Page 85 of The Cheerleader is Off Limits

Sam:

Who snitched!!

Me:

If the cops show up and you guys all get citations, you can kiss starting the rest of the season goodbye. Also, if you’re eighteen, you’ll get a second charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor for those under eighteen.

Ruddy:

Coach, are you there? Is shit still crazy?

Me:

No.

Sam:

Are you coming to pick up Margot? I know she mentioned being ready to go and was probably going to call you. I swear everything’s under control.

My heart practically slams in my chest the second Sloane gets in the car. “Sorry, I wanted to let Delaney know I was leaving. She’s fine, though. Thank you for coming,” she says and gives me a sad smile. She looks gorgeous despite the black smudges beneath her eyes, and I reach across the console and gently wipe my thumb under them.

I cannot leave Margot here. Had I known she was here, I would have come to get her a long time ago.

I let out a sigh. “My niece is in there.”

Her wide eyes flit out the window and then back to me. “Oh… I don’t think I know your niece.”

“Her name is Margot. She’s a cheerleader for the team we played tonight.”

“Oh! I think I met her.”

“I can’t leave here without her.”

“I get it,” she says, starting to open the door.

“What are you doing? I am not leaving you.”

“But…”

“I will figure it out. She’s my niece. I’m not worried about her ratting me out to the school. But I can’t leave her here knowing she’s ready to go.”

Me:

Where are you?

Margot:

Who wants to know!

Me:

Margot Juliette, now is not the time.

Margot:

Party, why?

Me: