Chapter 44
The Court
Luke
I step out of my bedroom at the same time Penny steps out of hers.
Her brown eyes flash to mine in near-horror, but I can’t care anymore.
It’s almost the weekend and I need to figure out how to make sure Penny doesn’t end up a target.
Especially if we’re taking off and leaving her alone on Saturday.
I don’t care what she does, but Harper will.
Wordlessly, we both turn and head to the dining room. Dad has decided we’re taking family meals together. Breakfast and dinner. More time to watch him be disappointed in me.
Penny draws in a deep breath before opening the dining room door and walking in. Maybe she’s learning that having our father isn’t better than not having a father.
“Good morning, Dad.” Her voice is cheery, but tight. She’s stopped hesitating when she says dad. He’ll appreciate that.
“Penny. Luke.” Dad looks up from his tablet and lifts his coffee cup to his lips.
We take our seats like dutiful children and the staff brings two plates of whatever Dad has decided we should eat for breakfast today. It’s his power play. He’s taking away our choice and keeping us under his control.
Omelet. Protein is good. I take a few bites, letting the silence settle over us, before I clear my throat.
My father lifts his hard gaze to me.
“I thought I might drive Penny to school instead of her taking her car.”
Penny straightens next to me, but I don’t turn to look at her. She can think whatever she likes, but this is just another chess move. I never take my gaze off my father’s.
“We have a pep rally and then the game tonight. Both of us have a party to go to. It just makes sense to take one car. And that way, you don’t have to worry about her being out on her own.” I’ve thought about this all morning while I got ready without Harper.
Because getting ready without Harper in the morning is fucked up. Sleeping with her every night and showering with her in the morning became a habit. One that I want to return to. I’ll share that shit with the others, but I hate that right now I’m not there.
College can’t get here fast enough.
But I have to deal with my father and newly discovered sister. Keeping Penny close means he can’t use her against me. It also means if he’s using her to get information, I’m making it harder for them to talk.
Penny seems terrified of our father. Which either means she’s too afraid to tell him anything or too afraid not to tell him everything. One works to my advantage. The other doesn’t. As far as I know, he only knows Harper is my girlfriend, not that I share her with my friends.
“I’m glad to see you taking an interest in your sister.” Dad doesn’t look up from his phone. “But don’t forget your other mission. We need to find that information.”
Penny looks confused, but doesn’t say anything. She’s not stupid. She seems to know when to keep her mouth shut. At least she has that going for her.
He must have something up his sleeve. Today, I have bigger concerns than my father’s twisted obsession. We need to get through Homecoming and whatever Zach’s group has planned for us or Harper.
I eat the rest of my omelet in silence while Penny does the same. When we both stand to go to school, my father clears his throat.
Holding my breath, I turn to him. What fresh hell is he going to rain down?
“Time away from the girl hopefully made her a little more needy. You should spend more time with her. We have things under control here, don’t we?” His eyes pin Penny in her spot.
She forces a smile. “Yes, Dad. We’ll be just fine.”
She could have sold it better without that slight tremor in her voice. Even if that were an option, I don’t think Harper would want me to leave Penny alone. Not here in this house.
“I’ll see what I can do.” I give him a clipped nod before motioning to the door at Penny.
She heads out and, once in the hallway, releases her breath. “I need to grab my backpack.”
“I’ll meet you at the car.” Pulling out my phone, I open the app Jack installed.
Me:
Bringing Penny to school
Caden:
I’ve got Harper
Nico:
Silent night
Eli:
The house should be all clear for Saturday
Jack:
We can leave after flag football practice with Coach
I open the garage and head to my car. Tonight’s game is a home game, meaning Harper doesn’t need to ride with Coach Turner. I’m wary of any adult who wants something from any of us. Especially an adult Jack fucked.
I sink into the driver’s seat and open the garage door. Penny hurries over and climbs into the passenger seat.
“Thank you for the ride.” Her voice breaks on ride.
I turn off my radio and back out of the garage before heading toward school. “This isn’t an olive branch. You’re doing us a solid for Homecoming, but you’ve also put yourself in the crosshairs by being my sibling.”
She nods and her gaze lingers on the passing houses.
“I don’t know what information you’re sharing with our father—”
“I’m not.” She sounds horrified, but he’s giving her a lot and that comes with a price. Even if she doesn’t realize that yet.
“Our father isn’t a loving and giving man. Anything he gives you is tied to a bomb waiting to go off.” I brake at the stoplight and turn to look at her. She doesn’t drop her gaze.
“I’m not feeding our father anything. The only reason I agreed to this is because he threatened my mother and I wanted you to finally know.” She wrings her hands. “I don’t trust him. He’s an asshole, but he’s family. He’s the only other person I have besides my mom.”
I grunt as I drive toward the school. If I didn’t have the guys, my father would be the only one in my life, which isn’t saying a lot.
“You need to find somewhere or someone to spend tonight and tomorrow night with.” I pull into the school parking lot. “Don’t go back to the house.”
When I park, her eyes are wary. “Why are you telling me this?”
I blow out a breath and run a hand through my hair. “I don’t know his plans for you yet, but I wouldn’t trust anything he tells you. He’ll dangle what you want in front of you and then snatch it away.”
