Page 96 of Forgive You

But as the wind blows through my messy hair, there’re these thoughts flying into my brain uninvited.

How are you going to keep your distance now?

You know what will happen if he finds out about Jacob.

You have to tell him.

I can’t tell him.

Fuck.Fuck. FUCK.

I close my eyes, letting the morning sun warm my cheeks, praying it will also give me a solution.

Mutt runs back to me, settling onto my lap like he knows I need some cuddles.

“What have I done, Mutt?” I scratch his belly, and he looks up at me like a Gremlin, flashing his teeth and his floppy ears spread out onto the beach. “How am I ever going to fix this? There’s no way back now, and I don’t want to. I love him.” I smile down at the dog, bringing my face closer to his. “Sssh, don’t tell anyone.”

The little animal grunts, as if he’s pleading allegiance, and I laugh.

“What the fuck should I do? I don’t want to keep lying to him. Ican’tkeep lying to him, but at the same time, he will commit a murder if he finds out the truth,” I mumble absentmindedly to the dog.

But that’s not even the biggest issue. If Jacob finds out Jason and I are together, he will feel threatened. Who knows what Jacob is capable of when he feels threatened? What if he sends out the video?”

“Got any advice, Mutt?” I rub his neck, registering Jason’s voice behind me and I glance over my shoulder.

“We’ll be right there.” He stops beside me with a frown, his lips curling a little, and I crane my neck to look at him. “Are you having a deep conversation with the dog?”

I nod, grin wide and genuine.

Jason holds out his hand, and Mutt jumps up, allowing me to get to my feet.

“We need to leave, baby.” Annoyance sparks in his blue gaze. “Ford got arrested.”

26

I’d expected to have mind-blowing sex this weekend. As much as I know we’ve crossed a line there’s no coming back from, deep down, I secretly hoped we’d cross it. And by the time I hit my first orgasm, I couldn’t wait to wake up in Jason’s arms.

I stayed awake a little longer than he did, followed the rhythm of his heart underneath my ear. Trailing his six-pack with my fingers. Smiling at the thought of lying in bed together all morning.

What I didn’t expect was to be rudely pulled from my unclaimed plan because Ford decided to sleep off his buzz at the local police station.

I like the boy, I really do. He has a big mouth, a heart of gold, and some definite trauma hidden underneath those mischievous eyes. But man, does he have a knack for getting in trouble.

Ten minutes after Jason paid Ford’s bail, we’re waiting in front of the police station for him to come out. When he finally does, my sympathetic heart twitches a little.

Gone are his playboy smirks or the cheekiness in his gaze. His caramel skin is covered in deep bruises, etched with some bloodalong his cheekbones. His once crisp white shirt is partly tucked into his deep blue jeans, stained with smudges.

Being a professional hockey player, he’s not shy to throwing punches. He shouldn’t do it at a bar, though.

The whole sight sells his bad boy image, but it’s the way it looks like he’s carrying around his soul tucked underneath his arms that makes me want to pull him in my arms and tell him he’s not alone.

I glance at Jason, who’s grunting at the sight of him. “Don’t yell at him.”

I doubt Jason Spencer preaching is gonna do any good right now.

“I’m not making any promises.”

Ford lifts his arms, a deep sigh released from his lungs. “I’m sorry, man.”

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