Page 192 of Their Cruel Play
“It’s not entirely stupid.” Jack sighs and leans back. “The assistant coach sometimes drives. I can ask if he could bring Harper to the game.”
“Fuck, Jack.” Caden looks pissed. “You ended that shit.”
“It’s not like that.” Jack turns to Harper. “Coach Turner and I had a fling before school started and before we knew I’d be on his football team. But that all ended when we found out.”
Caden scoffs. We all knew there was something there, but we don’t push each other for that kind of information. If it had become necessary to know, Jack would have told us.
“He texted me once in a weak moment, and we both ended it shortly after. I didn’t go to him then because I was with you.” Jack takes Harper’s hand. “It could have been a loophole, but I honored our arrangement to the intent, not the wording. I don’t want him. Not when I have you.”
She nods and cups his jaw. “We’re good, Jack.”
“If he drives her, we’d know she got there. He might even let her stay in his office until the game starts. Then she can go up to the stands and watch. He did let me know he heard some jocks talking about her during P.E. class.” Jack’s gaze bounces between us all. “It’s an option unless you want her riding with the wannabes.”
Caden grunts, clearly unhappy. He watches Jack like he wants to haul him outside and knock some sense into him. Maybe there’s more to this fling than Jack is letting on.
“Or maybe I just stay home?” Harper offers. “You’ve got it rigged with a security system. I’m sure you all have links to it.”
“We’d rather be close enough to stop something from happening then watch it happen and be powerless.” I squeeze her hand. It’s odd. I’ve never really held a girl’s hand before, not unless I was leading her into the bedroom or somewhere else to fuck her.
Harper blows out a breath. “What if I drive myself or Kenz comes with?”
“One, tire. Two...” Caden’s eyes narrow on her. Jack and I aren’t the only ones still suspicious of the best friend.
She arches an eyebrow and crosses her arms. Or at least, she tries to cross her arms, but I don’t release her hand. She glares at our linked hands, but I lift them and brush my lips across her knuckles. Her eyes soften with that warmth that makes something almost hurt inside me.
“Jack, check with the assistant coach. If he’s driving separately, he might be a good option to make sure she gets there in one piece.” Luke’s voice is commanding. “Now, how to flush out a mole, and then we need to figure out how to deal with the major players. I don’t like that Zach walks around unpunished for what he tried with Harper.”
“At least he’s not spreading it around.” It could be much worse. It’s a challenge, but he’s not really following through onit. The guy who broke in was about Zach’s size, but also Tanner’s. “Was it just her virginity Zach wanted?”
“That’s the question. Is he finished or is he just waiting for another opportunity to strike?”
Harper rests her head against my shoulder at Luke’s words. A little shiver shakes through her. Whatever we do, we need to make sure she’s protected. There’s only one Harper, and she’s the only one for us.
CHAPTER 53
The Tactical Nap
Eli
Nico passes me a drink. We’ve been talking for a while. Harper fell asleep on Caden’s lap. She’s so peaceful right now. Safe.
“Do we want to tell each of the guys something different?” Jack asks. He moved earlier and Caden took his spot. His knee bounces like he’s hopped up on energy drinks. Knowing Jack, he probably is.
He’s talking about the six football players we thought we could trust. Who knew about what was going down with Grant. One of them might be a mole. They’re the only ones who had all the information. Or they’re sloppy. Either way we need to narrow it down so we know who to trust.
Or we need to really look at Kenz, even if Harper doesn’t want us to.
“We say we need them to have someone watch out for Harper while we’re at the game.” Luke leans back like a king reclining on his throne. “Three different locations. Three differentHarpersto protect.”
“That means we’ll narrow it down to two of the players.” I nod, easier than having to suspect all six. “But Harper will be with us, and the guys will know if she rides with Coach Turner.”
“I can block their cell phones on the bus and in the locker room.” Jack smirks. “I found this little gadget I’ve been dying to play with.”
“It won’t stop one of the cheerleaders from telling someone if they’re in on it.” I meet Luke’s gaze. “Sidney’s close with Zach.”
“It’s a risk. Unless any of the football players or Zack tell Sidney the plan, she wouldn’t have a reason to tell anyone.” Luke shrugs. “Besides, Jack’s already checking Sidney’s text messages, so we’ll know if she sends something.”
Jack nods. “So three decoys and we have the wannabes with them?”
