I sit down next to Nico’s feet and hold a pillow against my chest.
Mom and Davi—Mr. Wick sit in the arm chairs and make themselves comfortable as the show plays. I sit straight, unsure how to react. Nico presses his toes against my hip and I glance his way.
Smiling, he mouths,Relax.
Easy for him to say. He hasn’t had Mr. Wick for multiple classes over the course of three years in high school. To him, Mr. Wick is just another adult. To me, he’s one of my favorite teachers.
He didn’t always put up with the horsemen’s bullshit, especially in class. He’s a fair grader and honestly tries to teach us something in every class. Even when he’s tired and seems done with the world, he still does his job.
But that’s all he is to me: a teacher. Not a guy who my mom knew in high school and then went out on a date with. Did she ask him here to be alone with him?
I wasn’t supposed to be here.
Wait a minute. I straighten.
OMG! Were they going to do more? Maybe make out on the couch? I wasn’t supposed to be home all night. Was my mom going to get some?
I stare at her in horror as she talks about the show. She looks great tonight. The dress we got fits her perfectly. I don’t know much about my mom’s life outside of our shared one. Does she have a booty call I don’t know about?
Has she honestly been waiting for my dad all these years?
Was she going to fuck my teacher in our house?
The doorbell rings and I bolt to my feet. “I’ll get it.”
I take the pizza from the guy and lock the door before setting the box on the island. Mom’s still talking to Mr. Wick. Nico looks like he wants to get up and help me, so I grab a handful of napkins and just bring the whole box in, setting it on the coffee table.
Mom arches an eyebrow, but I sit on the edge of the couch next to Nico and get him a piece of pizza. Mr. Wick clears his throat.
“Maybe I should head out.”
When he begins to rise, Mom stands first. “You know, why don’t we go and get a drink somewhere? We can talk more.”
The knot in my stomach unwinds. But that doesn’t mean she won’t make out with him. How’s that going to be on Monday at school? What if my mom ghosts Mr. Wick? How fucking awkward would that be?
Nico’s hand rests in the center of my back, calming me as Mr. Wick heads for the door.
“I hope you feel better, Nico. David, do you mind waiting a moment?” Mom sighs. “Harper?”
I don’t want to go, but I follow her into the back TV room.
“Is everything okay?” Mom asks as soon as I shut the door.
“Of course.” There’s so much I haven’t told her, even though she knows more than any other of our parents.
“David thinks you were coerced into this situation with the guys. Is that true, Harper?”
Fuck. I look down at the floor. “No.”
“Okay, now tell me that while looking me in my eyes.” Her tone is fierce.
Oh, fuck. I lift my gaze. She wouldn’t understand. Fuck, I don’t understand, but they’re mine.
“I—”
The doorbell rings. We both turn to look at the door to the office.
“This conversation isn’t over.” Mom walks out the office door. I follow her into the living room and then my cheeks heat as Luke, Eli, Caden, and Jack come into our house.
