Page 110 of Brutal Little Secrets

She looks down her nose at me and crosses her arms over her chest. “You’re just something he wants to play with right this minute. I’m fucking endgame.”

“You don’t know the first thing about him.” I narrow my eyes. Why does she want him so much?

“He’s popular, plays hockey, and fucks you like you mean nothing to him. What more do I need to know?” Olivia arches an eyebrow, but she doesn’t get it.

He’s a fucking trophy to her. She’s never looked into his eyes when he’s buried deep inside her and felt that raw connection. She’s never felt him curl around her in his sleep, holding her tight so neither of them have nightmares. He’s never brought her a plate of food because he’s worried she hasn’t eaten enough.

And she never will know that side of him, because it’s mine.

“When I say he’s mine, I mean he’s mine and I’m his. We care for each other. We aren’t just fucking around to get off.” I turn to look at him. Damon sits on the edge of the bed and watches me.My heart beats a little harder. “You’re right. He is those things, but he’s also so much more. I’d get it if you wanted more than sex from him, but that’s not why you keep coming after him. Is it?”

She presses her lips together and glares at me.

“He’s your fucking prize in the box of cereal. The participation award you deserve for going to this high school. You don’t give a shit about Damon.”

I can’t keep doing this. She needs to stop, and Damon isn’t going to be able to do it. It’s up to me.

“You want something you can use against me?” Laughing bitterly, I look around at the guys before glaring back into her eyes. “I love him. I love Damon and Hawk and Cam and whatever the fuck we’re doing. It’s not typical. It’s not all sexy times and getting off. It’s real and emotional and everything I’ve ever needed. We take care of each other. And that means finally dealing with you.”

“Watch how you speak to me. You can’t get any lower, ant.”

“Watch how you speak to her,” Damon steps up behind me. His warmth is a wall surrounding me, but not touching, just supporting. “I’ve told you who she is to me and still you persist. I love Evan. I’m not giving her up. Not for you or any of your machinations.”

“You can’t be serious.” Olivia stomps her foot.

“Why do you want him?” I lean back against him, giving into the need. “What’s the fucking point? He doesn’t want you.”

“But he should. He should want me more than any other girl in this school. I’m everything. Beautiful, rich, popular. He belongs to me.” She eyes me up and down with disdain. “Not you. You mean nothing to anyone at this fucking school. Yes, they love trotting out the poor, little, talented kids, but you won’t make it in the real world. Do you know how much Chase and I laughed at the fact you honestly thought he really wanted you?”

Her laugh is bitter. It stops abruptly as I smack her across her face.

Chapter 33

Hawk

Olivia straightens like she’s going to say something else to Annie, but Annie hits her again. Annie’s face is twisted with hate. Fuck, this was worth it. Watching Annie claim us is fucking perfection. Olivia snarls as she straightens.

Before Olivia can gain her bearings, Damon steps between the two of them, facing Annie, and backs her up a few steps. He tips her flushed face up.

“That’s enough, little devil. Go with Cam and take care of your friend.” Damon glances over his shoulder at Olivia. “I’ll make sure this goes away. For good.”

Annie looks like she wants to protest, like maybe she just wants to fight Olivia and be done with it. But we wouldn’t let Olivia touch Annie.

“It’s okay. Let me do this for you.” Damon lowers his forehead to Annie’s and closes his eyes. She releases her breath and closes her eyes, resting her hands on his waist. They stay like that for several heartbeats until she draws in a breath.

When he opens his eyes, she whispers, “I love you.”

His smile is softer than I’ve ever seen it. “I love you.”

Annie steps back, and as tempted as I am to go with her and Cam, I’m needed here. No one trusts Olivia, and I’m not sure shewon’t provoke Damon. As much as I hate her, Olivia can’t have a way to bring Damon down.

“I’ll stay here with Damon.” I take Annie’s hand and want to say so much, but my throat closes up. She said she loves me, but now isn’t the time for me to figure out how she makes me feel. I clear the lump from my throat and say, “Keep me posted, Annie.”

She nods and turns with those worried eyes to Cam. He jerks his head, and she follows him without a glance back. Tears are drying on Olivia’s face as Damon turns to her. Her face is red on the cheek Annie struck.

He nods at me. I close the door so there won’t be any more interruptions.

What Olivia has said so far might not be enough for the police to get her on drugging a minor, but we’re close. Olivia’s parents will pay off Keira, and Olivia will likely get a slap on her wrist. Maybe even do a stint at a rehab center. Rich kids rarely go to jail, and Olivia’s father is a well-connected, powerful lawyer.