She wipes her hands and leans forward. “How do I know it will be good?”
“If he doesn’t work out, I’ll arrange something else for you.” I have no doubt it will work. The girls who came to me afterWilder had them wanted me to go harder. He’ll be perfect for Ashley.
Ashley looks at her empty basket. “Homecoming is coming up. You know what that means. The court.”
Homecoming court. Someone will be crowned king and queen. If things were normal, that would be Luke and Sidney this year, just like last year.
“You’ll be on the court and so will we,” I say. It’s just the way it works.
Ashley smiles. “Sidney wants to goCarrieon your girl’s ass.”
The horror movie. “Pig’s blood?”
“Ew. No. We might get splattered.” Ashley leans forward and her eyes get bright like this idea excites her. “She wants your girl to win so that in the confusion of things she’ll get separated from you guys. She hasn’t told me exactly what she plans to do besides rig the voting so Harper wins. Something will happen on stage and your girl will be at the center of it.”
Ashley leans back and crosses her arms. “Of course, I’d know more if your girl hadn’t blown us all up yesterday.”
“You know Sidney will be kissing your ass for a week to make up for it.” I’m not worried about that. I’m worried about this plan.
Harper won’t like being singled out, but if all of us are on the court and she isn’t, then we also have a problem. Maybe Nico won’t make it onto the court. He’d be able to watch her, but there’s so much shit happening Homecoming week to begin with. It’s the perfect time to fuck with our girl.
“You don’t know what the distraction will be?”
“Maybe I’ll know closer to the time. Right now, it’s just a plan we’ve put into motion so when the voting closes for Homecoming court on Friday, Harper Davidson will be nominated.”
Yeah, that’s not going to go over well. “I’ll need a safe word and a word he can give you so you’ll go with him.”
“What? You don’t want me to go with some masked man without verifying it’s the guy you what... bribed to fuck me?” Ashley sits back with her arms crossed.
“I’d just hate for you to go missing because of an honest mistake.” I shake my head. “Be grateful I’m doing anything. That wholeask her to watchthing was meant to blow us up worse than your friend group.”
Ashley smirks and shrugs. “If she can’t handle the truth...”
“Text me the words.” I stand and throw a hundred-dollar bill on the table. “Let’s get back to school.”
CHAPTER 36
The Strategic Allies
Harper
When I glance over at Jack in the last period of the day, he’s practically vibrating. His leg bounces and I don’t miss the energy drink in the pocket of his backpack. He hasn’t stopped looking at his computer the whole period.
He slept a few hours last night. I hope. He’s going to crash and burn if he doesn’t get more sleep.
Luke takes his phone out and looks at something on the screen. His gaze darts to Jack and then he types on his phone. Luke looks like he didn’t sleep at all last night either. But he doesn’t seem to have any new injuries, which is good.
For now.
I don’t like him being there under that roof, but I can’t leave Penny there alone. Not with their father. I’m not sure how to feel about Penny, but I don’t trust their dad at all.
My phone buzzes.
Kenz:
Are we still hanging out with the girls after school?
I glance at my phone and then at the teacher, who’s still droning on at the whiteboard. I turn to Kenz, who smirks at me.
