Page 185 of Their Cruel Play
“He was drunk. You’re lucky he didn’t press charges.” Some of my anger boils over. “You had a choice always. Yes, a lot of the time the choices they give you are sucky, but you can always decide. You found Eli at his lowest when you knew he didn’t have his friends to pull him back, and you took advantage of him.”
Her lips press into a thin line. “You know he fucked me at a party and then left and fucked another girl in front of me. Do you know who does that shit? Psychopaths. They’re all a bunch of psychopaths.”
I take a deep breath and smile. “Well, then, they’re my psychopaths.”
CHAPTER 51
The Command Center
Luke
Harper comes out of the bathroom with a look of determination. I didn’t know talking about her father would upset her. I don’t think about my mother much. Maybe she was a good woman. Maybe she made my father a better man when she was alive.
It doesn’t matter because she died, and he either was always a monster or became a monster. All I know is he’s my monster that I have to deal with for one more year.
When Harper slides into the booth, her vanilla scent fills my nose, making me want to lean into her and take a bite. She’s addictive, and I can’t imagine not having access to her now.
She captures my attention. There’s still this innocence that clings to her. Even with everything going on, she’s not jaded yet. She leans in and presses a kiss against my lips. It startles me. She doesn’t always lead and usually doesn’t in public. Before I can grab the back of her neck and deepen the kiss, she pulls back.
“What was that for?” I glance up as Rebecca spins on her heel. I narrow my gaze on the girl. She’s a fucking thorn in our side. What happened with her never should have been allowed to stand.
“I can’t wait to leave this town behind.” Harper’s words are bitter and harsh.
I slide my hand under hers and tangle our fingers together. “As long as I go with you.”
She softens and squeezes my hand. “Can we pay and leave now?”
Her plate is mostly empty. I finished my burger and fries. “If that’s what you want.”
“I do.” She’s upset about something, but I’ll figure it out when we get out of here. Away from all these prying eyes. While she was in the bathroom, I spoke to the table of guys about what would happen if they looked at my girl again. They left shortly after.
I don’t care that it’s not Harper’s body in those pictures. They’re imagining it is, and I’m not cool with that. They’re lucky I didn’t break their phones or hands or faces.
Fuck. The anger still burns inside me. We need to find out who put that image out there. Sidney better run if she’s the one who did it.
Rebecca comes over and places the bill down on the table without looking at either of us. “You can pay me when you’re ready.”
I put my credit card down, and she takes it without another word. Harper’s lips press into a tight line. I long to ease that tension with my touch, but I don’t want her to think that’s all I want from her.
“Do you want to talk about it?” My voice is low and quiet.
“Not yet,” she squeezes my hand. Her eyes lock with mine. “But I will.”
And that’s enough. She’s opening up to us. She’s letting us in.
When Rebecca stops with the receipt, I sign it and leave a large tip. I slide out of the booth and offer my hand to helpHarper out. We head outside, and the noise of the diner falls behind us.
Harper turns to look over her shoulder but continues with me to the car. As soon as we get in, she turns to me.
“Rebecca stopped me in the bathroom.” Harper tells me what happened with Rebecca and shrugs. “She doesn’t know me or you guys.”
“You don’t think we’re psychopaths?” I arch an eyebrow.
She shakes her head. “Maybe sociopaths, but not psychopaths. I don’t think.”
She gives me an assessing look up and down. Shrugging, she glances out the window. “Whatever. I like you guys the way you are.”
My heart beats a little harder. “You like me?”
