Page 157 of Their Cruel Play
“You know,” Harper taps her lip with the eraser of her pencil, “now that Caden’s here, it wouldn’t be the worst thing if you got sent to the office.”
“Nah, let him burn through his insults and innuendos until he has nothing left.” I get out my sketchpad and glance over at Tanner. “After all, you’ve done all the damage you can do to me and mine. But we still haven’t taken everything from you.”
Tanner’s eyes narrow on me. “You underestimate what I can do.”
I laugh. “You underestimate our reach.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Tanner gives up any pretense of working.
“Meaning your sister still reaches out to Jack. She’s more than willing to help us.”
Harper’s eyes widen as she searches my face. I take her hand below the table and squeeze it. It sounds like I’m saying we’ll fuck with his sister, but we’re not. It’s a bluff, but it’s a legit one.
“Stay the fuck away from my sister,” Tanner bites out.
I lean back in my chair and shake my head slowly. “We might. If you back off whatever you think you’re going to do to Harper.”
His face transforms, and he laughs. “You think I’m the only one coming afteryourgirl? You’re all delusional. And that’s what’s going to take you down.”
Harper
Fortunately, the period ends with those ominous words. Caden helps me pack up my stuff and draws me into the hallway. Nico hurries out behind us. As we head toward the cafeteria, I tug on his hand.
“I need to use the ladies’.” I gesture to the bathroom.
Caden takes my backpack. Blushing, I grab a tampon out of the front pocket and head in. Girls’ voices echo in the small room.
“She acts like they’re hers, calling them all her boyfriends.”
Planning to just brazen it out, I blow out a breath and round the corner. Fortunately all the girls are in stalls. I slip into the last one and hope no one realizes I’m in here.
“I know, right?” another girl says. “Like they’re honestly going to be her boyfriends. That’s such a joke. I wonder when they’ll get to the punchline.”
“You mean when they humiliate her in front of the whole school.” The other girl laughs. “Remember what they did to Rebecca.”
“That was cold.” Someone flushes and the voice moves to the sinks. “I mean, I fucked Eli in front of her. I almost didn’t come because of the look on her face. At least I got something out of the deal.”
My stomach churns. Fuck, how did I not know about this?
“I can’t wait to ride Caden’s big fat dick. I’m going all out to get him. I’ll even let him take my ass.” The girl sounds dreamy.
“Damn, that would be impressive.”
Another toilet flushes, and the sinks run as they wash their hands. “You think it will be another week?”
“Maybe a month. Fucking lucky bitch. Pretty sure she’s getting dicked by all of them.” The girl groans. “But they can’t be serious about her. She’s no one. Like literally.”
“It’s so random that she was the last virgin. If I’d known, I would have held out.”
“No you wouldn’t have.” The girl laughs. “You’re such a whore.”
“I know.” The other one giggles.
I draw in a breath and let it out. Their voices fade as they leave the bathroom.
They didn’t say anything I haven’t thought. Iamno one.
I don’t know whatpunishmentthey did to Rebecca, but that might explain why she was so cold to them in the restaurant, when most girls just want more from them. It explains why she changed schools too.
