Chapter 69
The Scapegoat
Harper
“I almost don’t want to turn it back on.” I meet Eli’s gaze in his rearview mirror. My phone feels heavy in my hand. “Before this school year, I could expect maybe two texts. Both from Kenz. Maybe one from Mom. Now I’m pretty sure my phone will explode when I turn it back on.”
I adjust myself in the backseat because I’m a little tender after our game. My cheeks flood with heat thinking about it. Every minute was worth it, but yeah, I’m going to need a nice long soak when we get back.
Luke’s phone buzzes steadily after he turns it on.
“This should be fun.” He shakes his head. “Just do it, princess. Get it over with.”
I take a deep breath and press the on button. It takes a moment for the phone to turn on and then the messages all appear at once.
“Did Penny text?” Eli asks.
I open the messages and scroll down to her contact. There’s a few messages there and in the group chat. “A couple.”
“Did she tell you about Sidney?” Eli glances at me in the rearview mirror.
I open the texts from Penny.
Penny:
Hope you guys are having fun. Party isn’t the same without you.
We need to talk about Sidney
Maybe you can tell Luke we need to talk
I don’t think he likes me
My chest loosens. “She said we need to talk about Sidney.”
“That’s not telling us what happened.” Eli keeps his eyes on the road.
“I guess we’ll find out when we talk to her.” I arch an eyebrow.
Eli just shakes his head. “You trust too easily, kitten.”
He’s probably right.
“Tell her we’ll talk tonight.” Luke doesn’t look up from his phone. I send off the text to Penny.
I open the group chat and see some pictures the girls took. They tell me about the parties on Friday and Saturday nights. Apparently, the party at Sidney’s was huge and attended by Zach. And even Tanner.
“Did you know Tanner was at Sidney’s party?” I ask Luke.
His brow furrows. “Do you have proof?”
I hand him my phone with the picture of Tanner shooting the shit with Zach.
“It’s time, Luke.” Eli gets off the interstate.
Luke nods and hands me back my phone.
“Time for what?” I open my message conversation with Kenz. She sent me a bunch of different emojis over the weekend.
“Time to make the queen bee pay for her transgressions.” Luke rubs the back of his neck.
“Does that mean releasing those videos to her college?” I scoot forward. “I don’t think what she’s done warrants taking away her future.”
Luke turns and searches my eyes. His eyes narrow. “No, we won’t take away her future, but she may need to stumble a little from her current spot at the top.”
“Ashley could take her spot.” Eli glances at me. “She’s much more logical than Sidney.”
My eyes narrow on Eli. Ashley was his off-and-on cheerleader fuck buddy. Is he playing favorites?
Eli glances at me and then turns down another street.
He releases his breath. “She’s almost clinical and emotionless.
Yes, she had some jealousy at the start of us, but she knows the rules now.
I’m yours, kitten. The only reason I bring her up is because Hannah is hot-headed and Emma is a follower.
The only one of the four who could topple Sidney is Ashley. ”
I soften and draw in a breath. “I wasn’t jealous.”
“But I could tell you were thinking it.” Eli pulls off into a parking lot and Jack’s car follows.
When he puts the car in park, he turns to look at me.
“The only one we want is you, Harper. You’re ours and we’re yours.
Ashley is a means to an end. Sidney needs to fall and someone will have to take her place. ”
“Unless you want to, princess.”
My horrified eyes go to Luke as I press back against the seat. “Me? No.”
Luke smirks. “Didn’t think so.”
“We’ll wait for Sidney to make her move with you. Maybe we’ll even let her win Homecoming queen before bringing her down.” Eli’s eyes glow with a dark light.
“Or let Ashley win.” I mean, it would definitely topple the queen bee or at least shake her. “That way she gets the attention Sidney craves.”
Eli’s smile grows. “That’s the way to think, kitten.”
“Where are we?” I look out the window and see a restaurant, the Red Barn. It’s not a chain and not anywhere close to where we live. We’re still miles from home.
“Doing some reconnaissance.” Luke opens his door. “You up to it?”
I nod, but I have no idea what I’m getting myself into. Luke gets out and opens my door, helping me out. I straighten my skirt. I changed from the one I had on. It was almost as wrecked as I was.
Luke draws me into him and kisses me. I sink into the feel of his mouth on mine as the others join us. We move as one to the door of the restaurant and walk in. After we’re seated, I lean in to Eli.
“Why are we here?”
Eli smirks and sits back. “Wait for it, kitten.”
I don’t understand, but I look over my menu. A young woman comes over to the table and takes our drink and food orders. I lean into Eli’s side as Jack takes my hand.
“How’s your knee?” Luke asks Nico.
“Not bad.” Nico grimaces. “Hopefully the surgery goes well tomorrow.”
I don’t like that we’ll be in class while he’s having surgery, but that’s just part of being a high schooler.
“Don’t push your healing.” Jack taps on the table. “You want to be able to play college ball, you have to come out of this unscathed.”
Nico nods. When he glances my way, I give him an encouraging smile. I’m almost glad we’re here instead of somewhere closer to home where people we know could watch us. It’s nice not to be the center of everyone else’s attention for once.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in.”
My eyes jerk up to the familiar voice, but the guy is unfamiliar. He has shaggy blond hair and brown eyes. A crooked smile that also seems familiar but I can’t place him.
“Can’t keep a good guy down now. Can I?” The guy focuses on Nico’s brace. “Sorry, man. How bad is it?”
“Bad.” Nico’s face reddens.
