Dangerous Little Secrets (Saint View High, #2)

by Elle Thorpe

“Why? Got other plans? Sucking Rafe’s dick tonight?” I glared at him. “Jealous?” “Completely.”

“Why do I have a feeling this is going to hurt?” He chuckled. “Nothing good comes easy, princess.” His gaze lingered on me, sweeping my body. “Trust me, I know all about fighting for what you want.”

He closed the distance between us, stopping about a foot away. He held his hands up, blue boxing pads covering them. I eyed them. “Am I supposed to punch you or something?” “Unless you’d rather make out?” I slammed one closed fist into his waiting palm. “Whoa. Okay. Wasn’t expecting you to have any power, but that wasn’t bad.” I smiled sweetly. “I imagined it was your face.”

“I don’t want a gun. I won’t shoot anyone. Not even Owen.” “And you don’t have one. What you have is a movie prop that might save your life one day. Even if it only buys you a minute, that’s a minute you wouldn’t have otherwise, right? You pull that gun, and you get yourself out of the situation before he realizes it’s not real. It’s small enough to fit in your purse, so carry it everywhere.”

A single tear dripped down my face, the culmination of terror and relief mingling. “I hate you,” I choked out. For half a second, I thought I saw disappointment dull Colt’s eyes. But then his hard determination was back. “I don’t care.” The words ground out from between his teeth. “I’m not here to be your friend. I’m here to teach you how to save your life.”

“Doesn’t it? I’ve been thinking it over. They went to college together. Presumably, they had all the same classes since they both went on to do the same job. Yet your uncle landed at Providence, with that beautiful big historical school to reside over, and a gorgeous wife and big house in the nicest part of town…” “While your dad landed at Saint View…”

“My father isn’t a good man.” He paused, the silence hanging over us cold and laced with tension. “I think he’s capable of anything.”

“I’m good with whatever you want. If that means we bring Colt in on this, then…actually, that’s kinda hot.” I kissed him back then laughed against his lips. “You kinky fuck.” He grinned and kissed me harder. “I know. I’ve got issues.” “I like your issues.”

Meredith waved a hand around like that was unimportant. “Spill it. What’s been happening with Banjo and Rafe?” “And Colt,” Jagger added. Meredith stared at Jagger, then back at me, her mouth forming an O shape. “No! You added a third guy to your love…square?” She shook her head. “Damn, Lace. I didn’t think you had it in you.”

“Get your head in the game,” a gruff voice came from my side. Rafe stared across the field at the other team, who were doing the same thing we were, warming up and taking in the crowd. “They’re good. And they know those scouts are here, too. You think they don’t want it as bad as you do? You’re wrong. Stop thinking about Lacey and start thinking about your future.”

“She is my future,” I said quietly. Rafe glanced at me. “I’m in love with her, Rafe. That hasn’t changed.” He blew out a long breath and nodded. “She’s easy to love.” “So are you.” He looked at me sharply. I shrugged. “It’s written all over your face. Tell her how you feel. She might feel the same way, you know.” “Is it that obvious?” “Only to me. I’m your best friend.” “Were.”

“Still here, Rafe. Still want your friendship.” I darted a glance around, checking there was no one else in earshot. I dropped my voice. “Still want you.” Rafe sucked in a deep breath. “Don’t fucking do this now.” He was right, my timing sucked. “After the game? I’m taking Lacey out, to talk. Yo...

The ref blew the whistle, cutting our conversation short. Then the game of my life started, and I had no time left to co...

“Okay fine,” I agreed. “He’s amazing. And I’m falling for him hard. But there’s something missing between us.” “And that something is Banjo?” “I think so.”

“They want me,” he whispered in my ear. I pulled back as he put me down and I stared at him with wide eyes. “Are you kidding?” His grin was ear to ear. “Not even for a second. He said he’s had his eye on me since last year and if I keep playing the way I did tonight, then to expect an offer from him to play ball at ESU next year.”

“Where’s Banjo? We need to get this thing on the road so we can take our girl home.” My heart tripled in size. I tugged his hand. “Do you want that back? The three of us?” Rafe nodded. “I’m too happy to be angry anymore. Are you, though? Still angry?” I shook my head.

“I wanted to say I’m sorry.” I stared at him for a long moment and then went to the window, lifted one of the slatted blinds, and peered out. “What are you doing?” “Checking to see if pigs are flying.”

His kisses were everything. The sun and the moon and the stars, all rolled into one fiery ball of heaven. Or maybe of hell. I had no idea. But it felt wicked. Kissing him in this way would send me straight to the Devil’s court.

“You sure your parents weren’t hippies? You’ve got a very ‘free love’ sorta attitude.” He laughed. “Have you met my dad?” “Unfortunately.”

“I don’t want what he has, you know? I don’t want some rigid life and a woman too afraid of her own shadow because I’m an overbearing prick. If Colt and Banjo make you happy, then that’s what I want for you.” I lifted up onto my toes and brushed my lips over his. “You blow my mind.” “If we go home, I’ll blow your mind in other ways.”

Then he spilled it all. All the details of how the scouts had rejected him on Friday night. Of how Augie’s business involved more than small-time drug dealing. My mouth gaped when he told us about the prostitution and what Augie had been wanting him to do.

Rafe swore low under his breath. “Why the hell didn’t you tell us?” “What did you want me to say? Hey, my brother fucks women, and sometimes other men, for money to pay our bills? And that he’s pushing me to do it, too?”

