Page 1 of Devious Love

prologue

DOMINIC

Age 10

I don’t knowwhat I did to deserve it, but my best friend, Matt, always shows up with a tiny extra—his six-year-old sister, Mia. She’s like…always there, and since we live next door and my dad is friends with their parents, I can’t even escape her in my own house. She annoys me more than homework, and I swear, I hate doing homework.

Okay, that’s a lie. It’s kind of fun when she plays with us. Sometimes. Like today. We’re playing hide-and-seek at their house, and she hid so well, Matt and I have spent the last twenty minutes looking for her.

I slowly creep to the closet in their dad’s office, and when I open it, big blue eyes sparkle with mischief, and she breaks into a smile.

“Gotcha!” I cheer.

“You found her?” Matt calls, his footsteps pounding down the hall.

“Yeah.” I hold my hand out and help Mia out of the closet. I’m kind of impressed by how she managed to fit herself into such a small space.

“Mia,” Matt fumes as he stomps into the room. “You’re supposed to hide someplace we can find you.”

With an even brighter smile, she takes off, skirting us both on her way out of the room. Giggles float through the space as she heads down the stairs.

Matt and I stick close behind her.

Matt gets ahead of me as we run into the living room, where their mom, Monica, watches a cooking show. She ignores us. She’s used to our antics.

Halfway across the room, Matt catches Mia’s elbow, trying to stop her. She staggers back a little, and her body moves in slow motion. Her legs fly out from under her and hit the end table next to the couch. A vase on top wobbles back and forth until it hits the floor and breaks into several big pieces.

Monica gasps. “What’s going on?” She stands and rounds the couch, her eyes narrowing on her children.

Matt and Mia stand still, heads bowed. All the fun energy evaporates. I shuffle closer, stopping beside my best friend to show my support.

“Mom.” Matt sounds pleading. “I’m sorry. We didn’t mean to break your vase.”

“I’m sorry, Mommy.” Mia sniffles. “I knocked?—”

“That’s enough!” Monica snaps, zeroing in on her daughter.

I flinch even though the anger isn’t directed at me.

“Go to your room,” she says, her focus still firmly fixed on Mia. “I don’t want to hear another word.”

“It’s my fault.” Matt steps toward his mom.

She doesn’t bother looking his way. “I saw what happened. Mia, go to your room. Now.”

Without a word, Mia drags herself out of the living room and up the stairs.

My heart hammers. This isn’t fun anymore. Matt and I don’t move. We don’t speak. Monica studies us in silence then goes back to sit on the couch as if nothing happened. Though this is nothing new, the difference in the way she treats her kids still surprises me. It’s always Mia’s fault and never Matt’s.

Sighing, Matt heads out of the room. I follow him, but after what I just witnessed, it doesn’t feel right to continue playing, so I say goodbye and go home.

In the garage, I find Dad changing his car’s oil and stick around to help him. Once we’re done, we head inside to watch football. It’s our thing. We always watch the game together. I love it when he’s home and when he lets me help with cars. I don’t work on them yet, but even standing at his side, handing him the tools he needs, is fun.

“Can I get a drink?” I ask Dad.

“Yup.” He dips his chin. “I made lemonade while you were at the Ashtons’.”

A smile creeps over my face. “You’re the best.”