“That was your angle all along, wasn’t it?”

“Sure was.” He glanced at his watch, smile fading. “Oh shit. I really do have to go, or I’ll be late for practice.” Tipping forward, he gave me a quick peck on the lips and released my waist. “We can talk tonight. I’ll text you the door code too.”

As he jogged down the steps, I unlocked the door and pushed it open. Please don’t let anyone else be home.

No such luck.

Jillian was standing in the entryway, putting on her coat as I walked in. I slid off my shoes and brushed by her, ignoring her presence completely.

“Bailey,” she said, voice tight. “Can we talk for a minute?”

My entire body tensed. I was a pretty level-headed person overall, more prone to sweeping things under the rug and forgiving too easily than fighting. I rarely lost my temper, rarely even raised my voice, but this moment was incredibly close to becoming an exception.

Turning to face her, I made every effort to keep my voice level.

“Why?”

She straightened her shoulders, throat bobbing. “About what you said the other day. You’re not—you’re not going to tell anyone, are you?” She scanned my face nervously.

I shrugged. “You mean, besides Chase? Because he knows all about it.”

Keys in her hand, she froze on the spot, and the color drained from her skin. The look on her face was so horrified it was almost comedic. Someone she hated knew one of her darkest secrets. Poetic justice.

“But your brother…the team.” Jill gestured vaguely.

As if I would care about the team at this point.

“Yes, Derek is my brother, which is why I’m so upset. Otherwise, I wouldn’t really care about what sorts of shady things you got up to, Jill.”

She chewed on her bottom lip, expression turning guilty, but said nothing.

“Imagine how you would feel in my shoes,” I said. “This isn’t fair to him. To either of them.”

“It’s complicated.”

“So I’m told.” I hung my bag on the hook and turned, heading for the staircase. “As for telling anyone, I haven’t decided yet. Maybe you should make things easier on both of us. If you put an end to this messed-up situation, then I won’t have to make that call.”

It was an empty threat. I could never do that to Derek. But she didn’t need to know that.

* * *

By the time I got to the Callingwood Daily office after lunch, my annoyance with Jill had faded, and I was back to cloud nine over Chase. It really was a wild experience. I’d never felt this way before. Ever.