The guy rubs beside his lips. “You were a hard bastard to put down.”
The football player. He didn’t say anything to me, but I remember those eyes and that cocky grin. Caden stands up beside the guy.
The guy holds up his hands. “It was just a game, man.”
“How’s that new car?” Jack asks.
The guy smirks. “Didn’t take you long to catch on.”
“We need you to start talking.” Caden hovers over the guy. He has a few inches on him, but the guy doesn’t back down.
“Art.” He holds his hand out to Caden. “Name’s Art. Figure if I’m going to get cozy with you all, you ought to know my name.”
“Have a seat, Art.” Luke points to the chair next to Nico’s.
When Art sits, he spreads his legs and his arms are loose like he has no worries. Not the typical stance of someone facing the horsemen. It makes me curious.
“What do you guys want to know?” Art arches an eyebrow.
The server stops and drops off our drinks.
“Hey, Maureen, can you bring me a Coke?” He touches her hip with the backs of his fingers and looks up at her with a smile. “I’m taking my break.”
Maureen looks less than impressed, but she wanders off and brings back a Coke.
He takes a sip and puts it on the table. “So, is this about revenge? Because it was a football game. All’s fair and all that.”
“Not revenge. Yet.” Luke smirks. “We want to know why you went so hard at our guys on Friday. And who gave you that brand new car?”
Art trails his fingers over his lips.
“You know Zach Gray,” I say, drawing his attention.
He grins at me. “I do. Fucker is loaded, but likes to have his fingers in different schools.”
When Art checks me out, making me uncomfortable with his frank appraisal, Caden growls low.
“This is the little bird causing everyone trouble?” Art whistles and his gaze leaves me. “I expected a super model to walk in.”
“I used to think the same thing.” If he was hoping his indifference would phase me, he’ll be disappointed. I prefer it. I shrug.
Jack squeezes my hand. “How do you know Zach?”
His eyes glance at me before he returns his gaze to Luke. “We doing this? Because you all must know I can be bought.”
His smile is easy, but there’s a darkness in his eyes.
“We’re willing to pay for information.” Luke leans back in his chair. “Zach asked you to take out Nico.”
It’s not a question.
Art chuckles. “He wanted me to take out both your wide receivers.” Art’s gaze goes to Eli. “No hard feelings, but a new car is worth your discomfort.”
“He can’t play for the rest of the year.” Eli’s voice is cold.
Art shrugs. “Daddy’s got money. He’ll go further than I ever will.”
Nico looks like he wants to take the guy on, but Jack puts his hand on Nico’s shoulder.
“Besides, I was only supposed to injure you a little. Maybe a twisted ankle, but you’re so stubborn.” Art chuckles again. “I mean for what he gave me, I’d have to spend a few years working between here and my side gig.”
Drugs. He was at that house. I heard his voice.
“Do you know his plans?” Eli asks.
Art leans forward with a grin and his gaze lands on me. “For your little bird? Oh, he’s got plans. He didn’t exactly share them with me. He’s keeping that one in-house, if you know what I mean.”
“His close friends.” Eli nods like that makes sense. “If you hear anything, it will be worth a lot to us.”
Art laughs. “I love a guy with a rich daddy. I do know he wants a piece of your girl and is willing to share. If I were you and I gave a shit about a girl, I’d keep her as far away from that fucker as possible.”
A shiver chases through me as icy cold fingers of dread creep down my spine.
Art stands and takes his Coke. “You all have a nice evening. Tip your server.”
His gaze stops on Luke. “I expect payment if you don’t want me to tell Zach about this.”
Caden stands and gestures for Art to lead him.
When they head outside, I swallow.
“He’s not getting his hands on you, sweetheart.” Jack rubs my arm and tugs me against his side.
I draw in his apple scent and lean into him.
Caden walks in and takes his seat. When he reaches for his soda, his knuckles are red and swollen.
“Did you take care of him?” Luke asks.
“Payment processed and made sure he’ll be out of the game for the season.”
My mouth opens.
Caden looks at me, and I close it. “He hurt Nico. He knew he’d get payback. With the money I gave him, he’ll sleep just fine.”
These boys are playing on a different level than I ever considered, but I need to catch up. It’s not like I didn’t want to kick the guy in the balls for hurting Nico. What Caden did was probably more pleasant than what I had in mind.
“After we eat, we’re going to your place.” Luke leans his elbows on the table.
I swallow and nod.
“Caden and Nico will stay with you while we go with your mother where we need to go.” Luke’s gaze pierces into me.
We’re back in the land of someone listening to us. Our phones could be used. Our cars. Our houses.
I blow out a breath. They’re going to take my mom to the quarry to look for an SD card from thirteen years ago. I don’t have a lot of hope of them finding anything, but maybe we’ll find the answers to what happened to my father.
Maybe Mom will finally be able to put him to rest and move on with her life.
Maybe.
“We’ll talk after.” Luke’s gaze softens like he knows what I’m thinking. I draw in a breath and my heart settles. Even if it hurts to know the truth, these guys will be there for me.
Mom works tonight. That means someone will be over to sleep with me.
“Are we going back to our normal or are we doing a rotation for bedtime?” I toy with my straw.
“We might have you come to our houses this round, kitten.” Eli tips my chin his way. “We just have to be careful.”
I swallow. I don’t think anything about this week is going to be easy. But if we want to find answers, we’ll do what we have to do. Even if that means meeting everyone’s parents and telling them they’re all dating me.