Page 35

“The first of many dances.” He kisses me softly, and I sigh against his lips as he pulls away.

Jack joins us with the crutches. Nico takes them and heads back to the table.

“Come back with us, Harper.” Jack takes my hand as the DJ plays a popular song. I’m torn. I like this song, but I could use a drink.

I turn back to see where Kenz went, but I can’t find her or Brandon in the crowd. Maybe they snuck off to find a quiet place of their own. I wish I had that option. When we arrive at the table, Luke pulls me down to sit on his lap and hands me a bottle of water.

“Having fun, princess?” He brushes his fingers along the nape of my neck as I take a drink.

“I am.” I set the bottle down and turn. “So, one dance left?”

The current song has a good beat and there’s a bunch of people dancing. Next to the DJ, there’s a small stage, and the principal and Parker Ford stand up there getting ready.

My stomach churns. That’s for the crowning, which shouldn’t take long technically. But that’s where everything could go to hell.

Or just be very uncomfortable up in front of everyone. Who will win since Sidney is out of the running? Besides Luke.

“Who do you think won?” I turn and meet his pale blue eyes.

“You don’t think you won?” He smirks as he touches my waist.

I laugh at the absurdity of that question. “No. That would be the upset of the century, or the results would have been rigged, which would be bad for me.” I toy with the flower pendant. “It’s just that everyone expected you and Sidney to win. But Sidney is disqualified so...”

Luke chuckles. “Sidney’s mom can pull strings if she wants to. If she thought Sidney won, Sidney would be here.”

My brows slam together and that churning feeling multiplies. I figured the rest of this weekend would be Sidney-free. “But she can’t— She tried to— Do you think it’s possible?”

I don’t want to think about it, but I remember the look in her eyes as they pushed on the door. She wanted them to do unspeakable things to me and Ashley. I swallow.

Luke smooths his thumb along my eyebrow. “Possible, yes. But I don’t think she won. Her power has been slipping. It’s not just us who want someone else to be queen bee. She’s been making enemies for years. Without our protection and sanction, the girls will riot against her. She’s lost her only friends.”

I glance over at the nearby table where Ashley, Emma, and Hannah sit together. How would I feel if Kenz were the one making all this happen? I definitely wouldn’t be her friend anymore. But I’d also be hurt and betrayed.

Do they miss their leader? Or are they ready to take over? Ashley certainly seems capable. It’s just a matter of dethroning the reigning queen.

There are a couple of basketball guys on the other half of the girls’ table. Ashley’s and Hannah’s dates. Mike Cook sits next to Emma, but everyone at the table is looking at their phones. Though the basketball guys seem more intent on their phones and nudge each other every now and then, sharing their screen.

A shiver of apprehension runs through me.

It’s possible they’re just sharing videos.

But what if they’re part of it and last night was a ruse? Why wouldn’t Zach use the guys closest to him for the “panty raid”? Zach was happy to leave the guys he used instead in jail. What if there was more to it? What if the end goal was to make me trust the Cheermonsters?

Ashley lifts her gaze and catches me looking at her. Fuck. Her eyes don’t narrow like they would have before, but she gives me a questioning look. Then she looks up at the ceiling. Before I can follow her gaze, Luke shifts beneath me.

“This is us, princess.” Luke lifts me to stand as Snooze by SZA comes on. Is it possible the Cheermonsters are in on it? I drag in a breath. Anything’s possible.

He guides me to the dance floor and takes me into his arms. Warmth floods me, and there’s nowhere I feel safer than here with him. With all of them.

I thread my fingers into Luke’s blond hair at the back of his neck, and he pulls me in close, holding on to my hips. I lay my head against his chest as we sway slowly to the music. He rests his chin on my head. Every inch of us is wrapped around each other.

The anxious butterflies settle in my stomach. We don’t say anything, but there’s nothing left to say. We started out enemies. What we found in each other is something I don’t think I’ll ever understand, but he’s mine and I’m his.

This is what I’m fighting for tonight. The ability to keep them as mine.

I want to hold this moment still in time. Sink into it with Luke and never come up for air.

Not face whatever might happen next. Maybe Zach isn’t going to do anything. Ashley will win Homecoming queen, and we’ll leave for the night to move onto better things. Together.