Page 45 of Their Wicked Secrets: Untouched, Vol 5 of 6

“Kind of.” Is Caden’s place home now? Will Mom be back? I forgot to ask Jack if he knew whether she worked last night. But if I ask him, he’ll look. And he knows I’m concerned, so he might do a deeper dive and that’s more time he does other things that aren’t sleeping.

The guys weren’t wrong. I’m tempted to roofie him so he’ll sleep.

After we get in the car, Kenz tosses her backpack in the back and holds her hand out for my backpack. I don’t think, just give it to her, and she puts it in the back too.

“How’s Nico been today?” Kenz starts the car and turns up the radio really loud. She looks at me expectantly.

I guess she wants me to yell my answer?

“Good.” I narrow my eyes at her, trying to figure out what’s going on. Why is the radio so loud? It’s a decent song. Maybe she’s trying to keep my mind from wandering to all the shit happening.

Fuck it, I don’t have the energy for much. I slept decently once Luke had me in his arms and I was sandwiched between him and Caden, but it still wasn’t a full night’s sleep.

Maybe Kenz just really likes this song. Maybe she figures I don’t want to talk about the mess of my life. She’s probably right. Too many things hang in the air, threatening to drop.

Not that I can talk to her much. We still haven’t figured out if her car is bugged or not. I forgot to ask Caden if I could use the device. I’ll have to remember to bring it to school tomorrow.

I should just be a teen and listen to music.

When Kenz pulls out onto the street, I sit back and close my eyes for a moment. The only thing that made the school day good was being with the guys all day long. Little touches and kisses. Everyone’s on high alert, so we’re not making out with abandon like we used to. But it’s still nice.

I miss Nico, especially in art class. Tanner was quiet, but that’s okay. I’d rather him keep his mouth shut. It feels like the calm before the storm. Tomorrow starts the Homecoming festivities. My stomach clenches.

I haven’t been forced to interact with Zach yet, but it’s coming.

When I open my eyes, my brows furrow as I look around. We’re not where we’re supposed to be.

“Kenz!” I yell to be heard over the radio. “You missed your turn.”

She nods along with the music. “I want a snack first.”

I’m confused and on high alert, which makes me suspicious of everything, but this is Kenz. She doesn’t have a reason to hurt me. She’s in love with her boyfriend, and she doesn’t want any of mine. None of them have ever done anything to her. Right?

When I reach out to turn the music down, her eyes widen and she puts her hand over mine. She shakes her head slowly as she comes to a stop sign. Turning to me, she mouths a word, and my whole body goes cold as the realization of what she mouthed hits me.

Poughkeepsie.

Only a few people know that word. I never told it to Kenz. If she knows it, my mom or the friend told her. I stare out the front of the car, watching the houses get farther apart until we’re in the country. My heart races.

I toy with the ring on my finger, knowing that the guys will be able to track me. But not until after practice. I don’t know who else could potentially track me, but my phone...

When I reach back for my backpack, Kenz blocks me again. “Sorry.”

“My phone.” I gesture.

“Off,” she mouths.

I nod, but chills coat me. What if I’ve put my trust in the wrong person? What if the guys were right, and Kenz is behind everything?

“Breathe, H.” Kenz shakes her head.

I suck a breath into my starved lungs. She pulls off the highway onto a gravel road and parks.

When she opens her door, she gestures with her head for me to come on. I swallow. I could call the guys, but they don’t have their phones on them. If it is my mom, then I need to see her, and if I turn on my phone, whoever is tracking me will find her too.

Kenz shuts her door and walks down the path a little before turning back to give me an impatient look. This could be stupid, but this is one of the two people in this world I’ve trusted for most of my life.

If Kenz wanted to hurt me, she could have done it so many times before. I get out of the car and walk to her. We walk for a little while before she releases a breath.