LOGINThe door beeped open, and Michael stepped in slowly, doing a sweep of the place with his eyes. It seemed empty. Was she not in? But he hadn't seen her step out, so she was probably in. He closed the door and finally stepped in fully, taking off his coat and throwing it on the couch. He looked around for any trace of her, and it was everywhere. It almost felt like she owned the place. He walked slowly to the center table, where a picture caught his eye. He stared down at the picture, his jaw clenched. It was a picture of both of them, and the way she was looking at him, smiling softly and sweetly, made Michael sick to his stomach. She had never looked at him like that, even though he had been here before that bastard. Sure, he left for four years, but that wasn't long enough for her to completely erase him from her life. He had been trying to be patient, really. He was trying to be soft and do things logically, but it wasn't going anywhere, so he decided to do it his way, and it w
“Mr. M'Call, what do you have to say about your relationship?”“Mr. M'Call, was she really your stepsister?”“Mr. M'Call, are your parents divorced?” “Mr. M'Call, what–”I managed to drive back into the garage, but that did nothing to quiet the voices. I staggered out of my car, not bothering to turn it off or shut the door. I could still see the cameras flashing in my eyes. I could feel their stares, their hunger to know what happened, not because they saw us as human beings, but as the next big story. I was panting, my vision blurry, my knees trembling so hard I had to find a spot and rest my back on it. I slid down until I was sitting on the floor, fisting my hair. “Fuck.” I have always avoided the cameras, the headlines, and prying. “Fuck, fuck.” I avoided interviews and shows because I just wanted to play hockey. I just wanted to be on the ice where I could breathe. I didn't need the fame, the cameras, the shine. I didn't want to be known. I didn't want the paparazzi at m
JACKSON“ONE DAY AFTER PARENTS’ DIVORCE: HOCKEY STAR, JACKSON M'CALL, CAUGHT IN FORBIDDEN ROMANCE WITH STEPSISTER.” “FROM STEPSIBLINGS TO LOVERS? JACKSON M'CALL’S SHOCKING ROMANCE EXPOSED.” “HOCKEY’S GOLDEN BOY HAS A SECRET, AND IT COULD COST HIM EVERYTHING.” “Finally, the man has a girlfriend!!! Have you SEEN the way he looks at her?! That man is GONE. FINISHED. COOKED!” “Sorry, but I don't care if the parents divorced yesterday or ten years ago. How can you look at your stepbrother and go, ‘Yes, that's the one.’” “Siri knows what she’s doing. Don't tell me she can't find ONE other man on campus.”“Not y'all blaming the girl when JACKSON IS A GROWN MAN WHO CAN MAKE HIS OWN DECISIONS. Leave her alone, bullies!”“His agent is probably having the worst morning of his life.” “I DON'T CARE WHO HE DATES. I CARE ABOUT THE UPCOMING SEASON. JACKSON, PLEASE DON'T LET THIS GET INTO YOUR HEAD.”“WAIT. Her father has been married FIVE TIMES???? And Jackson’s mother just divorced him???? Tha
“So… so you're telling me that he cut off the dicks of those three bastards that… did that to you four years ago?” I nodded, and he stared at me. He blew out a breath, rubbing a hand on his face. Maybe it wasn't even them. I mean, only pics of the dicks were sent, right? Maybe it wasn't even real. But I knew Michael. I knew that fucked up bastard, and I know it was real. I know it was them, but… why? Why do something like this when he was the one who set it all up? “He’s more dangerous than we thought,” Jackson muttered, his eyebrows furrowed, eyes staring into a blank space. He raised his head and looked at me, unease and worry filling his eyes. “Don’t leave the house without me. Please. Do you still have any exams left?” “Just one,” I answered, voice hoarse from crying.“Then I'll go with you. And I'll try to fix this. He needs to be locked up, and I'm going to make sure he never comes near you again.” I nodded, and he reached out for me, holding me, and I tried not to think ab
SIRIJackson was a mess. He looked the exact way I feel. He was shirtless, his hair a mess, sticking in every direction. His eyes were wide and cloudy, like a veil had been thrown over them. He could barely stand without leaning on the door. He smelled heavily of alcohol, and he had tiny cuts on his hand; even the hand that was bandaged wasn't spared. His stubble was growing into a beard, giving him this rough look.“Jackson…” I whispered, my voice shaking, my hands aching to reach for him. “Siri, what…” he muttered, his voice hoarse. His eyes dropped to my bag, to Lillian behind me. “What happened?”“I’ll let you two catch up,” she answered. I looked back to see her stepping back. She looked between the two of us, opened her mouth to say something, but then just shook her head as she turned. “Take care, you two.”I watched her walk away and turned to Jackson, who was still watching me. I cleared my throat. “Can I… uh, come in?” He stepped back. “Yeah, yeah. Sorry. I’m a bloody
SIRII dropped my phone like it was on fire, my eyes wide, bile rising to my throat. The phone landed on the carpet with a dull thud, the screen facing down, but I could still see it. I could still see the pictures so clearly in my mind, like they were displayed in front of me. I didn't want to open the message. I knew it wouldn't be anything good, but he'd never sent pictures, and I wanted to see what stupid thing it was before I blocked him and deleted him from every part of my life.I meant it when I said I wouldn't hesitate to end him the next time he showed up in front of me. The knife under my pillow was proof enough that I was utterly done. And I had reported him to the police. I had no evidence to show them because I deleted all our messages, which was so damn stupid. But I told the police. And I told my father and Lillian.For two days I lived on edge, worried about Jackson, and this monster sent to ruin my life. I never expected he would send pictures like this to me. In m







