Page 96 of Brutal Little Secrets

Hawk is passionate, and when I needed him, he was there. No questions asked.

I feel like they all get part of me and want all of me.

But they haven’t said they love me. They want me and want to keep me for now, but will they ever be able to love me? Is that possible? Because I’m losing my heart to each of them.

For a while, Mia and Jackson trade stats back and forth. He thinks she’s really impressive with the knowledge she’s gained, and she preens. At least, he says that. He could be trying to charm her. As Mia flirts with him without trying to push him on me again, I start to relax.

I focus on the guys skating around their competition like the opposite team is standing still. I try to figure out more about the game and ignore Mia and Jackson.

But my mind keeps spinning. I should be engaging with him while I’m safe.

Is there a way to find out if he’s my creepy texter? The fact he’s shown up at a football game and now the hockey game definitely points in his direction. So maybe that’s the way to out him.

“Don’t you have a scrimmage today?” I ask, interrupting whatever they were talking about.

Mia looks at me curiously.

Jackson smirks and runs his hand through his dark hair. “Nah, it’s a bye week for us. There’s an odd number of teams in the league.”

Okay, that’s a good reason. He said he was checking out the competition. “Didn’t you guys already play Deimos?”

“You should know, pretty girl, you were here.”

My heart stops for a second. He was here and I didn’t know it. How vulnerable was I? I was with Chase the whole time, butdid I go to the bathroom alone? Fuck, I’m here. I was safe. I push aside the fear trying to drag me under. “Then why are you here?”

“We play the Coyotes next week. Coach encourages us to go to games when we can.” That’s the opposing team. Jackson’s smile is a little tighter. “Besides, I wanted to see if Mia was here again. I haven’t heard from her since the football game last week.”

Mia smiles. “Like I said, her boyfriend’s being a dick. She’s had a rough week.”

“It’s not a problem. They’re good questions. She’s looking out for her friend.” His eyes sparkle with mischief when he catches mine. “Evan has always kept me on my toes. I thought I lost her.”

Those words. Fuck, is he toying with me? Making me sound like the crazy one? Maybe he just wants to punish me for disappearing on him after he kissed me.

The buzzer sounds, and I look out as the teams leave the ice. Damon hangs back, skating slow circles around the rink. My heart buzzes when he meets my gaze.Let me take care of you.

“That’s weird.” Jackson nods toward the ice. “Usually the coach would call in everyone so they can clean the ice.”

“Damon’s going to go pro.” Mia sighs as she watches him skate. “There aren’t many who do. But he’s definitely going to draw attention when he goes to college. He’s the real deal.”

“He’s okay.” Jackson scoffs. “If you like a wealthy kid making it. He had all the best equipment and daddy to pay for extra training.”

“You’re the underdog story then?” Mia asks, curling her hair around her finger.

“I got into a great program because I earned it, not because daddy paid for my spot.” There’s bitterness in Jackson’s tone.

I swallow. What will he do when he knows Damon’s claimed me? What will he do to Damon? I’d like to believe nothing. But then I’m there in that moment with Jackson kissing me whileI couldn’t do anything. There’s something dangerous about Jackson.

And if he’s really watching me like his texts said, then he probably knows about the guys already.

“Hey, Evan.” Cam drops into the seat next to me. He nods to Mia and Jackson.

I glance at the ice, and Damon has disappeared. Cam runs a hand through his wet hair.

“Checking out your competition?” Cam asks Jackson. “The Coyotes were okay, but they’re too weak to play against us.”

Jackson laughs. “I doubt we’ll have any issues then.”

Cam puts his arm on the armrest between us and presses it against me. He’s so warm. I didn’t realize how cold I’d gotten. I want to lean into him but don’t want to antagonize Jackson.