Page 105 of Brutal Little Secrets

He holds his hands up with a small smile. “Got it. Mia?”

“Sure.” She leans back on the loveseat. “Bring me something pink.”

“Pink.” He shakes his head as he walks away.

“Do you think he’s pissed off?” I ask.

“I hope so. He’s such a fuckboy.” Mia shakes her head. “Don’t get me wrong, fuckboys are usually good lays, but they aren’t loyal for shit.”

“Have you ever had a boyfriend?”

Mia glances at me. “When I was fifteen, a senior noticed me, and I thought I was the hottest shit ever. I’d done a little before then, but I hadn’t had sex yet. He coaxed me into it.

“He was kinky.” She gets this unfocused look. “He liked watching his friends take turns with me. The whole seniorfootball team fucked me that year. I loved every minute of it. Even let him fuck my ass, so I could take more guys at a time. He enjoyed watching.” She refocuses and looks over at Chase at the bar. “I was really popular with the guys because they could fuck me however they wanted.” She shrugs. “I like sex. A lot.”

I slide my hand in hers and thread our fingers together, leaning my head against hers. “You’re worth more than just your body, Mia.”

She laughs a little bitterly. “Yeah, I’m an actor. My body will always be an issue. My casualness with sex will only help me in my career. I won’t get hung up on guys who just want to use me.”

“Mia.” I feel it like an ache in my soul. I can picture her as a girl who craved new things and sex and how that guy exploited that fact. And taught her guys only wanted her for one thing. Of course, she’s gorgeous so she could have heard that her whole life.

She turns her face toward me and smiles a little too brightly. “I use guys and they use me. Fuck guys, Evan. They aren’t worth my time except to get me off.”

“You’re the only one I know who can list the stats of any player in a league.” I straighten and look at her. “And I love how I’m able to really breakdown a character with you when we’re working on the play. You’re more than just your body. You’re smart and you’re nice to me. And I don’t want to have sex with you.”

Mia laughs. “Damn, I thought I’d get to experiment.” Her eyes soften on me. “This is why you’re an amazing friend, Evan. You see this old tart and find a way to make me sound like apple pie.” She squeezes my hand. “Thank you. You’re an amazing director so it’s fun to discuss character with you.”

I return her smile.

Chase walks over and hands Mia a glass. He offers me one. “You sure?”

“I said no.” I arch an eyebrow like he’s being an asshole, because he is.

He settles in the armchair and takes a drink. “I didn’t know if you changed your mind.”

“Why isn’t there music?” Mia asks and takes a large drink from her cup. “Is this a party or what?”

“I have to keep the noise down, but I can turn on the surround sound. It just can’t be loud enough to disturb the neighbors.” He unlocks his phone and sets the cup on the table while he taps something on the screen.

Music comes out of the speakers, and a small cheer comes from the pool.

“I wanted to make you more comfortable here than at those larger parties.” Chase leans in. “I know they aren’t really your scene, and you go to them for me. Besides, we could always chat about Shakespeare since we don’t have to yell over the music.”

I give him a soft smile because that does sound more my speed. Even if I don’t want him and don’t think he’s really after me for the right reasons, I can see how I might have fallen for him if he hadn’t been a huge cheater.

We talk a little about the play. Mostly Chase argues with Mia over whether Desdemona actually slept with Cassio or not. He swears she actually did.

The wave begins slowly. A few girls arrive, and they seem to be with the football players. Chase notices but doesn’t do anything about it, figuring girls aren’t generally a problem.

Suddenly, a tidal wave of students arrive, like they all came together. Chase stands.

“Fuck. Just a minute.” He walks off, and Mia takes my hand.

“Don’t lose me,” Mia says as the backyard fills with students. Liam arrives with Fletcher, and they immediately zero in on Mia.

Liam smirks as they approach us.

“Hey, kitten, mind if we join you?” He sits on the couch with Fletcher. He nods at me. “EvanAnn.”