Chapter 12
Preparing to Enter Enemy Territory
Harper
I stare at my face in the mirror as I apply eye liner. This will be my second party, and I hope to actually stay longer at this one. Nico ended up staying at practice with the others, but he texted me to say maybe tomorrow we can hang out, just the two of us.
Not sure that will be allowed, but it would be nice to catch up.
I don’t know what to think about the guys and what the Cheermonsters told me. It makes some sense that sex would keep them a little more chill. If denying them puts the whole student population at risk, who am I to hold out?
My life is so fucked right now. I can’t decide whether to give in to them or not. What is best for me, and what is best for the school?
“Harper?”
I step out into my room to see Mom at my door. “Come on in.” I wave her in as I go to the mirror in the bathroom to finish applying my makeup.
“So the party tonight is where?” Mom sits on the edge of my bed.
“It’s at Sidney Brown’s house.” I dig through my new makeup, searching for the perfect lipstick. The dark red stain. Definitely won’t smear.
“Two parties in one weekend. Are you a cool kid now?” Mom’s voice is tinged with laughter. “Did I raise a cool kid?”
“I’ve always been a cool kid. The others just figured it out,” I tease. I swipe on the stain and blot my lips.
“See, I knew you were a cool kid the whole time. That’s why I always hung out with you.” Mom’s brown eyes sparkle as I walk back into my bedroom.
“Did you want to load me up with more condoms?” Raising an eyebrow at her, I walk to my closet to pull out the dress I plan to wear tonight. I’m currently in an old button-down shirt and shorts. I’ve already straightened my hair to leave it down.
“If you’ve gone through all the ones I bought you, we definitely need to have a talk. Especially about UTIs.”
“Ew, Mom, no. I haven’t used any of them and I don’t plan to.
” Because apparently my mouth will work perfectly fine for the time being.
There’s no risk of pregnancy. I received copies of all the guys’ testing results as Luke promised.
She definitely doesn’t need to know the guys want to fuck me without condoms.
“I don’t want you to end up with more than you can handle because of some stupid teenage mistake.” Mom picks at lint on my bedspread.
I wasn’t a teenage mistake. Mom and Dad were married when they had me, even if they were still youngish, but it didn’t work out. Dad left us, and we’ve been fine ever since. I don’t even really remember a time with him in my life.
“Don’t worry, I won’t make you a grandma. I’m being safe and cautious. Last night, I didn’t even drink anything but a can of soda.”
Mom perks up and smiles. “See, that’s my smart girl. If your designated driver drinks, you can call me to pick you up.”
“Yeah, that’s what all the cool kids do. Call their moms to pick them up.” I give her a friendly eye roll. Pretty sure the guys are already planning another sleepover. Tingles creep down my spine. “How about I text you I’m staying if it comes to that?”
Mom’s eyes narrow but she sighs. “I suppose it was inevitable everyone else would realize you’re cool. I wouldn’t want to damage your new rep.”
“Thank you.” I take my dress into the bathroom and shut the door to change. It’s a black and red skater dress. Not as short as the skirt from the other day, but formfitting to the waist with a flirty swing skirt that reaches about mid-thigh.
When I come back out, Mom’s eyes widen. “May I interest you in a chastity belt?”
I laugh. “Not hardly.”
I sit beside her to pull on a pair of black Dr. Martens. “If anyone tries anything, I’ll just kick them in the junk with my boots and run.”
“Solid plan.” Her eyes pause on my collar. She reaches out and touches it. “You aren’t going to a BDSM party, right?”
I laugh so hard I bend over holding my stomach. When I can breathe again, I say, “No. God, no. It’s just an accessory, Mom.”
It could end up another sex party with me as the star, but I’m not about to say that. I still don’t know if I want to have intercourse with the guys yet. I’m just getting the hang of all the other stuff.
But there is a real possibility of me ending up back in Caden’s bed with all of them tonight. I’d pack an overnight bag, but that might be a push too far for Mom. And if I get myself grounded for real, Luke will dole out punishment. A shiver runs through me.
“If you get serious with one of these guys, I want to have him over, one-on-one.” Mom stands and slides her hands down her jeans.
“So I can inform him I know where every major artery is and how deep to cut. I also have a pharmacy worth of deadly drugs at my disposal. Though a needle of air to a vein might be less traceable.”
“I’m sure you’d scare any guy who wanted to date me.” Fortunately, none of them do. Well, maybe Nico would have, but he’s now one of my owners.
