Page 129 of Twisted Collide

Not now and, depending on if this threat is real, not ever.

If my secret gets out . . . life as I know it will never be the same.

What if Coach finds out? He’ll never let me near his team, let alone his daughter.

The more I think about it, the more I know I need to break up with Hellfire toprotecther.

And that leaves four problems.

First—I don’t want to break up with her.

Second—I refuse to hurt her feelings.

Third—it’s im-freaking-possible to break up with someone without hurting their feelings.

And fourth—I DON’T WANT TO BREAK UP WITH HER.

In the end, I know I need to be firm, or my persistent hellfire will scent out my weakness. She always does.

I stare at my phone, my hands trembling.

Do it.

Dane:Something came up. I won’t be able to see you.

Hellfire: Are you okay?

Dane:Yes.

I burymy face in my hands. I did the right thing.

There was no choice to be made.

This is for the best.

55

JOSIE

We’rein New York today. The Saints are playing the Empires tonight, but since we have a few hours before the game, and Dane canceled on me yesterday, I’ve decided to take Molly up on her offer to go sightseeing with her.

“So, where to first?” I ask her as we step outside the hotel the team stayed in last night in New York City.

“You’ve never been, right?”

I shake my head. “Nope.”

“Then today, we are tourists.” She winks.

“And as tourists, where should we go?”

“Hmm, Times Square?”

“I saw it last night while we were driving in. Seemed crowded.” I grimace playfully.

Molly laughs beside me. “It is, but isn’t all of the city?” she deadpans.

She’s right. Even now, this early in the morning, it’s insane. I scan the street in front of me, and all I can see is an endless streamof cars and trucks passing us, honking taxis, and masses of people dashing by, all late for something. How they’re already late when it’s only seven in the morning is beyond me. Nothing is even open yet.

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