CHAPTER 1
The Petition
Nico
Of all the things I thought I’d return to, a standoff between my friends and cheerleaders wasn’t one of them. The guys I’ve seen at football camps over the years, but the girls I only remember from when I was in sixth grade.
“Nico will join the football team,” Luke says. “He’s one of us.”
Sidney’s calculated gaze turns to me. “You don’t let just any football player hang out with you.”
“Nico isn’t just some football player.” Eli steps forward. “He’s a horseman.”
Sidney’s mouth drops open and she hesitates. Everyone knows you don’t fuck with the horsemen on the football field. We’ve used the name every year at football camp, the only time I get to see the guys. It was one of my parents’ concessions when we moved away.
The five of us have been connected almost since birth, but the horsemen is ours. It’s who we are. They told me they used the name at school too. But I had no idea how far they’ve taken it.
When the opportunity to come back for my senior year presented itself, I seized it. To get to be part of the horsemen again. To finally return to the place that feels like home. To return to the girl that feels like home.
Harper. I was also hoping to rekindle my friendship and more with her. Especially after seeing her at the football game. She’s always been pretty, but now she’s gorgeous.
I’m not surprised they’ve claimed her.
I don’t turn around to look at her with Caden. Watching Luke paw her was enough to make me burn inside. I knew coming back was a gamble, but I hoped Harper would still be free. That we could find something new together. Best friends with something more.
So many times before this year, I thought about reaching out, but what would be the point? I was in New York and she was here. Part of me didn’t want to hear about how she was getting by without me. Who she was dating. I could have reached out before we moved back, but by then it had been so long…
Tonight, she didn’t mention a boyfriend. Even though Luke has kept her on his lap, the way Caden holds her I can’t tell which one of the guys she’s with.
“There are only four horsemen,” Emma Garcia says with her hand on her hip and a welcoming look in her eyes for me. These girls didn’t look twice at me when I was a scrawny sixth grader.
Sure, they’re hot and they know it. The scraps of fabric they call clothing flaunt their assets. If I give them even a hint I’m interested, I could be balls deep in any of them before tonight is over.
I never really had to work hard for female attention at my old school. But there’s only one girl who I’ve thought about for years and couldn’t have, until now. These bitches don’t hold a candle to her.
But I don’t know where I stand with Harper. If it’s too late.
“Nico is Apocalypse.” Luke steps closer to the group of girls. He’s a cold bastard. Death always suited him. “He’s one of us.”
“Does that mean he gets to play with your pet? Or is he eligible?” Hannah raises her eyebrow. She twists her finger into her curly black hair and gives me a wink.
A stone sinks in my gut. Pet? Fuck, is that what Harper is? Their goddamned pet? What the fuck happened while I was gone?
I can’t help but glance back at Harper. Caden’s hand is dark tan against the pale skin of her midriff. She’s relaxed in hisarms like this is a normal thing. I noticed her tension when Luke held her, but right now, she appears content to let Caden touch her.
That spark of jealousy rips through me again. How can she be with them? Is she with all of them? What the fuck happened to the girl I knew, and who is this gorgeous creature before me?
And why doesn’t their claim make me want her any less?
Luke glances at me with a smirk. “Apocalypse just moved back. For all we know, he’s already taken.”
“Are you?” Hannah asks. She wets her red lips.
Fuck. Way to put me on the spot. If I say no, these chicks will assume I’m fair game. But I came back with one girl in mind, and that might not be possible if she’s their pet. Fuck.
Luke’s eyes narrow on me, but he turns to the girls with no expression on his face. “We’ll get back to you on that. Now state your business.”
Sidney smiles as she tosses her blond hair over her shoulder. Her green eyes are shrewd. “We figured you could use more company. After all, there doesn’t appear to be enough Harper to go around.”
