Page 92 of Freckles

“What would you know about it?”

“When did you two first hook up? Did he make you wait until after you got him on the team?”

My cousin’s face turns stony… but the slow flush rising from his neck tells the true story.

“I’ll give you some ammunition, but only if you tell me why you fucked around with Francesca.” He continues to glower at me. “What d’you have to lose by telling me? It’s behind us now.”

Ezra holds out for another minute, then puffs out an aggrieved breath. “Fine. He wouldn’t let me touch him until I ditched my girlfriend but…” His jaw clenches.

“But…?”

“Fuck you. You’ll just laugh.”

“Because I find it so amusing that you stuck your cock in my girlfriend’s mouth.”

He shifts from foot to foot, my flat tone unsettling him. “The longer we went out, the harder it was to perform with Alice. I excused it away with stress and a new training regimen, but I know she suspected the truth. I got worried that if I dumped her, she’d—” He abruptly cuts off, tugging back his fringe.

“Tell everyone you’re gay?”

“Yeah, maybe.” His looks miserable. “But I guess you’re going to do that now.”

“I don’t spill family secrets.”

When he glances at me, his nostrils pinch together, then he nods. “Thanks. Aidan told me about this ad Francesca had…” He frowns. “You knew about that, right?”

“Yeah. I know.”

“Okay, so he suggested if I went along and filmed it, then Alice would break off with me and everyone would believe we broke up because I was fucking another girl. Anything else would sound like sour grapes.” He pauses for a second, then adds, “Not gonna lie. The fact you had a crush on her was an added bonus. Kind of hoped it would throw you off your game.”

My frown grows deeper as I turn over the new information. Appalled anew at Aidan’s callousness, exploiting my cousin’s attraction, traumatising Francesca to earn a place on the team. “But you didn’t show Alice the video. I did.”

“Yeah.” He shrugs. “What can I say? You’re predictable. If you hadn’t, I would’ve just arranged for someone else to send it.”

“You don’t fancy Francesca at all?”

He snorts. “No. You’re welcome to keep your little redhead all to yourself.” His smile thins. “If you’re worried on that score, it’s Onyx you need to keep her away from.”

Don’t I know it.

I press send, then tuck my phone away, clapping him on the shoulder. “Use it wisely, man. Either to get Aidan thrown off the team or earn a place in the try-outs with a little selector blackmail.”

His eyes widen as he watches the video, but I don’t stick around to the end.

It’s time to collect my girl and head home.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO

FRANCESCA

When I enterthe private airport terminal on Sunday, it takes my breath away. I expected something fancy, but it blows my expectations out of the water, opulence practically dripping from the walls. Even the view from the floor to ceiling windows is fascinating, showing a variety of jets painted with private livery, and the quality of the food makes me want to inhale the entire buffet.

Everything functional is hidden behind a glorious façade. The wallpaper is a thick brocade that has more in common with expensive fabric than the cheap coverings I’m used to.

Kincaid doesn’t seem to notice. All his attention is on me as we move through the space, leading to a pair of sprawling leather seats near the window. A plane takes off as we arrive and my eyes follow it, a curious hollowness in my chest as I worry what it will be like. If flying will turn me into a white-knuckle passenger or if I’ll be excited, my nose glued to the window.

Probably the latter.

He chuckles as I twist and turn, trying to see everything at once. “Do you want something to eat?”

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