Chapter 41
The Turncoat
Jack
It took me most of the night to track him down, but I did it. If I didn’t know where to look, I might have missed him. I get why he’d help Sidney. Especially if she offered him something sexual.
I stand next to the school entrance I know he takes. My hands tremble from the amount of caffeine I’ve had. If I can figure out what this guy wants, I might be able to make him work for us instead. That way I can hand over shit to him and it won’t all rest on my shoulders.
I won’t be the one holding back our future. And I won’t tank my own future in the process.
“Hey, brah.” Michael Cook holds out his hand and we do a special handshake. He leans against the wall next to me. Fuck, he’s not supposed to be here. “It’s been quiet for a while. All good on your front?”
I raise an eyebrow at him, but smirk. “Yeah, we’re all good.”
We haven’t been using the football guys like we normally do. We can’t trust them. Any of them. Maybe we need to set up some fool’s errands so they don’t get suspicious. Especially the ones who are working for the others.
“It’s been quiet. Focused on my girl.” I shrug and glance toward the parking lot. I really don’t want Mike here when I confront this guy. Mike tends to go overboard with the intimidation, which is excellent on the football field and when we need someone to be the heavy, but this shit is delicate.
“That’s good.” He nods and looks around. “Don’t you usually hang out on the other side of school?”
“Change of scenery.” I draw in a breath. “Good for the soul.”
“I get you. I get you.” He bobs his head in a nod, but he clearly doesn’t. “You know if you need anything, I’m still your guy. I know you got a girl now, and she’s all your priority, but I don’t mind getting my hands dirty if it helps.”
Yeah, fuck. “Look, Mike. I got to be honest. I’m doing a little recon over here, but it would really help me out if you can tell me what the fuck Tanner Lewis is up to these days.” Clapping him on the shoulder, I give it a squeeze. “You’d be doing me a solid.”
“Yeah, man.” Mike smiles. He’s like a fucking golden retriever. Mastermind of none, but definitely a willing follower. We just can’t be sure he’s still following us. “Sure thing. I’ll text you what I find out.”
Mike heads inside. Besides, it can’t hurt to know what Tanner is up to. The fact that we didn’t know about his connection with Zach left me feeling like a fool. I’m supposed to know this shit. But if I don’t sleep, my brain gets a little tangled.
Fortunately, the guy walking toward the building with his head down is exactly the guy I need to talk to to help me get untangled. I wait until he’s even with me before I step out from the wall.
“Will Frank, just the guy I was hoping to find.” I wrap my arm around his shoulders before he can jerk away. His black-rimmed glasses slide down his nose and he pushes them back up. I’ve got an inch or two on him, but he’s not a short guy.
“What do you want?” His tone is suspicious. Fuck, I can’t say that I blame him. We haven’t built a reputation by being good little boys. I’d be more curious if he’d been more confident.
“You have something I want. I just need to figure out what makes you tick.” I lead him into the building and to his locker.
His eyes narrow at the fact I know where his locker is. “I don’t have money.”
My brow furrows. “What makes you think I want your money?”
“Isn’t that what bullies want?” He shrugs as he puts his backpack in his locker, watching me the whole time. “Lunch money?”
I laugh, because fuck, that’s cliché. “Dude, I have all the money I need. I don’t need yours.”
His head bobs in a sort of nod before he grabs his first period books.
I lean against the locker next to his. “See, I’ve found this little bug...”
His eyes widen, but he tries to remain stoic like he doesn’t know I’m talking about computers.
“But it’s been difficult to trace. Normally, I’d just send an exterminator after it.
But see, here’s the tricky part, Will.” I smack the back of my hand on his shoulder lightly.
He flinches at the push, but doesn’t get upset.
“I find I need a bug so I thought to myself: What might a bug want that I can give him?”
Will tips his eyes up to me and straightens his glasses again. He closes his locker. “Why would you give the bug anything?”
“See that’s where you come in.” I put my arm around his shoulders and lead him down the hallway. Some people watch in fascination, wondering what the fuck I’m going to do to poor Will Frank. Others scurry away, afraid of the backlash.
“I’m not sure how I can help you, Jack.”
I scan the hallway. Yeah, too busy. I pull him into a dark classroom and turn on the light.
Will backs away from me, giving himself some space. “Look, I don’t know what you’re after—”
“Time, Will. I need fucking time and someone who’s almost as smart as me to do what I don’t have time to do.” I cock my head to the side and narrow my eyes. “While I love a good game of cat and mouse, these analogies aren’t getting us anywhere.”
Will swallows.
“I’m fairly certain you helped Sidney Brown break into my security system. I also know you’ve been trying to ride my ass into my webcam sessions with my girl and into my system.”
His head shakes and he rubs his hand on his pants.
“I’m not coming at you looking for a fight.” I lean back against the door and cross my arms. “That’s not my style.”
“Yeah, right.” His gaze darts around, looking for an escape.
“If I wanted to pound you, I would have done it in the hallway. You see, doing it in front of other people really gets the message across faster.” I step away from the door.
“You obviously know people are coming after us and our girl. What I’m here to offer is whatever they’re giving you, we can do better. ”
His mouth opens and closes as he thinks about what I’m saying.
“You tell me what you want and I’ll do what I can to get it for you.
” I let my arms hang at my sides, trying to be less intimidating.
