan, rolling away from a furnace. I have no idea who’s sleeping beside me, but they are hot as hell. What time we even came home last night. Let me put my feet out the sheets. I need to cool down before I move. I think I wanna throw up.

I look over and see its Hunter who is my personal heater. His face is so relaxed, and he looks so cute. I can’t wait to tell him about the house when he wakes up. He’s gonna be so happy that he gets to stay here. Angela too. It’s her house as well. I love her. She’s changed so much, and Hunter has been happier since she’s been back home.

I roll further in the bed to move away from all the hot. Asher’s sprawled out at my feet and Jace is beside me, he groans but doesn’t wake up. The hell? Why are they all in Hunter’s bed? I see Roman sleeping on the chair in the room’s corner and my heart breaks. He’s so much better at touching, but he can’t do it with everyone together. One day he will. He’s already doing so much more than I had ever hoped for him.

I look over at him, his hair is so long now, I need to braid it again. But I sigh. He’s a vison. He takes care of us when we all let loose. He’s kinda the father figure of the group. He doesn’t drink, he drove us home last night. My head throbs and I groan.

Roman opens his eye and looks over at me. I smile, of course me making a sound wakes him. He shifts forward on the chair, and I want to go to him. I move around Asher. He’s literally sleeping with his head hanging off the bed. I purse my lips to not laugh, because it looks so funny. I swing my leg out of the sheet and over the side of the bed and as I try to stand on my tippy toes, my other leg gets caught in the sheet. I hop trying to steady myself, but I’m not coordinated enough for that.

My knee gives out and I tumble, my shoulder hits the floor, and I’m caught up with one foot in the sheets. Roman’s at me in an instant. He picks me up and looks down to where I’m tangled. He gets me free; the guys don’t wake. There’s a snore from Asher and then someone farts.

I snort and hold my hand over my mouth to stop myself from laughing out loud. Roman whispers into my ear.

“Its gotta be Jace. He had all those tacos last night.” I and look over at Jace. His face isn’t as relaxed as the others and then he shifts and farts. I press my face to Roman’s chest and giggle.

“Let go have a shower.” I nod and let him carry me. Hot water will make me feel better.

“What do you mean it’s been sold. With everything he can’t do that. He can’t sell my bed that’s my fucking bed.” Hunter yells and I can hear him from the living room where I have been playing Mario cart with Roman most the morning.

I drop my controller and stand up. Where is Hunter?

“Hunter?” I call out and he comes storming into the room. I know he’s not mad at me but he’s fuming. Asher and Jace come down the stairs. Wearing the same clothes as last night. Asher’s rubbing his neck and I feel bad I didn’t reposition him when I got up.

“My dad sold the house last night while we were out. With everything in it. All my shit has been sold to some asshole. I need a lawyer. He can’t do that.”

Hunter’s so angry and I wanted to tell them while they were all together. I wanted to tell him before this conversation. Shit.

“I’ll fucking kill them.” Roman’s mad now. Oh fuck.

I put my hand up. But the four of them all start plotting the new owners demise. Those new owners who just happen to be us.

“Hunter,” I scream, and they all turn to me. Angela’s in the room now too and she freezes. “I didn’t want you to replace out this way. But… we’re the assholes.” Hunter cocks his head and gives me a puzzled expression and Roman shakes his head.

“You spoke to my father too?” What?

“Hell no, your fathers dead to me. No, I wanted to tell you all that the asshole is me… Us. Yesterday I called Joe and asked him to put an offer on the house. He did. The house is all of ours. We own it and everything in it. Sorry, I just didn’t want your dad taking anything. I love it the way it is.”

“Mila,” Angela’s hand is at her throat, and I go to her. Wrapping my arms around her.

“It’s your house too, you will get half of what it was purchased for and that’s yours to keep. But I don’t want you to move out. I want you to stay. This is all our house and its fully paid for. We don’t have to worry about a thing.”

She cries… I cry. Hell, we all cry.

“But where did you get the money from?” I point up and smile.

“Malcolm. I inherited all his money. But I gave it all up for Lillian.”

Everyone just stands there stock still. Asher’s mouth moves like he wants to speak but doesn’t know what to say. I laugh.

“You mean this whole time; our girlfriend is a millionaire?” Hunter asks and I grin.

“Well… I was technically a billionaire but only for a day.”

“Did you… wait up. Billionaire. Your saying Malcolm was a fucking billionaire, and you got all his money and gave it to your baby sister?” Jace asks and I nod.

Roman grips his hair and I wish I braided it now. I don’t want him to pull it out. I love his hair. I grab his arm and pull it down and give him my silent “stop” look.

“Gail and Joe put a little bit aside for college and a first house.” I put my hands out and twirl. “First house. Done.”

“But college?” Hunter asks and I nod.

“Well, if all goes to plan… Roman and I will be back at Ridgecrest for our senior year. If Joe is really a magician.” Roman’s eyes widen. And I hug him.

“I know you’re not big on the schoolwork, but we will all help you. I just want you to be on the team one last year. With the guys and go out with a win.”

“Me too.” Asher puts his hand up. “I told my mom I want to transfer over. I was gonna surprise you on Monday morning when you saw me in red. But… surprise.”

Hunter points at him then they are chest to chest and Asher grabs Hunter’s throat. What the hell is going on.

“Fuck you, Asher.” Hunter practically spits. “You’re not taking my position on the team.” My eyes widen.

“Really Hunter?” I cross my arms over my chest. “that’s the first thing you thought when Asher just told you he transferred to the same school as us so we can all go together and your worried he’s gonna take your position on the team?”

Honestly… from where I’m standing it doesn’t look like that’s the problem. I think Hunter wants to kiss him, not hit him. And Asher looks like he wants Hunter to do just that.

“Hunter, apologize right now to Asher. That was extremely rude of you.” Angela says and it’s her angry voice.

Hunter turns to Asher and mumbles an apology. I know I need to get these two alone and naked and work this out.

Sooner rather than later.