Page 147 of Brutal Little Secrets

I set the timer and we walk away. All five of us toward the truck. He doesn’t move, but we hear him sucking in gulps of air. Good.

We get to the truck and I set the timer on the hood. We wait ten minutes to make sure he doesn’t try to come out. Cam pulls a hunting knife out and jams it into the sidewall of the back tire.

“Insurance.” He pulls it out and the tire releases its air.

We walk to our bikes and Liam’s car. I pull off my mask.

“Thanks for your help.” I grab Liam’s forearm, and he grabs mine.

“Anytime.” Liam knocks Fletcher in the arm. “We’ve got a girl to see.”

They head out. We wait a few more minutes, watching the camera I have set up on him. There’s one on the truck too. It’s more than he gave Evan. It’s more than he deserves.

The alarm goes off. Chase looks around him before getting to his feet. An owl screeches in the night, and Chase takes off running toward the sound of the timer. He falls but he scrambles to his feet and races to his truck.

He jerks his keys out and snatches his phone before getting in. When he tries to pull out, he realizes his tire is flat.

We take off. He’s got his phone and his truck. That’s more than Evan had when he left her.

Chapter 45

EvanAnn

Chase shows up on Friday wearing a knee brace in an obvious foul mood. He doesn’t even look at me during class. The guys were in a great mood when they came home to me last night. They weren’t quick and took me through so many layers of pleasure, but we were still asleep at a decent enough hour.

The day goes smoothly and without rehearsal after school, we plan to go to dinner and a movie as soon as they finish their practice. I’ve had enough of football games.

When we’re at dinner, Mia texts me that Chase is stuck on the sidelines due to his injury.

“Chase is out of football this week. Something about his knee.” I look up from my phone in time to see Damon smile. It’s a curious smile, because it’s smug like he caused this.

Cam coughs and takes a drink of his soda.

“You want to see the newConjuringmovie?” Hawk looks at me like he wants to get into a heavy discussion about the horror genre.

I don’t know what they’re keeping from me, but I let Hawk lead me into a discussion about modern horror and films because I don’t want to spoil our date night.

It’s been an awesome week, but there’s this countdown happening in my mind. We haven’t really talked about the future. Cam, Hawk, Damon, and I. We’re living in the present, but our present has a deadline. The end of school means the end of us unless we make plans. Plans that will change our futures if we want to stay together.

And while we have time, admission deadlines are fast approaching.

Adam and Mom still don’t know about us. Or that I’ve officially broken up with Chase. I don’t know why I’m hesitant to tell them about Chase. It’s not like Mom cares who I date. She would understand if we broke up.

I could always claim Hawk as my boyfriend. It feels wrong to not acknowledge the other guys in my life. To pretend I’m not in love with Cam and Damon. It might make my mom more comfortable leaving things the way they are.

So I don’t say anything to her about it. Eventually, I’ll have to, but I just want to enjoy this time with them.

Today is Chase’s dad’s birthday party. The guys had a bye week for hockey, so no scrimmage this weekend. The party is this afternoon. We took our time getting out of bed and getting ready for today.

Cam and Hawk left early so Adam wouldn’t know they spent the night. Again. It’s almost like they take turns creeping in to sleep with Damon and me. I wish we didn’t need to sneak around at all. But I don’t think Mom would be cool with me sleeping with any of my boyfriends let alone all three of them.

While Damon got ready, I put on a simple dress that goes down to my knees. Makeup covers the little love bites litteredacross my collarbone, but I know they’re there. The marks the Devil’s trio leave on me. Claiming me as theirs. Now, Damon sits on my bed in nice dress slacks and a black collared shirt, propped up on his hands as he watches me put jewelry on.

Even after everything we’ve done, awareness of his cocky grin spins my insides like a carnival ride, leaving me dizzy and aching for him in the same breath. Will I ever get enough of him?

“Did you find the movie list?” he asks.

“It’s in the box in my closet.” I gesture with my elbow. We’re all planning on watching a movie from the list tonight over at Hawk’s so we have some privacy. He also has a movie theater room I haven’t seen yet. I can’t wait.