“You know.” Penny moves up beside me. “I wouldn’t let him sit next to you anymore. I don’t think the horsemen like Tanner much.”
“Yeah?” I’m curious what she knows. “Why not?”
She nods. “I just know he used to be a big deal on the football team until last year. I don’t think he even gets invited to parties anymore. Poor guy. He’s stupid hot though.”
I nod thoughtfully. That only substantiates his story.
Penny smiles. “You’re coming to the game on Friday, right? It’s a home game and we’ll all be there. We can sit together and then head to whatever party afterwards. It’ll be loads of fun.”
“I’m still grounded this weekend, so probably not. I wish I could though.” Not really. I need to find a way to stay out of the horsemen’s clutches. Mom might be amenable to “grounding” me more, but I’m not sure that won’t get me in trouble with them.
She smiles easily. “Then the next one, for sure.”
I nod and walk out of the classroom and toward the cafeteria. My feet are heavy like I’m walking to my doom. I don’t even have lunch to eat today. And I trust Luke as far as I can throw him.
I have to reassemble the ice princess persona I’ve been using all morning, but it seems like too much work now. I just want to go home and forget the horsemen even exist. I’d go to the nurse’s office and get sent home if I didn’t need to save those days for when things really get to be too much.
The only good thing about today is I might have found an ally. Who knows, maybe more people feel the way Tanner does. Maybe I’m not alone in this battle.
Jack
I’m pretty sure we broke Harper. She’s been skittish and defiant and even sometimes submissive, but today she was a hellcat until we broke her. Now she’s nothing.
I walk up behind her as she drags her feet to the cafeteria. I wrap my arms around her waist and lift her off her feet. Not even a shriek of surprise.
“You’re going to get us in trouble.” Her words are flat. Not a bite or a hint of amusement. Nothing.
Fucking Luke and his plans. Great way to start the fucking week. Spank our girl. All together. And she’ll fall in line after ignoring us all Sunday. Though I enjoyed pressing my hand against her warm ass cheek, feeling the muscles twitch beneath my palm.
“You’re going the wrong way, sweetheart.”
“The cafeteria is this way.” Simple statement of fact.
“We aren’t going to the cafeteria today.” I set her on her feet and turn her around. “Luke promised to take you out.”
I hold out my hand to her, and she sticks her hand in mine. It’s loose like a limp noodle.
Fuck. I don’t like this.
At least she’s moving in the right direction now. I lead her out the doors to Luke’s car. Everyone else is already in, waiting for us.
I open the back door and she climbs in. No muss. No fuss. No arguing. Nothing.
I inhale and figure today is going to suck ass, and not in a good way.
The guys all talk as if Harper isn’t being a sullen little thing on the way to the wing shop. I study her to see if there’s any spark left in there. I don’t know about the others, but I’m almost afraid to kiss her when she’s like this.
If she kisses like she just held my hand, no thank you.
Luke parks and we all get out. I turn back and look in at Harper sitting perfectly still in the center seat. My eyes meet Caden’s over the roof of the car.
He nods. We both lean in. I unbuckle her seatbelt before Caden drags her out and throws her over his shoulder. She dangles there.
His hand covers her ass to keep her skirt down, and she lets out a small whimper. Her ass is probably sore. My eyes meet Caden’s again. Yeah, this definitely takes the fun out of having a pet.
I like her better when she’s feisty.
Eli and Luke have already gone into the restaurant to order. I hold the door open for Caden, and he strides through the tables until he reaches a booth toward the back. He sets Harper on her feet.
