Page 156 of Their Cruel Play
“Since you two are a little behind because of yesterday, your assignment will be due tomorrow by end of class. You can bring Caden up to speed.” Ms. Sullivan backs away.
Caden pulls out the chair next to me and drops into it.
“Well played, Ross.” Tanner claps his hands lightly, to not draw the attention of Ms. Sullivan.
Caden’s smile is fake as he nods at Tanner. “I figured it was my turn to move.”
“Would you like to see Tanner’s answers to my questions?” I look at Tanner as I uncrumple the paper. He grabs the paper out of my hand and glares at me.
“What’s wrong, Tanner?” I give him a wide eyed, innocent look. “Don’t want me to share with Caden?”
Caden looks between the two of us. “Enough with the bullshit, Tanner. I’m not going to tank my GPA because youwant to throw a hissy fit to my girlfriend every day. So straighten up or I’ll go to Ms. Sullivan and tell her the real reason I’m here.”
Tanner presses his lips together. Caden rests his hand on my knee below the table and stops my leg from bouncing. I draw in a breath and let it out.
“We need to work on the project.” Caden removes his hand and sets his tablet on the table. “What are we doing and how do we need to collaborate?”
CHAPTER 43
The Scuttlebutt
Caden
We talked about it over the weekend. Tanner keeps upping his game with Harper, and she’s not going to be able to work on this project with him if he doesn’t start actually working. Ms. Sullivan wanted me in the class, so I made a deal with her.
For my AP class, I can get the notes from Jack, and as long as I’m there the first half, I should stay on target. Then the second half of the period, I’ll come to art. But my only insistence was that I be able to work with Harper.
Ms. Sullivan loved the idea, and my AP teacher was on board. It would look good on my transcript for college. If I don’t tank the AP class, everyone will be happy.
Well, everyone except Tanner, who looks like he swallowed a bunch of pins. I hope he chokes on them. I was hoping he’d be a non-issue and Ms. Sullivan would reassign him after his bullshit with Harper yesterday. But Ms. Sullivan has a sweet spot for bad boys.
Luke is worried about me handling being around Tanner, but I’ll do anything to protect Harper. He’s not digging his claws into my girl. Not this time.
I couldn’t protect my sister because I didn’t see it coming. This time I’m on to Tanner.
“The idea is to combine our styles, but still be able to see the artist in the designs.” Harper actually looks a little giddy. She smiles. Good. I worried that after our talk she’d think I wasn’t trusting her.
Tanner is being a bitch boy and not saying anything. I hope he tells the teacher I’m his bully and then it will be just me and Harper working on the project. The girl in the office told me about how Tanner was being bullied, but he wouldn’t tell anyone the names of his bullies for fear of retribution.
He has everyone snowed. Honestly, the administration probably knows it’s us, but there’s not much they can do. My dad and Luke’s would tear into them if they did anything to punish us. Eli’s family contributes to the foundation and so does Jack’s.
We aren’t going anywhere. We’re untouchable and that includes Harper. That’s the reminder Tanner needs when he tries to mess with our girl.
“We need to fill out the information in the sheet to decide on a design that works for all of us.” Harper hands me a piece of paper. Her cheeks flush.
Last night I kept her awake all night, making her come until she couldn’t come down. I wish I could still taste her. There’s the kiln room in the class. I’ve never taken anyone back there, but with Harper, I’m tempted.
She arches an eyebrow at me like she knows what I’m thinking. I look down at the sheet.
“I mostly do sculpture work. My style is fairly minimalist.” I glance over the other questions.
“I’ve always enjoyed seeing what you were creating.” Harper’s voice is soft like she’s trying to exclude Tanner.
He scoffs. “Thought you didn’t want to be their little pet.”
I chuckle. “That’s the best you have?”
He lifts his gaze to mine, and for a minute, his anger and rage is in full force before he hides it behind a fake smile. “You know me. I prefer closed doors, and making sure she takes it all.”
