Page 140 of Their Cruel Play
Kenz gets out and we both walk to my door.
“You could spread the rumor of a venereal disease you all have.” Kenz snickers as I unlock the door and give her a WTF face. She holds up her hands. “It’s only an option. That would make both the guys and girls a little more wary at least.”
“The guys?” I push the door open. Mom must not be up for work yet. The lights are all off and she’s not in the kitchen or living room.
I drop my backpack and go to the fridge to grab us both a soda.
Kenz sits on one of the bar stools at the island. “Girl, every guy wants you.”
“What?” I step back.
She grins. “They think you’ll be a freak in the sheets.”
“Oh my god!” I put her soda in front of her. “Why?”
“You have five boyfriends, H.” Kenz opens her soda. “And they’re all horsemen. Of course, other guys will assume certain things about you, since you’re able to hold those guys’ attention.”
I drop my head down to the cool island stone. “How is this my life?”
Seriously, not one of those guys looked twice at me for the past three years. Not one of them ever approached me and asked me out. They all left me to my game of hide. And now that the seal’s been broken, they want me? Heat churns in my gut.
“Fuck them.” I meet Kenz’s blue eyes.
She laughs and touches her bottle of soda to mine. “Damn right!”
CHAPTER 39
The Rules of Engagement
Nico
Football practice was hot and tiring today. We’re all worn out as we take our showers and get dressed.
“Hold up.” Luke sits on the bench, holding his side. It’s easy to forget he’s hurt when he doesn’t show it, but right now, he’s in pain. It’s in the lines on his face. We had a scrimmage at the end of practice, and he got taken down.
No one knows about his injury but us. I never knew about his father or what was happening in his home life. His father was always a neglectful asshole. I just didn’t know he was an abusive one.
I should have known. Even just with summers. This was going on long before I left. And the way Caden acted when we found Luke, he was used to this. He didn’t flinch or act shocked. He just took care of Luke.
That, combined with my jealousy, makes me feel like a shit friend all around. But if anyone understands jealousy, it would be Luke. He’s possessive of Harper.
Dropping my bag, I settle on the bench with the others. The rest of the team has left for the day, so it’s just the horsemen inthe locker room. The assistant coach comes by on his way to his office.
His gaze lingers on Jack for a moment. “Good practice today, guys.”
“Thanks, Coach.” Eli waits for Coach Turner to move back to his office and the door to shut before saying, “We doing this?”
“Doing what?” I ask, but they all look at me.
Fuck. I stand. The instinct to storm away tries to take hold of me, but I need to own up to my shit if I want to stay part of this. And I’m not bailing now. I want Harper and I want my friends.
“Sit, Nico.” Jack, who is usually the least serious of us, is serious.
That’s how I know I’m in for it. I blow out a breath and sit on the bench. This has been coming. I’ve been all over the place with them and with Harper. Some of it is this situation, but most of it is on me.
“What’s going on, man?” Caden’s gaze locks on mine. “We don’t tear each other down. You aren’t the only one who gives a shit about Harper.”
“I know.” I run my hand through my wet hair and look at all their faces. “When I came back, she was a toy to you. Something to play with. I know it’s more now. I just?—”
