Page 26 of Their Cruel Play
Where are you?
Why aren’t you in the bathroom?
Are you getting any of these texts?
If I have to go into the boys locker room to get your guys, I will
Okay, the assistant coach wouldn’t let me in, but I’ll wait
Jack said Caden had you
You okay?
Me:
Yes, but no. Talk later. At party?
Kenz:
*heart emoji*
I lean my head back on the headrest. I’m so tired suddenly, but I have to make an appearance tonight. That asshole can’t win or know he’s shaken me.
It’s bad enough Sidney probably thinks she won when I disappeared during the first quarter.
The noise of the stadium vanishes into the background. The streetlights guide the way to Caden’s house. It’s quiet and dark.The silence is soothing. When he pulls into the garage, he turns the car off, but doesn’t move to get out.
“Do you remember anything about him?”
I turn my head to him. “He seemed about Luke sized and proportioned. Otherwise, he was covered head to toe in black. I saw him for a second before I dove into the closet. I might be able to pick out his voice. We talked for a while. I figured it would keep him busy and tell me where he was in the room.”
“Come on, we’ll get something to eat in the kitchen. Maybe tonight would be a good night to get drunk.” He blows out a breath.
My cheeks heat, thinking about the last time I was drunk at a party. “Maybe.”
When we get inside, he makes us sandwiches and carries our plate into the theater room. He startsZombielandand draws me into his side as we eat. When I finish, he takes my plate and wraps his arm around me.
This is what I need right now. I snuggle into him.
Caden
Her soft snores make my heart ache. There’s all this rage and anger, but right now, I’m just offering her peace. The way she flung herself at me and clung to me...
Fuck, what if I hadn’t checked my phone to see where she was? What if I’d gone out and played the second half, not knowing she was in danger?
How long could she have held that door shut from someone like Luke? My fingers dig into her soft skin, but I ease up.
She’s curled against me. I never want to let this girl go. She’s mine, and I’ll fight anyone who tries to take her away, including Harper herself.
But Jack’s right, we need her to trust us, and we need to trust her.
I’m sure she and I still have shit to work out, but I’m here for it. I’m here for her.
The movie ends, and I shut off the screen. For a few minutes it’s just me and her. I rest my eyes, knowing she’s safe here.
The door opens, and I turn. Luke, Eli, Jack, and Nico walk into the room. They’re quiet as they sit and stand around me and Harper.
By now, the party is in full swing downstairs, but I didn’t have the heart to wake her. I just wanted to hold her a little longer.
