Page 59 of Hard to Break

We all sit with that a minute.

“What do we do?” Rookie asks.

“Nothing,” Jay says firmly. “Keep your noses clean. Focus on the season. Get back into winning form.”

“Can we tell the media someone is behind this?” Atlas suggests.

Chloe shakes her head. “They won’t believe it. It will sound like we’re deflecting instead of handling our problems internally.”

No one likes that, but there’s not much we can do about it.

“I’ll talk to Harlan about increasing security,” Chloe says.

We all nod.

“Kodiaks on three,” Jay calls.

We put our hands in.

“Catch you at practice,” Rookie says, clapping me on the shoulder.

“Thanks, man.”

Chloe and the guys disperse one by one, leaving Jay and me. The room feels empty even though it’s not that big.

“Vacation’s almost over.” Jay lingers by the door as I grab my things.

“Thank fuck. Don’t know what to do with myself all week. Lying on the couch staring at the ceiling and watchingThe Bachelordoesn’t help.”

My friend shakes his head.

I hesitate before asking, “How’s Brooke?”

“You guys don’t talk?”

“It’s not the same.” Confessing to my best friend about his sister feels awkward, and from the look on his face, he’s right there with me.

“I get why she wanted a break. I made life extra rough for her, and maybe I fell harder than she did,” I admit.

“That’s not it.” Jay frowns, rubbing a hand over his face. “She’s been through some things. Kevin treated her like shit, then her sorority sisters turned their backs on her too? You might think I don’t want to see you guys together, but it’s not because she’s my sister. It’s because the attention’ll be even worse this time around with her being linked to you. After what we grew up with and Mom’s career, I don’t want that for her.”

“I can protect her.”

“Not from all of it, you can’t. You can’t be there all the time.”

“Then I’ll be there after,” I say firmly. “This time. Every time.”

Jay grunts, as if my commitment made this worse.

“What?” I challenge.

“I think that was her excuse for leaving, and as far as I’m concerned, it’s more than enough. But if I know my sister, she half believes what they’re saying. That she’s bad for you.”

Disbelief rises up. “That’s bullshit. We both know it.”

He stares me down. “Maybe you should tell her.”

BROOKE

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