Page 60 of Brutal Little Secrets

“Hey, I barely saw you this morning,” Mia says.

“I was running late.” I breathe out and turn to face her. “I need to tell you something.”

“Sure, what’s up?” Mia glances at the guys before giving me her attention.

This feels like a mistake, but I can’t let Chase be the one to tell her. I don’t trust him. I’m not sure I trust Mia fully, but if I want to be her friend, I need to give her a little trust. Trusting Chase was a mistake, but trusting the guys isn’t. So it’s a gamble, but I’m willing to take it.

“My mom moved us in with the guy she was dating a few weeks ago.”

“Yeah? Is that hard?” Mia seems concerned.

I drag in a breath and hold it before bursting out. “My mom is dating Damon’s dad. The house you were at… I live there now. Sorry I didn’t tell you, but I really wasn’t expecting it. And it doesn’t really change anything. I’m still the same girl you met in the office.”

How much of what I say is trying to convince myself I haven’t changed? Because some part of me wants to cling to who I was and is scared of who I’m becoming. The Devil’s trio’s attention will fade. And if I’m not who I was, how will I deal with all this when it’s over?

Mia’s gaze narrows on me for a moment before it clears, and she smiles. “That has to be intense. Do you want to get coffee after rehearsal tonight to talk about it?”

“I’m tutoring someone tonight.” I don’t really want to tell her how much access I have to the Devil’s trio. It’s bad enough she knows I’m living with Damon.

“We’re going to the game on Friday, right?” She’s still smiling, but I can’t tell if she’s just acting. Fucking actors.

“Yeah, of course.” I breathe out when she turns to the guys.

“We still need to work on our history project.” She leans her elbows on the desk and looks between Hawk and Damon. “When?”

“This weekend. My place. After the scrimmage.” Damon doesn’t hesitate.

“Good.” Mia smiles at me before turning her attention to the teacher.

Chapter 18

EvanAnn

After another long lecture and note-taking, Mia and I walk to the cafeteria with Damon and Hawk following us. I’m still not sure how Mia actually feels about me living with Damon, but I’m not going to push it. I still have to face Chase about dinner last night.

When I glance at Hawk, he smirks like he knows I’m hoping he’ll bail me out again, but with a wink, he follows Damon across the cafeteria. I get my salad and head to the table where Mia meets me from the pizza bar.

“You aren’t upset I didn’t tell you, are you?” I ask as we sit down.

“Fuck, no. I get it. You moved in with Damon, and I told you I wanted to fuck the guy.” She laughs. “I would have been wary in your position too. I figure he’s pretty standoffish at the house, huh?”

“Yeah.” Not sure how to explain anything that I’ve done with Damon since I moved in. She’d probably be happy I sucked his cock. But I’m still worried she might be mad I have them and basically told them they could never have her.

“What does Chase think about you living with that deliciousness?” She winks as she tears into her pizza.

“He just found out last night. So I don’t really know how he feels yet,” I admit. I don’t know if he wants it widely known or if he’s going to keep it to himself. It’s one of the reasons I finally admitted it to Mia.

“Are you really going to get back together with him?” She looks at me warily. “I know we’re new friends, but once a cheater, always a cheater. I get it if you want to stay with him. He’s hot and seems sweet sometimes, but I’d also understand if you want to buy a bunch of feminine products and stick them all over his car in retribution.”

I laugh, imagining his face if he came out and found his car plastered in pads and tampons. Mia smirks.

“I can help make that happen.” She nudges me with her elbow. “After all, I’m your best friend.”

“What are you making happen?” Chase stands behind us with his lunch.

“Nothing good.” She winks at him but turns to me. “We’ll talk later.”

I smile at her. It’s not a bad idea. Chase loves his fucking truck.