Page 104 of Silk Sheets

My throat closed up, and goosebumps trailed up my nape with rapid speed.

“I’m really sorry that you all had to go through that,” I began, trying to calm my tremulous voice. “But I—” I cut myself off, shaking my head in denial. They loved her. They didn’t have to say it, but I know they did. And now… now she’s back. The perfect submissive they’d spent three years with. And I— “I’m sorry,” I choked out, getting to my feet.

I’m going to lose them, I—bile burned my throat, stirring an uneasiness in my stomach.

“Sorry,” I blurted out. I couldn’t be in this room. So I left. And I didn’t look back.

TWENTY-SIX

DAKOTA

“Dakota! Good news!” Daisy beamed as she rushed towards me. “You don’t have to go on stage anymore.”

“What do you mean? We need the money,” I asked in confusion, and she shook her head.

It was our annual fair fundraiser and the cheer team—like every other year—was in charge of the ring toss, kissing booth, and milk bottle knockdown.

The kissing booth wasn’t our favorite, but we soon realized that it was the most popular on campus—for obvious reasons. Thankfully, it only included a peck, no tongue, and I was immensely grateful.

Daisy pulled a white slip from her bra, and handed it to me. “Not anymore.”A cheque.

“Who’s it from?” I asked, looking up at her.

“No clue,” she shrugged. “The donor wanted to stay anonymous to the cheer team. Only the headmaster knows since he brought it to me not too long ago.”

I dropped my eyes to the cheque, scanning it thoroughly.Of course. C. Madden. Signed in perfect calligraphy.

“So there’s just no kissing booth?” I asked, looking back at the guys all lined up, waiting to buy tickets in anticipation.

“Well, since we have the money now, we can just kick the kissing booth off our list,” she shrugged. “Since it’s the only one the girls dread doing.”Right.

I glanced around, handing her back the cheque. “I’ll be right back,” I forced a smile and she skipped away in excitement.

My eyes darted all over the place, taking in the bright neon lights and people roaming up and down as I looked for that handsome little shit.

It had gotten dark already, so it was quite difficult to try and spot him amongst the giant crowd. Plus, if people weren’t carrying around a gigantic stuffed animal, it was a huge piece of cotton candy.

Instead, my eyes landed on Logan and Kaden standing far away from everyone with their backs toward me. I’d recognise Logan’s side profile anywhere.

After I left that dreadful afternoon, I went to my parents’ house and stayed there for a few days. I just needed space, and the guys understood that. I hadn’t talked to them, and I most definitely wasn’t planning on telling them about the kissing booth.

“What are you two doing here?” I asked, and they turned around to face me.

“It’s a carnival,” Logan shrugged.

“Where’s Chase?” I ran my eyes over the perimeter.

“Kaden, do you remember signing up to be Chase’s babysitter?” Logan asked, and I forced a mocking smile. Kaden shook his head, and I glued my hands to my hips.

“Well, didyouknow about the cheque?”

“Who do you think gave him the idea?” Kaden asked.

“How did you know I was working at the kissing booth?” I questioned, taking the slushy that Logan couldn’t stop drinking. I nervously chugged some down to cool the burning fire inside of me.

“College guys talk.A lot,” Logan emphasized, and I finished the drink, tossing it into one of the bins.

“Of course,” I mumbled.