He rests his head against mine.
“It’ll be okay, kitten.” His words are for me only.
I nod and resist the urge to curl into him. Rest my head against his chest and ride this out from the protection of hisarms. Lifting my gaze to his dark eyes, I smile, trying to reassure both of us that this will be fine.
I sit on the couch next to Nico’s feet again and turn my attention to my mom. Is she going to ask them if they coerced me into a relationship? What would they even say to that? Would they tell her the truth or lie?
We didn’t start out in a typical fashion. My cheeks heat remembering the spanking in the cafeteria. Luke wanting to see the marks on my ass cheek in the bathroom. The first time I got naked for them. The look in each of their eyes. The desire. The longing.
How, even though I didn’t want to, it was too easy to want each of them. How quickly I fell for all of them.
Jack sits next to me on the couch and draws me into his side. Zach’s words still cling to me. I won’t let them fester, but we haven’t had time to talk about them. Knowing Zach, I’m sure whatever he was talking about is meant to pull us apart.
Which is exactly what Mr. Wick is doing but through my mother. The only one who supports us and actually helps us. This can’t be a coincidence.
Especially after the night Sidney broke in and Mom came home early from work. Maybe this is plan B.
Mom sits in the armchair and crosses her legs. Her elbows rest on the curved arms and her fingers curl around the lowball glass of amber liquid. Her gaze stays on Mr. Wick.
“Here’s the thing...” She takes a drink and leans forward to set the glass on the coffee table. “When David called Harper and I in, he told me some interesting things about the five of you. Mostly the four of you, but Nico seems to have fallen in line with whatever you boys are up to.”
I don’t think as I grab Jack’s hand. I’d touch all of them if I could. When our fingers entwine, I draw from his strength because I don’t know how my mom is going to play this.
“Harper is a good daughter and a good student and none of that has changed.” Her eyes narrow on Mr. Wick slightly. “Whathaschanged this year is her clothing choice and the guys she’s seeing. I trust my daughter to talk to me if something was wrong. But Mr. Wick says you boys have made it difficult for people to come forward in the past.”
Luke looks at each of us. His gaze settles on me and I straighten. He seems to be waiting for something. Maybe he’s waiting for me to speak up. This is my parent after all.
“I’m not sure what you mean.” My gaze meets my mom’s. She arches an eyebrow at me, but I don’t drop my gaze this time.
Mr. Wick crosses his ankle over his knee and leans back in the chair, watching all of us. “Since the beginning of the school year, there were multiple instances that looked as if Harper needed help because of the boys. The boys manhandle Harper frequently. In the hallways. In class. But it’s not unheard of regarding these particular boys. Several of the staff members, as well as other students, are afraid to report them. I thought you should know who you’re dealing with.”
Mr. Wick takes a drink.
“Why didn’t you say something weeks ago?” Eli tips his head with a quizzical brow. “At the beginning of school? Isn’t that when you noticed herneeding assistance? Why wait until now?”
I swallow because he’s right, but my mom’s eyes narrow. Does she think he’s admitting guilt?
Eli does have a point. He arches an eyebrow at my look of censure, but leans back in his chair and nods to give me the floor. I look at Mr. Wick and squeeze Jack’s hand.
“I appreciate that you believe you’re helping, Mr. Wick, but we’re good. I’m not sure what you thought you saw, but the beginnings of any relationship are often a struggle. Especially in high school. I think what all of us are wondering is why you feel the need to escalate to my mother at this point?”
If he’d done it that first week, would it have made any difference? Would this all have gone away? Jack squeezes my hand and smiles down at me.
Mr. Wick sighs.
Mom leans back in her chair and taps the side of her glass. She takes in Mr. Wick with a slightly curious look. “They have a point. Harper came to me after the first day of school begging to be homeschooled, but then that was it. There was thepretend she was groundedthing. But if four guys were suddenly interested in me, I might have done the same thing at her age. But that was it.”
Mr. Wick pulls on his collar. “You’re okay with your daughter being with five boys?”
Mom blows out a breath. “Would you rather me lock her in her room? Judge her for following her heart? We knew each other in high school, David. You don’t know who I am or who I’ve become over these years. It’s been fun reminiscing and getting to know who you are now. But when it comes to Harper, I still trust her.”
My throat feels thick and tears press at the back of my eyes. My mom’s faith in me seems unshakable.
David puts his glass on the coffee table and leans his elbows on his knees. He pushes his glasses up his nose before looking at each of the guys. “I won’t pretend you boys are normal students. Everyone in that school gives you preferential treatment because of who your parents are and because you’ve put our high school on the map for football.”
His gaze settles on me. “You’ve never paid attention to Harper before this year. She seemed to be handling it, but honestly, I thought Jenn should know who her daughter is dealing with. That you boys may be using her daughter.”
“First, we’re not boys.” Luke doesn’t straighten, but the air of authority he speaks with makes Mr. Wick take notice. “Second, Harper is old enough to make her own decisions.”