“I haven’t told the others you were the one who let someone in to get to our girl.
They may not be as forgiving as I am. I’m giving you a chance, but this is a one-time offer. ”
He looks down at his books.
“Caden got pretty enraged at the last guy who came at his girl.” Rubbing my jaw, I sit in a chair and prop my feet on the desk. “You’ve got five minutes before the bell rings and the offer is off the table.”
He lifts his gaze to mine and I can see the shrewdness in his. “What if I can’t do what you need me to do?”
“I’ll teach you.” I shrug like it’s that fucking easy.
“Why don’t you teach them?” He jerks his head to the door.
“Because I’d have to start at ground zero or a little above. You’ve got the knowledge, I just need to focus it.” I put my hands behind my head. “Four minutes.”
“Hold on. What do you mean by what I want?” He’s suspicious and curious. Good.
I smirk. “Name your price. You need money? You need popularity? You need a girl? Grades? College acceptance? You tell me what you want and I’ll get it for you.
Within reason, of course. I can only do so much.
Consider me your genie. I won’t kill anyone or make anyone love you and no wishing for more wishes. You get one ask.”
Will glances at the door like he’s considering leaving, but something in him becomes resolved. His lips tighten and he turns to me instead and takes a step in my direction.
“There is something I want.”
I grin and kick out the chair across from me. “Let’s make a deal.”
Harper
Lunch isn’t pleasant. Zach and his crew are all at the table next to ours, acting like he didn’t discuss how he was going to rape me last night.
In art class, Tanner acted like I was beneath him, which suited me just fine.
Caden keeps me on his lap as we eat and the guys discuss the upcoming game. We need to keep up appearances, but we’re also aware people are listening.
Jack keeps glancing over at the girls’ table where Penny, Nat, Izzy, and Vicky sit. The other girls don’t quite preen at his attention since he put Becca in her place.
So far the day has passed pretty uneventfully, but I’m not looking forward to whatever talk is waiting for me when I get home. Mom came out of the classroom looking pensive. Luke had his arm around me as we leaned against the lockers waiting.
Her gaze went to Luke’s arm around me before she said she’d see me tonight.
Not looking forward to that at all.
“Hey.” Caden’s voice is soft in my ear. A little shiver races through me. I turn and meet his green eyes. “You want me to go beat him up for you?”
I follow his gaze to Zach as he eats his burger with his gloating eyes on me. What a fucking asshole. I lean into Caden’s ear. “Not today, but maybe tomorrow.”
His hand curves over my jean-clad hip. Today wasn’t a day I wanted to be exposed, so I’m wearing jeans and one of Luke’s sweatshirts he left at my house. It still smells like him and part of me really just wanted to feel him near me all day.
Caden tips my chin his way and our eyes lock. “He’s not getting away with it, little nympho. We’re just trying to be smart about it and not rush headlong into a battle neither of us will win. When we take him down, it will be completely.”
I touch his jaw. “I know.”
But honestly, I don’t see how. Sure, those guys aren’t quite the same level as the horsemen, but they hold power and sway over the student body. With whatever product they’re moving, this might be bigger than the school even. The balance might already be shifting.
Sidney turns Zach’s face her way, and she gives him an open-mouth kiss. When he draws her onto his lap, they begin to make out with some heavy petting. I shake my head and return my gaze to Caden.
He smirks. “We could do that if you like, little nympho. You want to show them how it’s done right?”
I lean in and press my lips to his chastely and then pull back. “I’ve already earned a slutty reputation. No need to keep feeding it.”
“Then let’s go find somewhere private to explore that reputation.” He slides his hand up the back of my sweatshirt, touching my bare skin, leaving a trail of sparks in his wake. “I miss being inside this tight little body.”
Heat floods me. Fuck, I miss him too. His eyes shine with triumph.
“Not today, War.” I glance over at the other table where Zach is still making out with Sidney, but watching me. A shiver of disgust flows through me. He’s using her, but isn’t she using him too?
Fuck, this is all so complicated.
“Come here, sweetheart.” Jack holds his hand out to me.
I kiss Caden and walk around the table. Jack tugs me down on his lap and his lips brush little flames along my ear.
“I have a plan, but I need your help.”
My eyes widen and I nod. Good. A plan is good. I can tell he hasn’t slept much. If we could risk it, I’d drag him back to my house and force him to take a nap. Somehow, I don’t think Mom would approve.
“How can I help?” I lean back so I can see his eyes.
He arches an eyebrow and gets this smirk like he’s going to suggest something, but then he sighs. “No time for that.”
I just shake my head a little, even though a smile creeps onto my face.
He glances at the girls’ table again. “I may have a way to get help, but it’s going to take a huge ask.”
I swallow and my insides burn for another reason. “No cheating.”
He chuckles and tugs me in against him. “Nah, sweetheart. I’m happy to have just you. This is about Penny.”
My eyebrows rise and I glance over at Penny as she talks with Nat. A guy comes over and squats next to them with a huge grin. He reaches out and touches Penny. She rolls her eyes and shakes her head.
Nat turns red and even though I can’t hear her, it’s clear that she’s angry.
The guy stands and holds his hands up, backing away.
“What do you need me to do?” I turn back to Jack.
“It’s time to see how good of an ally and friend she really wants to be.”