Page 6 of Hard to Break

“We might have set a new record for orgasms,” I offer, my mind offering up a few of those extremely satisfying encounters.

Nova’s eyes dance. “You’ve hooked up on every horizontal surface in that condo?”

“Some of the vertical ones too.”

She laughs. “It’s more than that though. I see how he looks at you.”

The hairs on my neck and arms lift, and it’s not from the cold. The tingling starts deep in my stomach when I picture Miles’s handsome face, hear his voice, imagine him near.

I shoot her a look. “It’s new, and I get the sense he wants it to be easy. Not just him and me, but all of it. Maybe it should be, but I can’t help thinking about the pitfalls.

“My mom keeps telling me it’s a huge mistake. I get comments daily on my social profiles telling me how wrong I am for dating him. But at least Jay doesn’t look at Miles like he wants to murder him when they’re in the same room, so that’s progress.”

My brother and I talked a few days ago, but it’s not like all the wounds are immediately healed.

Nova nudges my shoulder. “People don’t like change. It’s threatening to them, and no matter how beautiful a new reality might be, they only see the risk.”

I turn that over as we continue down the trail, the sun filtering through the trees and warming us.

“The team decided to keep supporting Miles as an all-star nominee, but the timing of that run-in with Kevin was the worst possible. I can’t help feeling I’m missing part of the story.” I chew my lip.

“Miles didn’t tell you what Kevin said to him?”

“Just that he owed Kevin something, then Kevin hit him.” I shake my head. “Somehow the handful of videos posted online show Miles throwing the first punch, and conveniently, no one seems to show Kevin shoving him first.”

“You think Kevin was jealous?”

“No,” I decide. “I saw him recently and didn’t give him what he wanted. I think he needed someone to take it out on. Kevin has a temper but he’ll get it under control. I just feel awful for Miles. I brought this to him.”

“I’m pretty sure the fact that Miles chose to beat up Kevin back in college wasn’t your fault,” Nova reminds me.

I feel a hit of gratitude.

“More than one commentor has made the connection that I went to school with Kevin and we dated. They’re trying to make me out to be the bad guy. What if I am?”

I thought I knew pressure from growing up on social media, with the mother and brother I have, but being with Miles is bringing an extra layer of scrutiny.

“You’re no villain, Brooke Ellis. I will fight anyone who says otherwise.”

My lips twitch. “Thanks, but no thanks. The last thing I need is more violence in my name right now.” I cut a look at myfriend. “How do you and Clay deal with the speculation that follows you the entire season?”

“Clay mostly ignores it. I get that ignoring people’s opinions is a luxury not everyone has. Even so, he’s had to build up the thick skin. But the alternative is worse.”

She doesn’t have to remind me of the bad place he was in a couple of years ago. Fortunately, she was there to help him.

“At least Miles has you in his corner now,” she goes on. “Are you going to the all-star game?”

“If Miles goes, I’d love to. But it isn’t something we’ve discussed—from my end, because I didn’t want to jinx his chances, and he probably didn’t want to put pressure on me.”

The terrain gets steeper. I refuse to slow down, and my heart rate picks up as my hiking shoes dig into the dirt.

“Well, voting closes tomorrow. Announcements are only a few days away.”

Nova slips on a loose twig. “Oops!”

I grab her arm to keep her upright. “Don’t fall and break anything. I’d have to call one of the guys to carry you back.”

“Clay would happily do it, but I don’t want to give him an excuse to mess with his knee again.” She laughs.

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