Page 161 of Their Cruel Play
I pick up the skirt and nod. “Yeah, it’s appropriate.”
“Have fun.” She gives me a small wave before heading down the hallway to her room. I showed her the security system whenshe woke up. It’s fancier than what she would have picked, but I reminded her that the guys were concerned with my safety.
She didn’t miss the hickey on my neck. But she didn’t say anything about it.
I decide on the outfit I wore my first day of school. When I got spanked in front of the cafeteria. At least today nothing happened. The Cheermonsters and their basketball players stuck to their table. Besides the looks from Ashley.
Maybe they’re lulling us into dropping our guard. Pretty sure I’ll get spanked if I try to go off on my own anywhere again.
I still want to know about Rebecca, but when I texted Kenz, she didn’t know the whole story. Those girls in the bathroom did, so someone knows. Probably a lot of people I don’t know know.
But how do I bring it up to Penny and her group? There’s no guarantee they’ll know anything.
And if they ask for a favor to spill the beans, then Eli will punish me. A little shiver flows through me as I finish my makeup. I’m not sure his kind of punishments will keep me from misbehaving.
The doorbell rings, and I give myself a quick onceover. I don’t look like the same girl as my first day of school. My makeup is a little bolder, even the way I hold myself is a little braver. I release a breath.
This is who I am now.
As soon as I get downstairs, I see Mom answering the door. Nico stands there with his dark hair hanging almost over his eyes. He wears a buttoned shirt with dark jeans and a pair of Converse. When he sees me, he smiles, and a giddy rush of awareness flows through me.
“I brought you flowers.” He holds out a bouquet of wildflowers.
My eyes widen, and my heart stalls before beating a little harder. No one’s ever brought me flowers. My lips curve into a smile I couldn’t hold back if I tried.
Mom steps back into the kitchen. She grins at me. “You look good, Harper. You two have fun. Be safe.”
“Have a good night at work.” I step past her and take the flowers. I bring them to my nose and breathe in the fresh scent. “Thank you.”
He smiles. “No one mows that field we used to watch clouds in. It’s filled with flowers.”
Okay, that makes my heart skip a little as I reach for a glass and fill it with water to put the flowers in. He stopped to pick me flowers.
“Are you ready to go?” He holds his hand out to me.
“Am I dressed appropriately?” I glance down at my Nirvana t-shirt, thinking maybe I should change.
He closes the distance between us and tips my chin up. Our eyes meet, and for a second my heart stops before accelerating.
“You look perfect, sunshine.” His dark eyes draw me in.
I swallow around the sudden lump in my throat. He takes my hand, and I grab my wallet before we go out the door.
“I know I don’t have you all night, but I hope I can bring you home a little late.” Nico opens the door to his car for me and I get in.
“All my homework is done.” I shrug as he joins me.
“Good.” He starts the car and Missio “Easy” plays on the radio.
I grin. “I love this song.”
“Me too.”
I settle into the seat as he drives us out of my neighborhood and to a burger restaurant, where he pulls into a parking spot.
“Burgers, good?” He searches my eyes like I might not be honest.
“Yes, burgers would be good.” I soften at his apparent nervousness.
