Page 125 of Brutal Little Secrets

He’s in the back making his way toward me. Jason tries to stop him, but Chase pushes through. His eyes are ablaze as he focuses on me.

“Whore!” he shouts, and some of the girls twitter with nervous laughter.

I straighten. “You’re late for rehearsal.”

His smile is nasty. “You played the little virgin for me, but you fucked your stepbrother and his friends.”

The blood drains out of my face.

“What the fuck are you doing, Chase?” Hawk steps in front of him before he can close in on me.

Chase shoves him with both hands, making Hawk stagger. “You ruined her. She was mine.”

My heart is in my throat, and I can’t move. Frozen with fear. My heart beats loud in my ears, but I can’t move.

Hawk rights himself and goes after Chase. Chase swings, but Hawk ducks under it.

“Whoa,” Mark steps in. “Seriously, what the fuck!”

Mia moves to stand next to me and puts her hand on my arm.

Chase laughs. “She has everyone fooled, but she’s a whore!”

He yells the word, shouting down the rafters. My knees go weak.

“You need to calm down,” Mark says.

“Calm down! My whore of a girlfriend is fucking him and his friends.” He gestures at Hawk, who glares at him. Hawk is keeping himself between me and Chase.

“I’m not your girlfriend,” I say it calmly, but my insides are on fire.

This is my stage. My practice. I’m in charge, and something rushes through me, unlocking me.

“Leave.” I straighten to my full height and meet Chase’s angry eyes. “You need to leave this rehearsal right now.”

He narrows his eyes and glares. Hatred. A chill rolls through me, but Mark and Jason escort Chase out of the room.

“Are you okay?” Mia asks softly.

“Take ten. That’s enough drama for the day.” I want to crumble into myself, but I can’t.

Everyone moves to go to the bathrooms or just exit the room so they can talk about me and Chase and the Devil’s trio. By the time they get back they’ll have texted everyone. Oh god.

I sink into my chair, and Hawk is there.

“I’ve got you.” His green eyes flash with anger.

“How did this get out?” I say it more to myself than anyone in particular. But I threw it in Olivia’s face and then smacked her. Twice. Unless. My gaze lifts to Mia.

She recognizes what I’m thinking, and her face goes blank. “If I did it, I wouldn’t pretend to still be your friend. I would have brought popcorn to watch you burn. But I didn’t and I wouldn’t. You trusted me with that, and I’m not about to blow up the only friendship I have at this school.”

I didn’t want it to be Mia, but I don’t know her well enough to trust her. I rub my temple.

“It was probably Olivia,” I say. “I did smack her.”

Mia grins. “No shit? Fuck, how did that feel? Oof, smacking her must have felt so fucking good.”

A ghost of a smile haunts my lips. It really did. “Yeah.”