Page 163 of Dark Tangled Truths
“You’re too nice. That’s why I love you.” She smiles softly.
“Are you coming back to Anteros?” I can’t help but ask, though I think I know the answer.
“No, with what happened with Tanner, my parents insisted I go to boarding school, Barrington Academy. There’s more security and with the trial coming up, they don’t want to have to worry about reporters asking me questions. Brandt’s sister goes there, but I’ll stay away from her. She’s a manipulative bitch.”
I laugh, and we spend the rest of the game catching up.
When the Devils win, because they always win, we head down to meet the guys when they come out of the locker room. Liam gets there first and frowns at Mia’s jersey.
“Kitten?” He pulls her into his arms. “Didn’t we talk about this?”
She leans up and whispers in his ear. His grin widens as she speaks. When she turns to me, she gives me a wink.
Damon, Cam, and Hawk come out next. Cam grabs me and spins me in a circle. I barely notice Damon and Hawk greeting Mia stiffly. But it’s not like she was their favorite person.
Fletcher joins us and kisses Mia. “You don’t know how hard it was to break her free from that boarding school.”
“It’s called a weekend pass.” Mia rolls her eyes. “It’s not that hard.”
“It will be later,” Liam says quietly.
I turn my face into Cam’s shoulder and laugh.
“We should go get some dinner,” Cam says. “You guys want to come along?”
Surprised, I glance around at everyone as they nod in agreement. I smile at Mia, grateful to have my friend back.
Christmas break is amazingthis year. Normally, I spend the holiday taking in movies or reading plays or figuring out what to work on next. This year we spent Christmas day with our families and each other, but the day after Christmas we head to Damon’s family vacation home in the mountains.
It’s just the kind of reset we need. After the semester we had...
In November, I had to testify at Jackson’s trial and then present a victim’s statement at the sentencing. Hawk and I went over the victim’s impact statement a few times. We argued about it. I don’t want to ruin his life the way he tried to ruin mine. But I also know Jackson needs mental health treatment to get better.
It feels hypocritical of me to love one stalker and think the other should be punished. Damon and I have talked about it (even in therapy), but what Damon did and what Jackson did aren’t different because I liked one of them more. It’s why they did it. And yes, Damon did it without my knowledge at first, but now it’s just part of who we are as a couple.
Jackson wanted to control me. To make me into who he believed me to be. Damon loves me for who I am. He watches me because he’s afraid to lose me like he did his mother.
I do think Jackson should be punished, but I want him to get the help he needs. He’ll never have a fulfilling life if his philosophy clings to him.
He’s been remanded to a state facility for mental health for no less than three years. He’ll be allowed to train while there, so he won’t lose his hockey skills. It’s the best I can do for him, and I wish him well.
Hawk made sure I’d have a restraining order that’s renewable, so Jackson won’t be able to go to whatever college I’m at. That was non-negotiable from the Devil’s trio. And honestly, I don’t know, even after he gets help, if I’ll ever be willing to sit in the same room as Jackson Riordan.
Damon and Cam grab our bags from the trunk, and I lead the way to the door, entering the code. It’s cold outside, but inside is already warm and the lights are on. Apparently they also pay someone to stock the fridge so we don’t have to worry about getting food.
Hawk grabs me and throws me over his shoulder as Cam and Damon bring the suitcases upstairs with us. I’m laughing the whole way and barely get to see the place. Hawk drops me on the bed, and I scramble to sit up.
I glance around the room. It’s large, obviously the primary, with a huge bed and a view of the mountains covered in snow. It’s gorgeous and feels like a dream to be here with the threeof them. After everything we went through, we’re stronger than ever.
Hawk sits down next to me and pulls off my shoes before taking off his own. I sit on the bed and watch Cam and Damon putting our stuff away. They took off their shoes downstairs. Hawk lies back on the bed and gives me a smoldering look.
My body heats. We’re alone for the first time in forever. Even when we’re at our houses, usually a parent or two are home. It’s made me self-conscious even if they can’t hear us all the way across the house. Because theyknow.
Even though their houses are big, the guys do try to make me scream loud enough to be heard everywhere. It’s like a challenge I didn’t sign up for but definitely enjoy taking part in. Though I definitely don’t enjoy sitting across from a knowing look from parents at dinner.
But here and now, we have the whole place to ourselves with no neighbors in sight. We’re in that zone where school doesn’t exist for a week, and we have nothing to do but enjoy each other.
“So what do you want to do first?” I turn to ask Hawk. “Movie marathon? Catch up onStranger Things? Oh, read a book? For pleasure?”