My eyes find what I want. Harper.
She stands, leaning against Caden, talking to Jack. If my father ever figures out what she means to me...
“I’ll stay with my friends this weekend.” Penny opens the door. Her eyes meet mine and instead of the usual fear or wariness, determination fills them. “You don’t need to worry about me. Spend time with your guys and Harper.”
Harper
Luke was quiet and somber when he joined us this morning. He slipped his arm around my shoulders and I fell into his side. We went to our lockers and then the shortened classes because of today’s pep rally. Anxiety hangs on me all day until the end of the last period.
The gymnasium bleachers are filled with students, chatting with their friends, waiting for the pep rally to begin.
It’s almost like a hush has fallen over the whole school as we wait to see who will be announced on the Homecoming court. I really hope Ashley was wrong. I don’t want to be on the court. I have no business being on the court.
The only claim to fame I have is fucking the most popular boys.
“Huh.” I sit next to Kenz on the bleachers. The guys are down front for the pep rally.
“What?” She turns and lifts an eyebrow.
“I just realized most of the popular girls are popular because they were fucking the horsemen.” My eyes narrow as I try to come to terms with it.
“Or the horsemen fucked them because they were popular.” Kenz bumps my arm with hers. “What’s going on in that mind? Worried about being nominated?”
A little shiver rushes through me. “Never thought I’d have to worry about that.”
She smiles. “It’s not like you’ll have to worry. Your escort is most likely going to be a horseman. They get nominated every year.”
My brow furrows. “What happens if I get nominated and one of the cheerleaders doesn’t get her spot?”
Will they get mad or even? Or is it part of their plan?
“Fuck ’em.” Kenz grabs my hand as the cheerleaders run and tumble their way onto the gym floor. “They chose the wrong team to back this time.”
I swallow as the girls perform a quick cheer before running to sit in front of the football players. The student council president, who happens to be Parker Ford, stands at the microphone and clears her throat.
“I hope you all participated in voting for this year’s nominees to the Homecoming court. We have a great spirit week scheduled for next week, including bringing back the bonfire on Thursday night.”
Some whoops accompany the clapping from the student body. Meanwhile, I think I’m going to be sick. This is ridiculous. There’s no way those girls would give up the chance to wear a crown to get back at me.
They have popular guys to fuck. They don’t need mine.
Caden glances back over his shoulder. He finds me and I can feel that swell in my heart. He smirks and returns his attention to the stage where the president has been listing off all the themes for next week.
“Okay.” She pauses and grins. “What everyone has been waiting for... the Homecoming court.”
She waits for the smattering of applause to die down. She announces the underclassmen first. The freshmen look so fucking young.
The sophomore class gets announced and Zoey Turner and Logan Price join the freshmen on stage. Zoey grins up at Logan and punches him in the arm. He smirks down at her.
I don’t really recognize the names of the juniors.
Then she pauses.
“Now for the couples who will be paired for the Homecoming activities until the announcement of the Homecoming King and Queen at the game next Friday!” Her smile is huge and her blond ponytail swishes behind her. “Okay, first up, Sidney Brown and Luke Foster.”
Sidney stands and pretends to be surprised, but comes up on stage and takes the flowers from the vice president with a huge grin. Luke rises and follows at a more sedate pace. The football team stomps the ground while the cheerleaders yell.
Luke steps next to her, but doesn’t touch her as his gaze finds mine. So many times he’s been up on that stage and smirking, proud of himself. But this time, all I see is worry for me. I smile and clap for him, even as my nerves try to get the better of me.
“Ashley Kim and Eli Jacobs.” Everyone goes crazy again.
Ashley doesn’t look surprised as she takes the flowers and glances Eli’s direction before facing front.
Eli bumps fists with Luke before taking his place beside Ashley.
So far, so good. Not that I’m enjoying seeing my guys paired up with the girls they used to fuck, but it’s better than having all those eyes on me.
“Emma Garcia and Caden Ross.” The same level of applause, but people in the crowd turn to talk to each other. Emma and Jack usually get paired together.
My stomach churns. One name left. Hannah. Come on. She would be pissed if anyone took her place.
“Harper Davidson and Zach Gray.”
My heart stops and Luke moves to step forward but Sidney grabs his arm and talks through her smile at him.
“Go on,” Kenz says. “We’ll deal with it after this. But everyone is looking at you.”
I don’t think my knees will work, but I stand and work my way down the steps to the floor and cross to the stage. The noise is muffled like I have noise-cancelling headphones on. My heart beats faster than a hummingbird’s wing as the vice president smiles and hands me a small bouquet of flowers.
He points to where I need to stand and I move there. Caden brushes the back of his hand against mine, jolting me back to reality, making time speed back up.
Then Zach climbs the steps. Is this his plan? Or the cheerleaders’?
He moves into the spot next to me.
“Your Homecoming court!” Parker steps away from the microphone, clapping while everyone applauds.
Someone takes our picture. I’m sure I’m pale and look like I’m about to faint. Caden’s warmth next to me steadies me a little.
Zach leans down and whispers, “You’re all mine now, darling.”