Page 69 of Revenge Puck

And the only way she could’ve talked to Maya was in the arena. She came, but she must not have been here for long. I know because I spent way too much time looking for her.

Preston:Okay. So, you were at the game? And talked to my sister, then left?

Elle:She told me that Finley is Christian’s son.

Oh fuck.

What was Maya thinking? I told her not to talk about that shit! I barely know Elle and my sister doesn’t know her at all. Yet, she just blurted out her most confidential secret to her within minutes of meeting for the first time?

Preston:She shouldn’t have told you all that, but now you know why I hate that asshole.

Elle:Yeah, I finally get it.And don’t worry, I will never tell anyone.

Again, I get the feeling there’s more to those words. That’s why I give up on texting and call her.

Elle

When my phone rings in the middle of texting with Preston, I debate whether to answer it. But if I just start ignoring him, I’m no better than Christian.

“Hi, Preston,” I say, my voice heavy with reluctance.

“I thought you would sound happier since your Bobcats won tonight.”

Did they? I haven’t even turned the television on or looked at updates on my phone. I just walked around D.C. for hours, lostin my thoughts. I went so far, and my feet hurt so bad that I had to get an Uber to come pick me up to get me back to the hotel.

“I’m sorry the Warhawks lost,” I tell Preston. “Did you get to play the whole game?”

“I did.”

Whew. That’s a bigger relief that I expected it to be. If he had been thrown out, I would’ve blamed myself. Would Preston have blamed me, too?

“Losses happen,” he adds. “We’re still ahead in the series, so that’s all that matters.”

“That’s true.”

“Why did you leave the game so early, Elle?”

“I…I just went to get air and ended up walking.”

“You walked alone at night in D.C.? Are you crazy?”

“It was fine,” I hedge.

“What’s up with you, Elle? Why did you come all the way to D.C. and not stay to watch the game?”

Squeezing my eyes shut, I blurt out the conclusion I came to during my long stroll. “I don’t think we should keep up the fake relationship.”

There’s a long pause before Preston says, “Why not?”

“Because…because now I know why you hate Christian, and I’ve got this secret to keep from everyone. It’s all just too much.”

“I’m sorry Maya put that burden on you. She shouldn’t have told you. I can’t believe she trusted you enough to run her mouth.”

“I won’t say anything to anyone,” I assure him.

“I know you won’t.”

“Good,” I say, glad that he trusts me that much. “Then, I guess this is goodbye.”

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