“You’re a survivor, Remi,” I say.
“Not really.” She shrugs, as if everything she’s been through is nothing. “Some girls experience much worse than I did.”
I avert my gaze, scared that if she looks into my eyes she’ll see the truth. Uncover my secrets.
“Where’s Cole?” Ace asks out of nowhere. “I thought he’d be down here by now.”
“Ask Hadley.” Conner smirks, and I scowl at him.
“Something you want to tell us?” The eldest Jagger brother pins me with an icy look
.
“Lighten up, Ace. Hadley knows better than to get tangled up with Cole.”
“Yeah, Hadley, baby.” Conner moves closer, throwing his arm around my shoulder. “You should stick with me.”
“Conner,” I warn.
I like him. I like the way he makes everything so easy. But he isn’t Cole. He doesn’t ignite the fire inside me. And God, it feels wrong to be sitting here, getting close to him when Cole is in the house.
“Where the fuck have you been?” Ace barks as the door opens. I don’t have to turn around to know it’s him. I feel him, feel his ice-cold glare drill into the back of my head.
“Look who I found.” Conner smirks at his twin, and I shrink into his side.
“Whatever, man.” Cole stalks to the refrigerator and pulls out a beer, leaning back against the counter.
“Did you speak to Coach?”
“Yeah. He wants me back at practice tomorrow.”
“Good.” Ace nods. “We draw a line right here. What’s done is done. Charlie is gone—he can’t hurt us anymore.”
My eyes flicker to Cole, but he’s wearing a mask of indifference.
“So we’re agreed? We go to school, keep our heads low, and get through senior year.”
“Sounds good to me.” Conner relaxes back against the couch, pulling me with him.
“And this...” Ace gestures between us. “Do I need to be worried?”
“Relax, we’re just having some fun.”
“And you?” He motions to Cole.
“Ace,” Remi says, laying a hand on his chest. “Hadley is a big girl. I’m sure she can handle herself.”
I offer her an appreciative smile. “Conner’s right,” I add, pressing my hand to his chest. “It’s just a bit of fun.”
“Hell yeah.” Without warning, Conner nuzzles my neck and soft laughter bubbles inside me.
“Fuck this,” Cole grumbles. “I’ll be in my room.” He stalks out of the pool house, letting the door slam behind him.
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Ace says to Conner.
“Who, me? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“The last thing we need is a girl coming between the two of you.”