Oh, now he’s in trouble. I try to hold back my smile.
“Harper is free to spend time with whoever she feels is worthy.” Mom straightens. “I do appreciate the heads-up, but my daughter and those boys seem to be working things out just fine.”
Mr. Wick clears his throat and touches his collar. “I don’t think you know these boys, Jenn. The administration lets them do anything they want. Their fathers pay to make sure they don’t get in trouble. They aren’t known for being fine, upstanding young gentlemen.”
Mom glances at me, but all I see is the fires of justice burning in her eyes. All she knows is I’ve chosen them and they care for me. She doesn’t know how this all started.
Fuck, Mr. Wick was there. He saw Luke manhandle me on so many occasions. Who knows how much he’s seen? After all, it’s not like we look for teachers before they all kiss me before class.
“I may not know these boys as well as I’d like to, but I do know and trust Harper’s decisions. She wouldn’t let guys steamroll over her. So, if they aren’t gentlemen to everyone else, they must be to her.”
My stomach rolls, because yeah, not so much. Butguess what, Mom? I’m into that, probably isn’t going to cut it.
“I honestly didn’t mean to offend you.” Mr. Wick straightens. “I just wanted you to be aware of the situation before it blew up into something more.”
Where was he at the beginning of the school year? Why did he grow a pair now? I’m good. The guys are good. I don’t need someone to derail our relationship now.
“If I wasn’t already aware,” Mom’s tone softens, “I would have appreciated you letting me know. It hasn’t been easy raising Harper on my own. With my work shifts all over the place, I could have easily lost track of what she’s doing.”
“I just know if she was my kid, I’d want someone to tell me what’s going on.” Mr. Wick grabs his pen and fiddles with it. “Would you mind stepping out for a moment, Harper?”
I swallow, but my mom nods like it’s okay. “Okay.”
I pick up my bag and step out into the hallway, letting the door close behind me. They continue to talk. Each leaning in to listen to what the other has to say. Is he blowing me up in there?
My heart catches. Mom may not realize how close I’ve gotten with all the guys. Or maybe she does and this won’t affect anything.
“Hey.”
I turn at Luke’s voice. His eyes narrow on me.
“Everything okay?” He takes a step closer.
I walk over to him and wrap my arms around his waist, resting my head against his heart. He holds me awkwardly with my backpack on, but he holds me and that’s what I need right now.
I’m not sure what’s happening in there, but I know it won’t be good for me. Even if the adults think it is.
CHAPTER 41
The Turncoat
Jack
It took me most of the night to track him down, but I did it. If I didn’t know where to look, I might have missed him. I get why he’d help Sidney. Especially if she offered him something sexual.
I stand next to the school entrance I know he takes. My hands tremble from the amount of caffeine I’ve had. If I can figure out what this guy wants, I might be able to make him work for us instead. That way I can hand over shit to him and it won’t all rest on my shoulders.
I won’t be the one holding back our future. And I won’t tank my own future in the process.
“Hey, brah.” Michael Cook holds out his hand and we do a special handshake. He leans against the wall next to me. Fuck, he’s not supposed to be here. “It’s been quiet for a while. All good on your front?”
I raise an eyebrow at him, but smirk. “Yeah, we’re all good.”
We haven’t been using the football guys like we normally do. We can’t trust them. Any of them. Maybe we need to set up some fool’s errands so they don’t get suspicious. Especially the ones who are working for the others.
“It’s been quiet. Focused on my girl.” I shrug and glance toward the parking lot. I really don’t want Mike here when I confront this guy. Mike tends to go overboard with the intimidation, which is excellent on the football field and when we need someone to be the heavy, but this shit is delicate.
“That’s good.” He nods and looks around. “Don’t you usually hang out on the other side of school?”
