Page 88 of Dead Girls Don’t Forget

“No.”

“You sure about that?”

“Yes.”

His eyes stayed on mine. “Then answer the next question.”

I already knew I wasn’t going to like it.

“What happens when you get to Thomas?”

He didn’t look away.

“What happens to Jackson?”

My grip tightened around the cactus pot. Because I didn’t know.

Janet sighed softly. “Brian.”

“What?” he asked.

“You know exactly what.”

We reached the car. Across the parking lot I saw Jackson jogging toward us. Brian followed my line of sight and his jaw tightened.

Jackson closed the distance quickly. “Sorry. Coach cornered me.”

“Of course he did,” Janet said brightly, pulling him into a quick hug. “It was lovely meeting you, sweetheart.”

“You too, ma’am.”

Brian and Jackson shook hands again. Then Brian turned toward me.

“Take care of yourself, Harper,” he said, eyes holding mine a beat longer than necessary.

They climbed into the truck. Brian started the engine, gave us one last nod, and pulled out of the parking lot.

I stood watching the truck disappear. Jackson was quiet beside me. Too quiet. When I turned his eyes were fixed on the direction Blake had gone.

“Was that guy your ex?” His voice was low and rough.

“Blake? No. We weren’t dating.”

“But you slept together.”

“Sometimes.”

A muscle ticked in his jaw. He dragged a hand over his head and gripped the back of his neck. A low growl threaded through his breath.

“I don’t want him sniffing around.”

He was jealous. And I liked it far too much.

“Blake doesn’t want me for himself.”

“Of course he does. I can’t blame him. But I don’t like that he wants what’s mine. He’s not getting it.”

“He never implied he wanted something serious.”