“I know Tanner Lewis. How do you know Tanner?” Kenz turns the stink eye on me.
“Monday when you were sick.” I close my notebook. “Tanner had to sit close to the board and since you weren’t here, he sat in your seat.”
“Your sister is Mia, right?” Kenz asks Tanner.
“Yeah, twins.” He smiles.
Kenz presses her lips together. “You can go now.”
“Wait, Tanner. What’s wrong, Kenz?”
She’s watching him distrustfully. “We’ll talk when he leaves.”
“It’s okay, Harper.” Tanner straightens. “I wanted to make sure you were okay after how they treated you.”
“Umm, yeah, things are back to normal.” I give him a small smile. Kenz shouldn’t worry so much. Tanner wants revenge on the horsemen, and maybe I can use that to my advantage. “Nothing to worry about.”
“Good. See you at lunch?”
I shake my head. “Kenz is taking me out.”
Tanner nods and heads back to his desk.
“What the hell, H?” Kenz hisses at me under her breath. “Why is Tanner Lewis asking you about lunch?”
I sigh and whisper back, “Yesterday I ate outside, and he apparently likes to eat at the same tree I usually do.”
“That can’t be a coincidence.” She turns and glares at Tanner.
“Seriously, he’s just looking out for me because the horsemen scared his sister off and he didn’t want me to feel like I was alone against them.” I put my sketchpad away.
“Do you even know who Tanner is?” Kenz puts her hand over mine. “Has he ever talked to you before this year? Because that’s sus.”
“No, but I didn’t really know Rebecca Forester either and I think she would understand what I’m dealing with. Or more, who I’m dealing with.” I check my phone to make sure the horsemen haven’t texted. I’m not getting punished on my birthday.
“Do you know what he did?” she whispers.
“No, but I know if his sister went through only a little of what I’m going through, then maybe he was justified in whatever he did. After all, they were on the team together. He thought they were friends.”
“Harper, we need to talk about this because you only got part of the story, and if the guys know he’s sniffing around you, they won’t be happy.” Kenz straightens in her seat. “We’ll talk before the guys get there tonight.”
I glance at Tanner, who gives me a crooked smile. Penny also warned me about him. I don’t get a bad vibe from him. Maybe he’s a little eager to get back at the horsemen, but he’s just been friendly so far.
“Fine.”
The bell rings, and everyone leaves for lunch. Kenz and I head toward the parking lot. Brandon finds us first and wraps his arm around Kenz’s shoulders, drawing her in for a kiss.
“Happy birthday, Harper,” Brandon says as we make it outside.
The horsemen stand from the sign they were sitting on as we approach.
“Where to?” Luke asks Kenz.
“Crusty’s.” She turns to me. “Are you riding with us?”
Eli wraps his arm around my shoulders, surrounding me in his warmth. “We’ve got Harper. Meet you there.”
I smile at Kenz and shrug. Eli directs me to Luke’s car and opens the back door for me. I slide in and Jack sits on the other side. Caden settles in shotgun and Luke drives.
