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Unfortunately, it’s the only thing I can think of.
“He said you looked really pretty, and he made a—Actually, I should give you better context. Like I said, he was getting a blow job in the study. So, I told him the girl better swallow so they didn’t make a mess since it was your house, not his, and then he made some obnoxious remark about how any girl lucky enough to have his cock in her mouth always swallowed. Then he said maybe he would show you firsthand one of these days. So, I guess it wasn’t actuallyaskingabout you, more… making a lewd comment about you.”
Anae stares at me. “You are shit at telling a story, Parker.”
“I’m a woman of many talents. Apparently, storytelling is not among them.”
Anae looks back at Hannah, so I’m free to as well. Relief trickles through me when I see Hannah doesn’t look as anxious as she did before. Her shoulders are more relaxed, and the phone is cradled in her hand instead of at risk of being crushed. I guess I bought her enough time.
“Arden’s family is super rich,” I add, since dropping the topic all of a sudden would be suspicious. “I don’t know if he’s a puppet like you originally expressed interest in, but if you can handle someone as cocky and obnoxious as him, I really think he could be a good match for you.”
This is my boldest lie to date. With Arden’s resources and Anae’s ruthlessness, I think the two of them together would be a colossal disaster.
Anae ponders the idea. “Yeah, I had similar thoughts, but I didn’t think he…” She stops before finishing whatever she was about to say. “Keep an ear open. If he mentions me again, make sure you let me know right away this time.”
I nod obediently. “Yes, my queen,” I joke.
Anae rolls her eyes, but I’m just happy to appease her for the moment. If there’s one thing I know without a doubt can drive Anae toliterallyattempting homicide, it is the devil known as Chase Darington.
Focusing in on Hannah again, she says, “If you think your bestie’s little distraction is going to make me forget about Dare, I’m afraid you’re mistaken. Show me the message. I want to see exactly what was said.”
Hannah shrugs apologetically, but still doesn’t offer her phone. “I really did delete the message, Anae. I told you what was said. It was just a couple of sentences. There was no secret message he wanted you to see.”
“I’ll judge that for myself. Open the app.”
Hannah sighs, but does as she’s told.
“Go to his profile and click like you’re going to send him a message. See if it comes back.”
Hannah’s fingers freeze and my stomach drops.
Will that bring the message back?
Hannah begins nervously, “I don’t know if—”
“Just do it,” Anae snaps.
Hannah takes a breath and taps the screen.
I hold my breath, my teeth sinking anxiously into my bottom lip.
Hannah lightens a bit, turning the phone screen to show Anae. “See? Nothing there.”
Oh, thank God.
Anae narrows her gaze with dislike, but I see an out, and I don’t hesitate to take it. “There you go. The message is gone and there’s no getting it back.” I stand, lightly grabbing Hannah’s arm. “And you know what else we aren’t getting back? Our perfect attendance records if we don’t all get our asses to school ASAP.”
Anae doesn’t care about being tardy, but she must realize this conversation isn’t going anywhere, either.
I don’t give her the opportunity to delay our exit. I haul Hannah through Anae’s bedroom and out into the hall, and I don’t let go until we’re about to walk down the stairs.
“That was a close call,” Hannah murmurs as we head for the front door. “Thanks for having my back in there.”
“You know I always have your back.” I glance over at her. “But should I be worried that you are apparently exchanging scandalous enough messages with Dare in the middle of the night that you and I need to hurl ourselves into traffic to avoid Anae reading them?”
“No. Of course not,” she says, shaking her head. “They weren’t scandalous at all. The messages were completely harmless—to a sane person.”
I cock an eyebrow.
