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CHAPTER 15

The Queen

Luke

“Sorry, we have to interrupt tonight’s festivities for longer than just announcing the dance of your royalty.” Principal McGrath smiles at the student body gathered, waiting for him to get on with this.

I wrap my arm around Harper’s waist, and she leans into me. If it were my decision, we would have skipped this dance entirely. We’ve always made an appearance in the past and yeah, I always had to show up for the royalty dance. But Harper’s never been to a dance at all and I get that this is huge for her, but the risk doesn’t offset the reward.

My mom was lost to me before I even knew her. That empty place in my heart where she belongs has never really healed. But Harper is here and tangible and so fucking loving.

I can’t lose her. It would break me.

“Ms. Ford, would you take over?” Principal McGrath steps back, and Parker Ford closes in on the mic.

Harper grabs my tie. I glance down at her, and she’s paler than normal. I lift my gaze to Jack’s, and he nods. He’s our linchpin. He’s the one who will keep her in his sight no matter what else happens.

We trust him.

“Are you guys ready to welcome your Homecoming Court?” Parker is excited and claps enthusiastically with the rest of the student body.

My fingers tighten on Harper’s waist, but she doesn’t flinch. She snuggles in tighter to me, like she wants to become part of me. It would be easier if she won the crown, but that’s not going to happen.

I might have teased her with it, but her nomination was never real. Sidney orchestrated it. And while it might work in teen movies that the underdog gets the crown, our school isn’t like that.

We did campaign to encourage people to vote for Ashley, but whether they did was up to them. It would be another chink in Sidney’s armor to lose Homecoming queen to Ashley.

Now that Ashley’s gotten over the fact Eli wasn’t going to help her that way anymore, she could make a good asset for the rest of the year. She definitely helped Harper last night, and for that, I owe her.

Parker announces the freshman, sophomore, and junior courts. Each set walks up onto the stage to applause and Parker hands each of the girls a small bouquet of roses and puts a sash over their dress.

Harper tugs on my tie, and I look down into her worried eyes.

“Do you see Kenz? She’s supposed to be here, but I don’t see her.”

I glance around, but I can’t find Kenz. Her red dress made her stand out when she danced with Harper, so she should be easy to spot in this crowd. If she’s here, she’s standing behind someone.

“I can’t find her.” I gaze down into Harper’s eyes and see that need for her friend. The one who’s always supported her. I turn to Jack and Nico. “Can you guys track down MacKenzie?”

Jack kisses Harper’s shoulder before nodding and checking in with me. “You’ve got her?”

“I won’t let go,” I assure him.

“Be back in a second, sweetheart.” Jack leads Nico through the crowd before they split up.

“I’m sure she’s just in the bathroom or something,” I reassure her, but when I looked around, I didn’t spot Penny and Will anywhere either. I’ve never had to worry about anyone else but me and my boys before. But Penny is my only blood relative that I’ve started to tolerate.

I lean over to Eli. “Have you seen Penny?”

Eli’s brow furrows and he scans the crowd. “Ava is over with the guys who aren’t on stage. Vicki, Nat, and Izzy are over to the side, but they’re looking around too.”

I swallow down my apprehension. It’s just a coincidence.

“And what we’ve all been waiting for... your senior court!” Parker’s voice draws my attention. “Caden Ross and Emma Garcia.”

Caden pauses at Harper and kisses her briefly before walking over to Emma and offering his arm to lead her up on stage.

“Let me go ask Mike to look for Penny.” Eli stops in front of Harper. “You look like a queen, kitten.”