Page 84 of Pucking Revenge

“Because we shouldn’t have done what we did. I shouldn’t have done what I did. Of course I’m acting weird.”

I try to step to one side, to put distance between us, but he doesn’t let me go. “You can’t be serious right now. You promised nothing would change. Now that we’ve hooked up, you ignore me?” I lick my lips and drop my chin, focusing on one of the buttons on his shirt, willing my heart not to crack. “I need this job, Brooks. You’re the face of the team. No matter what you do, you’ll be okay. Your spot here is secure. But I’ll be heading back to North Carolina with nothing. I need this job.” I force myself to meet his gaze, despite the tears blurring my vision. “I don’t think you understand just how much.”

His face twists in anguish. “Never, Sar. No matter what happens, never. Your job is safe.” He huffs out a breath. “Fuck, I’m fucking this all up.”

I scan his face, searching for the meaning behind his words. Trying to reconcile the man I thought Brooks was—the kind, loyal, caring guy he’s portrayed for the year we’ve been friends—with the asshole who’s been giving me the cold shoulder all week.

All I come up with is a whole lot of nothing. “Yeah,” I sigh. “You are.”

With a low groan, he rests his forehead against mine. He takes several shallow breaths and watches me. I can’t take my eyes off him either.

“Believe me,” he says, his voice low. “I’m the one at risk here.”

“What does that even mean?”

He shakes his head against mine. “Just know that you’ll always have a spot with the Bolts. And more than that…” He takes my hand and lifts it to his chest. His heart pounds beneath my palm. “You’ll always have a spot here. You have nothing to worry about.” The warm breath that leaves his lips sends the hairs framing my face fluttering. He uses one finger to brush a few stray strands from my temple, then settles his palm against my cheek. “I’ll do better.”

I cover his hand and lean into his touch. “I’m so confused. You haven’t so much as looked at me since we were in your uncle’s office.” Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I force myself to ask the questions I don’t really want the answers to. “Did I push you too far? Is that not what you want? Are we just friends? Please.” God, I hate how desperate I sound. Even so, I don’t stop. “I need to know what’s going on between us.”

Without my permission, a tear crests my lashes and slips down my cheek.

Brooks’s face crumples, his lips turning down and anguish overtaking his features. He swipes at the tear with his thumb. “No crying, baby. I’m sorry. No, we’re not just friends. But what happened in the hot tub—what happened in Seb’s office—that should have been just for us. You’re not a fucking prop, Sar. I all but fucked you in front of my uncle on the pool deck. Anyone could have seen. Taken photos. Anyone could have walked in and caught us in that office.”

“But I liked it,” I hiss. “I know I’m not a prop. I orchestrated the damn thing in the office.” My heart clenches in my chest so sharply I suck in a breath. “I need to know that I didn’t force you to do something you didn’t want to do. Because that’s how I feel. God, Brooks, I feel like I seduced my best friend, and now he’s realized I’m the horrible person his uncle says I am. The slut. The bunny.”Another tear escapes, then another.

Brooks’s grip on my cheek tightens, and he steps closer, so we’re chest to chest. “No?—”

Beside us, the facility assistant appears, startling us both. “Press is ready for the Bolts.”

THIRTY-ONE

BROOKS

Me: I need an excuse for why we can’t go to mom’s for dinner tomorrow.

Aiden: I got nothing.

Gavin: Everything okay?

Beckett: Already done. Finn broke Dad’s whiskey decanter with the Nerf gun last time we were there.

Me: Tell that kid I’ll buy him whatever he wants this week as a thank you.

Beckett: Yeah, no. We don’t need any more animals in this house.

Gavin: Oh, you know you miss Junior.

Beckett: I can’t wait until you have kids.

Gavin: LOL never happening. You are having more than enough kids for the rest of us.

Beckett: Duck you.

Me: I’m coming over tomorrow. I need advice.

Aiden: Finn does give great advice.

Gavin: Aiden, you’re an idiot. Brooks, I’ll ask again. You okay?

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