Page 82 of Brutal Little Secrets

Cam chuckles as he sits on the other side of Mia while Hawk takes the seat next to me and Damon sits behind me. I keep my breathing steady and don’t close my eyes when Damon’s fingers brush against the nape of my neck.

My hair is up in a ponytail. That might have been a mistake because I have to suppress the shivers Damon’s touch sends through me.

I don’t think for a second that was an accident.

The heat of Hawk’s thigh against mine sets my insides on fire. Was this part of the plan? Because I’m not prepared. I take a minute and breathe out and in, ready to improvise my way through this scene.

It would help if I knew what the purpose of the scene was.

I keep my gaze out on the field. Chase isn’t playing right now. He stands on the sidelines and when he glances back, like he’s been doing, his smile fades and he does a doubletake.

His arms drop and he almost takes a step toward us. He frowns and narrows his gaze. I act like this is completely normal, and it’s not unusual for the guys to be sitting around me. I raise my hand to wave to him.

He lifts his hand to me, but the furrow remains on his brow. Damon brushes his fingertips down my nape, and an involuntary shiver rushes through me before I can stop it. Chase frowns, but his coach draws his attention back to the game.

Cam is talking to Mia, so I lean back against Damon’s legs and turn my face slightly to him to say, “You’re evil.”

“You know it, little devil.” He tugs my ponytail and I straighten.

We’re probably drawing attention from the students around us, but I feel better knowing they’re here with me. I don’t think Jackson will show up at another football game. Last time could have been because we were playing his school. I don’t know though.

Maybe I should have paid closer attention to him and where he went for high school. So I could keep track of things like that.

“Any new texts?” Hawk asks. He reaches over and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

I shake my head. “I blocked the number. Not that it will keep him from using another number.”

My chest tightens. I don’t know for sure it’s Jackson, but I feel like it is. I don’t know when he’ll show up again. Maybe he won’t. Maybe he just wanted to scare me because I ghosted him. What if it’s just a joke to him? And it’s tearing me up inside for nothing?

I can’t think about it. There’s too much that needs to happen tonight at the party. I don’t need to worry about him because I have the guys. They’re going to protect me. Take care of me. Damon’s shin rests against my back.

Mia turns to smile at me around her lollipop and give me a wink. She nudges me and jerks her chin toward the steps. I turn to look and see Olivia coming our way.

She comes down the aisle and stops directly in front of us. Her two friends stop behind her, effectively blocking the game.

“You’re in the way,” Damon says, leaning back against the bleachers behind him.

“Ha. Ha. Very funny, Damon.” She glances at me. “I suppose you’re as good a whore as any for him to use.”

Mia stands and gets between me and Olivia. “My brother and I talk, Olivia.” She looks Olivia up and down with disdain. “He said you were a decent fuck. A little too eager to get him into bed. Chase told him the only way to shut you up was to fuck your throat.”

My breath catches. How long has she known about Chase and Olivia? Since that party when I found out about his cheating? But I continued to date him. She’s supposed to be my friend. Why wouldn’t she say anything?

“Whatever.” Olivia gets up in Mia’s face. “You don’t belong here. You should go back to whatever public school rejected you.”

Mia laughs and her face turns serious. “You don’t know half of the shit that went down at my old school.” Hands on her hips, she looks Olivia up and down like she’s taking her measure. “Our queen bee doesn’t offer people money to stop looking at her man. No, she gets real inventive. You wouldn’t last a day there. She’d smack you down in an instant. If she didn’t, someone else would put you in your place.”

“Why am I not surprised? Violence is, of course, the answer. How common of you.” Olivia looks at Mia like she’s beneath her, but she doesn’t back down. “You don’t scare me, Mia. I’ve known girls like you all my life. The ones who can only get guys by putting out.” She pouts. “How’s that going for you here?”

“Just fine actually. Thanks for asking.” Mia straightens and smiles politely. “Fuck off. No one wants you here.”

Olivia glares at Mia before looking at Damon.

“Damon,” she says it like he should stand up for her.

Damon leans forward and wraps his arms around my shoulders, resting his chin on my head. “Take a hint.”

She stomps her foot and walks away. Her lackeys follow after her.