10. Jacob

Chapter 10

Jacob

I got a freaking scholarship.

Dylan places another kiss on my lips before sitting down on the couch. She squeezes herself between Ford and myself, gripping each of our hands tightly as we look back at Matthew. I know there has to be more, especially with the way he's shifting back and forth on his feet.

"He hasn't given me the exact amount that you'll be awarded, but it will be significant, though not a full ride," he adds once we've calmed down.

"That's okay, something is great. It'll help my family out a lot, and I've already been awarded some academic scholarships in addition to the college fund I have. Is that it? Just me?" I ask, excited to tell my parents.

"So, we're also offering Ford a spot on the team, but I don't know if it comes with any type of scholarship."

My eyes immediately dart to Ford at those words. I thought for sure he'd be offered a scholarship.

"That's okay. All I want is a spot on the team and for Dylan and Jacob to be playing by my side."

My heart sinks. Dylan. He hasn't said anything about her. Did our stunt cost her a spot? He did say when he initially scouted us that he didn't think she was… well her. I hope that being female doesn't affect her spot. It shouldn't. Just thinking about it has my emotions all over the place. "What about Dylan?" I finally ask, taking a deep breath, preparing myself for the bombshell about to hit us.

"The coach wasn't happy at first with the deception of the player we were scouting being a girl, but he doesn't hate it either. He actually can't wait to rub it in a few other schools' faces—"

"Matthew, for the love of God, just fucking tell us if Dylan is in or not," I bark at him.

"It doesn't matter. Mom won't pay for me to go, and there's no way I can afford it." Her voice is small and I can hear the hitch in her breath as she fights back tears.

"If anyone would ever just let me finish then you'd know that you're being offered a full ride since you're majoring in sports medicine. Your only conditions are your GPA has to stay above 3.0 and you gotta go to all the fancy events the school and team host."

My heart swells with pride. Our girl did it!

We all got picked. We'll be together, playing the sport we love.

"I'm getting a full ride?" Dylan asks, as the tears break free and slide down her cheeks.

I let go of her hand and slip my arm around her waist, pulling her closer. Her head rests on my shoulder as everything sinks in. She finally has a way to escape her mother and we all get to stay together.

But there's still one thing looming over us.

Matthew.

What's going to happen with him and Dylan and how does it affect what we already have?

"There's something else."

My gaze shifts to him. What the fuck else can there be? Before I can ask, Dylan beats me to it.

"What else? Does he know the three of us are in a relationship? Is us not dating a condition to being recruited to the team and our scholarships?"

Fuck! Hell no. Screw the scholarship, if it is. We can find somewhere else that will take all three of us.

"No. He doesn't care as long as it doesn't affect how you play. I told him about us, Dylan. Well, that you're my soon-to-be stepsister, and that we kissed. I know it's presumptuous on my part, but I also told him how I feel about you and that I'm hoping for something more between us."

She quirks her eyebrow. "Why would it matter? I'm still processing your confession and need to talk to Jacob and Ford about it, but does he think you're biased?"

Matthew rubs the stubble on his chin before sitting in the chair behind him.

"Recruiting the three of you was my last official job as a recruiter for the school." His gaze falls to his clasped hands.

"What the fuck? That's bullshit!" Ford growls.

Matthew holds up his hand, halting Ford from proceeding in his tirade. "It's okay. I've been offered a position as assistant coach, and I accepted it."

My eyes shoot to Dylan, who's sitting up rigidly. Her face tilts in my direction and I see her eyes widen. Not that I want the asshole with my girl, but leading her on with his feelings and then taking a position that would nullify any chance of them moving forward is a pussy ass move.

"Matthew," slips softly from her lips.

"I accepted, but only on the condition that if something continues between us, it won't affect your position on the team. There's no stipulation that we can't date." Matthew stands slowly, rubbing the palms of his hands on his pants.

"I'll go so the three of you can talk and celebrate. I'm going to be heading to the college early, but I would like to have a chance to talk to you again before I leave, Dylan." She nods and he slowly exits the room, leaving us all alone.

"Can you believe it? We fucking did it. Scholarships! The both of you!" Ford exclaims excitedly.

"But you didn't get one." Dylan can't even be excited for herself because she's worried about him.

"I didn't need one, babe. My grandfather made sure that my college tuition was taken care of before he passed. He started a college fund for me. I'm golden. The only thing I wanted was the three of us together."