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Spending the weekend outside of our town has been good for us. Deciding between Boston and New York City will be impossible. And then there’s Crowne Mawr, which is close and affordable.

“I love what you’re doing. Keep up the good work,” Ms. Sullivan says.

My insides glow with her praise as she walks away. Part of me wonders if she feels guilty for keeping me with Tanner and that’s why she doesn’t separate Caden and me. Though Caden is her favorite so he might have said something to her. I wouldn’t put it past him.

“You should do something in arts, little nympho.” Caden’s voice is low in my ear, and he shifts his fingers to the underside of my knee. He’s still trying to make me come from just touching me there.

It hasn’t worked yet, but I don’t mind him trying.

“Like what, War?” I give him a look. I haven’t figured out what I want to do long-term, and the guys have all been helpful in providing options. Maybe a few too many options.

“Want to cut my hand so we can go to the nurse’s office?” He gives me a smolder that has me clenching my thighs.

“We aren’t exactly working with anything that could cut you, War. Focus. We’re making art here.” I turn back to our project, pretending like he doesn’t already have me five seconds from asking for the bathroom pass.

He kisses my exposed shoulder. “We always make art together, little nympho.”

Sparks light beneath my skin, and I know it’s only a matter of time before we’re in a closet somewhere. But I really do want to finish what I can before that.

“They have an excellent graphic arts program at Crowne Mawr.” Caden shifts in his chair.

“I’ll look into it.”

He hits a spot beneath my knee that sets me on fire. I turn to meet his devious green eyes.

“So, did you want a shallow cut or a deep cut?” I offer with a smile. We’re ahead on the project timeline.

He chuckles. “Pretty sure we can just ask for the pass.”

I arch an eyebrow. “Oh, now you offer the pass. I don’t get to cut you?”

He shrugs. “Whatever you want, little nympho. I’m all in.”

CHAPTER 60

The Parting Shot

Luke

The hallways are filled with students anticipating that last day of school before Christmas break. Caden and Harper have been working on their art project nonstop because it isn’t quite perfect yet, even though it doesn’t get graded until we return from winter break.

“Mustangs rule!” a guy yells as he walks past us. We won State for the fourth year. Coach was ecstatic and almost tearful at our final victory.

After State, we went to Crowne Mawr for the weekend. Kenz and Brandon came down separately and got a hotel room while we got a loft. We ran into Wilder and his crew, and they invited us to a college party. Kenz and Harper were super excited.

Girls tried to flirt with us while Harper and Kenz danced. We ignored the other girls. We don’t want any trouble starting before we even head off to college. More than a few interested guys watched Harper and Kenz, but no one dared to talk to them.

We might have been fairly inebriated when we headed back to the rental for the night. We defiled every surface in that loft. It was a good night overall.

Jack taps my arm and gestures with his chin toward the doors leading outside. Angela Brown walks in with Sidney trailing behind her. Sidney’s chin is held stubbornly high, but even I can feel the nerves coming from her.

“Make sure she doesn’t see,” I say to Jack. He’ll know I’m talking about Harper.

We don’t know if Sidney will trigger anything in Harper, and I’m not risking it right before our break. Jack nods and takes off to find Caden and Harper. Eli and Nico close in next to me.

More than one person has turned to watch Sidney walk into the school for the first time since the Homecoming dance blowup. The hallway is filled with whispers and phones held to record whatever the former queen bee might do this time.

Sidney turns and sees me.