Page 75 of Hard to Break

The line goes dead.

21

BROOKE

“Princess. I was ready to send out a search party?—"

“It was Kevin.”

I walk in the door to see Miles getting up from the couch, Waffles tucked under one arm. “Huh?”

“Kevin was responsible for the drugs in your locker.”

I fill him in on all of it—Caroline’s help, the trainer. His expression hardens as I talk.

“Caroline said he thought you had proof of what happened back in college,” I finish.

“I have photos of him in a pretty compromising position. But I’m not sure it’s enough to bring him down today.” Miles shakes his head. “He’s a prick, but this is definitely another level.”

In retrospect, it makes perfect sense. He thinks Miles has details on his drug use from college and decides to use drugs to bring down the rival he hates.

“He called and threatened me. He wanted me to stop looking into it.”

“What?” Miles is across the couch in a second. His hands find my arms, already tight with concern and simmering rage. “When I’m done with him, he won’t be able to see fuckinganything.”

“No.” I brush my palms over his face. “I’m fine, and you will get your team into the playoffs because that’s your job. I don’t need you fighting for me… unless it’s with your words,” I amend.

Miles groans, pulling me into his arms so tight it’s hard to breathe.

“I don’t like this, Princess.”

“I know, but we don’t have proof unless the trainer comes forward.”

We sink back onto the couch, but neither of us is relaxed. He’s perched on the edge, and so am I.

We brainstorm ideas, including going to the police, to my mom.

“She won’t do anything,” I say. “Kevin’s family matters to her campaign. Even more if they’re going through this big merger.”

All night, he holds me.

The next morning, Miles has to go to practice. “Come with me,” he says.

“I’ll be fine.”

“I don’t like you being out here by yourself.”

I try to push it from my mind when I go to work out.

When I shower.

When I take Waffles for a walk.

But anger surges through me, hot and fierce.

I see a post on social saying Kevin is accepting an ethics award on behalf of his family firm this week. In the photo, he’s grinning, standing next to his grinning father and grandfather.

A sharp knock at the door jolts me. As I peer through the peephole, my breath catches in my throat. It's my mother, her face set in lines of grim determination.

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