Page 1 of Bleeding Hearts (Pine Valley College #3)

I know who is calling before I even pick up the phone. I can feel Bones’s gaze on me, but I keep my eyes on the table as I answer. We meet every Sunday to catch up and spend time together, but even with the sun shining, today seems darker, or maybe that’s just me.

“Tonight. Don’t tell them I let you know. The abandoned beach on the south side at nine.”

“Tonight?” I meet Bones’s confused gaze once more. My brother and our friends next to us are oblivious. “I’ll be there.”

The line goes dead, and Bones reads my expression with a wary look of his own.

“It’s starting?” he asks quietly, sparing the others a look. I know why—it’s Silent Rose business. Evan knows some of it, but not all, since he’s busy with work. Besides, I volunteered for this. I can do this, and Bones’s trust in me makes me feel stronger than ever.

“Yes, tonight. Don’t worry, I’ve got this, Bones,” I promise.

It’s not just for Silent Rose, but for Lally too.

She is in too deep. She’s been pulling away ever since .

. . well, that night, but recently, it’s like she’s gone off the deep end, and I’m worried she’s going to end up dead, just like Tommy, especially after we learned what she signed up for.

“Be safe, okay? I know we asked you as a part of Silent Rose, but don’t put yourself in danger,” he begs. Bones used to terrify me, but he’s such a kind person, always caring for others. Skylar did that to him, showing him it’s okay to feel and love.

“What are you talking about?” Evan asks curiously, and I almost jump out of my seat. I’m not good at lying, but this is something I need to do alone. I know they’d help if I asked, but they have already done so much. Their lives are just getting back to normal.

“Oh, nothing,” I blurt, and then I grab the phone and ask Evan about his internship to distract him. I feel Alek watching me, but I avoid his gaze, knowing he will see right through me. It’s one of the reasons I haven’t been home much recently.

“How’s Lally?” Alek asks.

I freeze, glancing at him then Evan. “Um, she’s okay,” I murmur. I can’t tell them. I know they are concerned, and Lally and Evan are best friends, but he doesn’t seem to notice she’s struggling.

Nobody does but me.

I won’t lose her. I refuse.

She has tried to push me away and make me hate her, but it won’t work. I’m not the same little girl I was when we met, and I know what I want—her—which means I have to lie to everyone else.

I have to enter the games.

I have to become a competitor in Risk.