“You ever need me to make someone back off, say the word, Harper.” Mom puts her two fingers in front of her eyes and swings them to point at me and back.
“And what word is that, Mom?” I ask with a smile.
“Ah, honey, the word doesn’t matter. I’m here for you no matter what.” She looks me over. “Though maybe I should get you a Taser in case that future frat boy decides to get handsy.”
I shake my head as she heads down the hall. I don’t think a Taser would help me with Eli. He might get off on it. I keep thinking about the Cheermonsters and their offer to step in if needed. Was that a genuine offer or a threat?
Neither Kenz nor I could make heads or tails of it. I can’t really talk to the guys about it. But what if the girls are right? If it’s up to me to contain the horsemen, how am I going to do that as one girl?
Not that they were all that tame before me, but I don’t have any special hold over them. Except I’m not willing to share. And I’m still not. Especially with no condoms, but even with, I don’t want to have a guy who cheats, even if it’s not technically cheating because we’re not dating.
Ugh, they wanted a year; I wanted no straying. Of course, I hoped they would be appalled and back off entirely. But that didn’t happen, so I guess I’m going to have to step up. At some point. Probably not tonight.
I drop my lip stain into my purse along with some balm. I don’t know if all of them will use my mouth tonight, but I know Luke will. He has a point to prove.
As I step into the hallway, I hear a knock on the back door, and Mom opens it. I don’t even know who’s picking me up tonight.
The deep rumble of a male’s voice is the only clue I have as I hurry down the stairs.
“I didn’t know your last name was Ross. Like Emily Ross?” Mom says as I rush to intercept.
“That’s my mother, Jennifer.” Caden stands next to the door. He has on a black button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, showing off his massive forearms. His dark blue jeans are carpenter jeans that leave a lot of room in the legs. His black boots match mine.
He can’t help looking like a mean son of a bitch even dressed nice. He’s too big and too much of a presence.
“Hey, Caden,” I say to stop my mom from asking more questions.
Caden’s green eyes widen when he takes in my outfit for the night. Heat flows from them, and a blush creeps up my cheeks.
“So you get to take Harper to the party tonight? Without the rest of them?” Mom asks with her eyebrows arched. She’s going to freak out if they keep rotating like this.
“Yes, ma’am. We’ll meet them there.” Caden steps toward me. “You look amazing, Harper.”
Thank god he didn’t call me little nympho. Mom wouldn’t have let me leave the house ever again. Forget a chastity belt, she’d lock me in my room and throw away the key. She likes to think she’s okay with me being a sexual being, but I’m not sure she really is.
“We should get going,” I say to Caden. “Good night, Mom.”
“Have a good night.” Mom mumbles about a Taser on her way into the living room.
I walk up to Caden, intending to pull the door open.
“Did your mom just say she was buying you a Taser?” Caden whispers against my ear. Shivers wash down my back as his hands stop on my hips. The sparks whip up inside me.
“How else would I bring someone like you down to his knees?” I lean back so I can meet his eyes.
“All you have to do is ask, little nympho. I’ll go down on my knees for you anytime. Especially in that skirt.” His fingers start to lift it.
I slap my hand on his chest and glance over my shoulder to make sure Mom didn’t hear. “Let’s go before you get me in trouble.”
We go outside, and he opens the door to his Mustang. I slide onto the leather seat and wait for him to walk around the outside and get in.
“Fuck, little nympho.” Caden starts the car and throws it in reverse. “I’m going to be hard all night with you in that dress.”
“You say the sweetest things.” Giving him a fake smile, I shake my head at him.
“If you’re looking for sweet, you’ve got the wrong horseman.” His green eyes flash to mine as he shifts into gear and speeds down the street.
My heart races as he plows through our town like a man on a mission. I don’t know where Sidney lives, but I just hope we make it there alive at this point.
Caden slows when he turns into a residential neighborhood close to his own. Down the street is a house lit up with cars parked all around it. He parks a few houses away from the last car.
I unbuckle my seatbelt and prepare to get out when Caden’s hand wraps around my waist.
“Nah, little nympho. I need a taste before we go in.”
I swallow in the dark of his car and glance toward the party and people walking toward it. If any of them turn, they’ll see us. Hell, anyone at the party might notice Caden’s car sitting here.
Caden slides his seat back and pats his lap. “You know the position.”