Page 103 of Brutal Little Secrets

“There’s got to be more to you than your classes, Annie.” Hawk pauses while the server puts our meals in front of us. “What kind of movies do you like?”

“Oh,” I pause with a bite of turmeric rice on my fork. I set it down. “I love all kinds of movies. My dad had this long list of movies he wanted me to see. I used to watch them with him.”

I haven’t thought about that list in a while. I couldn’t make myself look at the incomplete list after he passed. All the things we didn’t get to, because we ran out of time. And then everything seemed to move so fast.

“What kind of movies?” Cam asks.

“Movies from the 80s and 90s mostly, but some classics as well. He wanted to encourage my acting, since I was beingtypecast as the serious kid even at ten. He was determined for me to watch them all.” I straighten and meet Damon’s eyes. “Most of the time he’d fall asleep during them, but I still stayed and watched the whole thing. He’d wake up at the end, and we’d talk about them for a little while before he got tired again.”

My heart still aches when I talk about him. Damon doesn’t look away, and I know he understands. That he sat beside his mother’s bedside the same way I sat beside my dad’s. How would our lives be different if they hadn’t died? Would he have ever looked at me twice? Would I have ever dated Chase? I shake it off. What ifs don’t matter now.

“We didn’t get to his favorite genre though.” I smile, remembering the list and the section labeled for when I’m older. “Mostly horror movies or movies that weren’t appropriate for a ten-year-old.”

There’s a box that list was in. I saw it when I was in my closet with Mia. It was obviously memorabilia, so whoever unpacked my room didn’t unpack that. Pictures of my family when it was whole. A necklace Dad gave me when I was little with a broken chain. Cards he gave me, birthday and encouragement. Letters from when I was at camp.

I rub at the ache growing in my chest. It’s been so long since I let myself think about him. I was too busy taking care of myself and Mom.

“We could watch them.” Cam leans forward. “I mean, I like movies and I’m always on board for horror or R-rated movies.”

My mouth opens and closes. Ready to tell them no, that’s not necessary.

Hawk and Damon nod, and warmth bursts in my chest.

“I’d like that.” Even my cheeks are warm. I can’t believe I’m blushing at this.

“I don’t like to know about a movie before I watch it.” Hawk draws my attention. “Trailers too often spoil shit or make the movie seem like it’s something it’s not.”

“I’ve done that. Though there were a few movies I wished I’d watched the trailer for first.” I smile and eat as we discuss movies and TV shows. And for a moment, I forget we’re in public and really shouldn’t be. That tonight we’re going to take down the queen bee or at least put her in her place. And gather more evidence on my ex.

After Damon pays for our dinner, he takes my hand to lead me outside to his bike. It hits me that there’s a lot that can go wrong tonight. But dinner was perfect, and this was the best date I’ve ever been on.

Chapter 31

EvanAnn

Mia and I pull up to the party. Cam told everyone to show up after ten, but Chase’s party starts at eight. Cam said people would start showing up around nine because they were bored.

We’re getting there a little late. Eight-thirty. I don’t want to be without the guys for too long. I’d prefer to walk in as the party really gets started, but it will be nice to see Chase’s panic too. Yes, the drama major wants drama.

Jackson hasn’t reached out to Mia, so we don’t think he’s going to show. Thank god for that.

If I were directing this, it would be an elaborate trap. I would have Mia be a double agent and working with Chase to steal me away and make me his Stepford wife before the guys arrive. But that’s not real life. I don’t trust Chase. I kind of trust Mia. But the guys will get here soon. And in the meantime, I can protect myself.

I get out of the car in a skirt a little longer than the one Damon had me wear last weekend. My top shows my midriff and is tight around my breasts. Damon fucked me in the shower and sucked on my shoulder until it almost hurt, marking me as his.

My shoulder twinges as I walk up the drive with Mia. A smile plays on my lips because I’m theirs, and they want more.

When she takes my hand, I glance over at Mia with surprise.

“I’ve got you.” Her blue eyes seem sincere. “You need out of this one, let me know and we’re gone. Promise.”

I smile. Fuck, I want to trust her to be a good friend the way I wanted Chase to be a loyal boyfriend. Maybe I’m just delusional.

I trust the Devil’s trio now. But there was that moment when Damon brought me to the hamburger place where I thought that might have been his grand plan. Humiliate me in front of everyone.

Ruin the good girl.

I didn’t know about their original plan. My heart pounds when I consider those words. That was their plan, but the hamburger place was obviously too soon.