Harper
I’m mentally not ready to go to school today. Kenz stayed with me and Penny last night at Caden’s. We took turns making sure she was okay and getting her to drink water to help flush the drug out of her system. We don’t know if that was the right thing to do, but it seemed logical.
After we all passed out, someone must have snuck in and carried me back to Caden’s room. I woke cuddled between Caden and Luke. It’s the best feeling in the world to be theirs. If my mom’s contact comes through, I don’t know where I’ll be sleeping tonight.
We stop at a drive through for coffee and breakfast. While Caden’s house would have provided, having three girls and an extra guy at the breakfast table would have gotten back to Caden’s parents.
They left the house to us. His mom said they had a meeting out of town. I hate driving them out of their home, but I’m grateful I don’t have to worry about them finding me now.
Ava took one look at all of us this morning and claimed she’d drive herself.
Caden passes the tray of coffees back to me, and I give Penny and Kenz theirs. Luke passes me the sack of breakfast sandwiches next.
“Thank you.” Kenz unwraps her sandwich and takes a bite before moaning. “Fuck, I needed this.”
Penny pushes her sunglasses up her nose and sips her coffee. When I offer her a sandwich, she covers her mouth.
“Not yet,” she whispers.
I rub her arm and meet Luke’s eyes as he watches me from the front seat. This could have been him this morning. Strung out after being high for hours. Who knows what he might have done with Sidney in that state.
My stomach turns. It wouldn’t have been his fault, but it would have cracked something inside me until I could find a way to reconcile it. But that didn’t happen. Penny took one for the team.
Of course, none of us knows what happened in that dining room while Luke was in the hallway with his father. Maybe it was all a sham to make us trust Penny.
I glance at Penny as I sip my coffee. She seems genuinely ill from the drugs. I don’t believe she’d do that to get in deeper with us for popularity. But she might do it to prove her loyalty to Luke.
Both girls wear clothes of mine from Caden’s dream closet. It’s the only time Penny’s eyes lit up this morning. Fortunately, we’re all about the same size. Penny has on jeans and a black t-shirt. Her blond hair is pulled into a low ponytail.
Her somewhat vacant stare remains fixed on the outside world. I don’t know what she’d do for popularity, but what she told us means she’ll do anything to have family.
Kenz nudges me with her arm. I turn, and she nods toward the front of the car. We’re almost at the school. Fuck.
The fields across from the stadium are being set up for tonight’s carnival. I’m not ready for this. Not ready for Zach to lead me around while I pretend to be okay with him touching me at all.
Maybe I should have told the principal about Zach’s attempted rape. A shiver rolls through me. The guys don’t trust anyone in authority, and I’m beginning to understand why.
Everyone in this town can be bought.
Even Mr. Wick, who I thought might be on my side.
“Everyone ready for Homecoming?” Luke asks, but it’s not with excitement. We’re basically waiting for whatever bomb Sidney and Zach are going to drop on us.
I swallow. I’m pretty sure I’m going to be the target. More now than ever.
I heard every word Luke said last night. He loves me and isn’t afraid to tell anyone. Probably not something Sidney will share though, because it makes her look weak. She isn’t the one who Luke loves.
“You have any problems. Let one of us know.” Caden pulls into a parking space and turns his gaze on Kenz and Penny. “We’ll protect you two, but we can’t if we don’t know what’s happening.”
Kenz nods and undoes her seatbelt. “Of course.”
Penny groans but nods. She’s slower to release her belt, but Luke opens the door for her. Her face softens as he holds his hand out to help her out of the car. She takes it. When she walks over to the sidewalk, he reaches for me.
He pulls me out and against him. I breathe him in and just let this be for a moment. One moment of peace before everything goes to hell.
I don’t want to walk into that school today. I want to say fuck it and run off. With my guys. There are a few places I know no one can find us. Instead, I draw strength from Luke and step away.
His blue eyes search mine for a moment before he takes my hand and leads me over to the sign. Caden’s already over there with Eli and Jack and...
“Nico!” I grin and hurry over to him when Luke lets go of my hand.
He has crutches and a huge brace on his leg. He smiles as I wrap my arms around his waist, careful not to topple him. “Hey, sunshine.”
I draw in his rain scent, and my insides buzz with happiness. We’re all together again. It makes me feel stronger.
I step away from him and look at the others surrounding us. My eyes return to Nico’s brown ones. “Okay, what do you need from me?”
He smiles and shakes his head indulgently. “The guys will carry my backpack. I just need you to be safe.”
“I can do that.” Probably. But it doesn’t matter. I smile anyway.
Luke steps up against my back and wraps his arm around my waist. I lean into him. My insides feel like they’re glowing. Yes, the worry is still there. The fear nudges at the back of my mind. But right now, I have all my guys standing with me.
And Mom is coming back.
I glance at my blank phone screen. She won’t contact me through it, but I’m hoping to get a notification of where I need to go tonight. I trust her to find us somewhere safe.
“It’s time to start making our moves.” Luke squeezes my middle, bringing me back to the present.
Jack meets Luke’s eyes. He’s still tired. He left with Eli last night after the others returned. “I’ll talk to Emma.”
“I’ve got Ashley.” Eli touches my arm. “I have to let her know that everything is set up for the Homecoming dance.”
He set up Ashley’s session that she needs with someone else.
What Eli likes to do. When all this is settled, we’ll need to work me up to where he needs me.
I can’t imagine letting him cane me, but it can’t be any worse than the belt was.
Heat blooms through me at the thought. The pain was intense, but the pleasure made it worth it.
“Sidney mentioned she’s doing drugs that Zach gives her.” I meet each of their gazes. “Most of those drugs don’t linger in your system forever, but she mentioned multiple drugs.”
Eli steps closer. “It’s possible, but not usually with a urine test. But if she’s using those drugs, she might be using others. Or have some on her. I can talk to Ashley about mentioning a random drug test to the coach.”
“Wouldn’t that seem a little too coincidental?” I glance at the doors to the school. The other students give us space as they pass us.
Eli smirks and brushes his knuckles over my jaw. “Don’t worry, kitten. We have ways.”
“Come on, we need to head in to class.” Luke releases me and takes my hand.
We walk to their lockers, and Jack helps Nico with his bag. I forget about all the other students watching us as we get ready for today. There will be an assembly at the end of the day and then the carnival will go on through the weekend. But we’ll be the ones on stage to open it.
I try to focus on my guys, but Zach walks by with his arm around Sidney’s shoulders. They both look our way as they pass. Zach throws a kissy face my way and then tugs Sidney closer to whisper in her ear.
She laughs and looks at me. Her green eyes glow with cold malice.
Caden turns me his way and kisses me gently, replacing the cold with his warmth. “We’ve got you.”
I release my breath, and when I look all I can see is their backs. Fuck. I hope we’ve got this.