“I wouldn’t have judged you. I would have fucking helped you.” “How? No one can help me out of this. Augie is right. I’m an adult. I can’t expect everyone to take care of me all the time.” Rafe got to his feet and stormed the space between them, leaning down until they were eye to eye. “Bullshit. You’re my brother. You always have been. Don’t fucking shut me out.”

Rafe’s eyes burned with hurt. Banjo’s with shame. A growl of frustration came from Rafe’s chest. “Don’t you fucking know I love you? Lacey loves you. You come to us. We’re your family. We’re the people you rely on.”

Banjo stared. “I thought I’d blown it with both of you. I didn’t even mean to come here. I just got on my bike and rode.” Rafe fisted his fingers in Banjo’s shirt and shook him roughly. “You fuckhead. I was mad. That doesn’t mean we’re finished.” He dropped to hi...

A lump rose in my throat at their kiss. It was softer and sweeter than the last time I’d seen this happen. They held each other tight, fingers punishing in their grip on each other. My heart ached. They were soul mates, these two. There was no denying it, seeing the two of them like this.

I watched in silence. There were words I itched to say. Plans I wanted to make to fix this for Banjo. I could help. But I couldn’t help with the two of them. They needed to fix their relationship for themselves. That kiss was the first step.

“There was something I never got to tell you, that night of your birthday. And I’ve hated myself every day since. I love you, Lacey. I have this entire time. I never stopped. I’m so sorry, baby. I’m so sorry I hurt you.”

I pressed my fingertips to his arm. “Wasn’t you.” His nod was slow and reluctant. “But I put you—both of you—in that position.” Rafe snorted on a laugh that broke the tension. “From memory, it was a pretty enjoyable position.” I blinked at him. “You did not just go there.” He grinned and brushed his lips over mine. “Yeah, princess. I did.”

He was so beautiful. And he was mine. Ours.

I missed you. I love you. I’m not leaving again.

If someone had told me a few months ago that I’d be watching my best friend fuck the girl I was falling for, I would have called you crazy.

I was so not straight. Someone needed to pass me a bisexual label and I’d wear the fucking thing with pride.

“Thank you,” he whispered, in between hard presses of his mouth. I pulled back, a question in my eyes. “For her. For letting me have her.”

Lacey fell to her knees and worked the buttons on my jeans. I glanced down at her, but then Banjo was kissing me again, and I fell into his touch, kissing him back just as hard, our mouths moving in slow, slick slides that had my balls aching. Lacey yanked my jeans down, and then her hot wet mouth covered my erection, and I groaned at the sensation.

I loved fucking from behind. Loved how deep and raw it was. I did want to make love to her. To lay her down, have sex with her face-to-face, and confess all the feelings I harbored for her. But now wasn’t that moment. Not with my dick begging to be let loose and the deep instinctual need I had to make her scream.

Maybe it was because I’d watched her have sex with my best friend. I was still a competitive guy. And a part of me did want to one-up the orgasm she’d had with him.

“I’m so done,” she murmured. “I think I saw Jesus.”

Banjo sprawled back on the floor, gazing up at us with a cocky smile. My eyes met his, and we both grinned. “Good?” he asked. I chuckled at the smug prick. He knew very well how good it was. “Anytime you want to grab my balls, Banjo, go right the fuck ahead.”

“The tint is so dark, how could you even know?” Aria gave an annoyed huff. “I’m homeschooled. I spend a stupid amount of time staring out these windows. I could run the Neighborhood Watch. If we had one.”

“I see you’re as pussy-whipped as those other two. What the fuck has Lacey Knight got between her legs that’s got you, Rafe, and my brother all panting over her? Gold spray out of her cunt when she comes?”

I woke to Banjo kissing my lips and Rafe’s mouth between my thighs.

Selina cast her eye around my room and then focused on a spot on the floor. I died a thousand deaths when I noticed one of the guys’ underwear.

Selina patted my shoulder. “Banjo?” she called. “Can you come out of the bathroom, please? I want to speak with you.”

The bathroom door cracked open, and Banjo’s beautiful green eyes shone out over a cheeky smile. “Hey, Sel.” She raised one eyebrow. “We’re on a nickname basis now, a...

Well, this was embarrassing. But at least she didn’t know about— “Tell Rafe to come out, too. Little point hiding in there after the racket the three of you made last night.” Kill. Me. Now.

Rafe came out wearing an identical towel to Banjo. “So, I can explain…” Selina raised one eyebrow in my direction. “I’m old and widowed but not stupid, sweetheart. You don’t need to explain.”

“If this is the safe-sex lecture, we’re good on that front,” Banjo piped up. “I think we used a whole box of condoms last night.” Rafe snorted on his laughter while I just stared at Banjo in horror. “What? We did.”

Selina blew out a breath that lifted her bangs ever so slightly. “While I’m very glad to hear that, because I have no interest in being a grandmother at my age, that’s not what I wanted to talk about. I heard you last night—” I groaned at the reminder. Selina shot me a look. “Let me rephrase. I heard you talking last night, when you were downstairs.”

She turned to Banjo, her expression becoming serious. “What your brother wanted you to do…” Banjo dropped his gaze to his lap. “It’s fine, Mrs. Knight. I can handle it by myself.” Selina shook her head. “You shouldn’t have to. There’s no one watching out for you.” “I am,” I said quietly. “Me, too,” Rafe chipped in. Banjo glanced at both of us. I picked up his hand and threaded my fingers between his. “Well, now I am, too,” Selina said, emotion clogging her voice.