“MacKenzie and Natalie.” Ms. Sullivan puts the papers to the side after reading them. Okay, maybe Nico?
“Nico and Angela.”
Fuck.
I glance over at the girl, who preens at Nico. Angela Harris is a bombshell. Blond hair, hazel eyes, hourglass figure. Pretty sure she’s slept with at least two of the horsemen. And by the way she gives Nico a little finger wave, she wants to add to that count.
“Tanner and Harper.”
Shit. My eyes widen. I look up at Ms. Sullivan, but she’s moved on. Shit.
Nico’s jaw ticks as he glances back at Tanner. I don’t think Ms.Sullivan will care that my boyfriends hate Tanner Lewis and let me change partners. She keeps reading off names until she finishes. Dread pools in my stomach.
“Okay, now I want everyone to sit by their partners for the rest of the month. Make it quick.”
Kenz and Nico stand. Kenz squeezes my shoulder before she goes back to where Penny and Nat sit. Nico doesn’t move as Tanner comes up to take Kenz’s seat.
“Nico,” Angela calls out and waves her hand, like he couldn’t see her.
“You good?” Nico’s dark eyes search mine.
I shrug. I don’t really have a choice. This guy threatened me. Kind of. It would be a lot to explain to Ms. Sullivan. Penny already stands at the teacher’s desk, gesturing toward William Frank.
He’s almost as invisible as I was. Brown messy hair and blue eyes behind black-rimmed glasses. He’s a smaller guy, but still cute. As far as I know, he has no social standing. I’m not sure what Penny’s problem is with him.
But hell, I’d swap with Penny.
Just as I stand to go see if I can swap, Ms. Sullivan clears her throat. “No changes. For any circumstance.”
Penny sighs and stomps over to the table with William, sitting as far away as possible.
Nico squeezes my hand before he heads over to Angela. Tanner sits, facing forward, ignoring me. That works for me. I can’t get in trouble with the horsemen if I don’t engage with him. Not that I should get in trouble for being assigned to work with Tanner. But I’m sure Luke will find a way to make it my fault.
In fact, I’m pretty sure Luke would enjoy punishing me.
CHAPTER 50
New Information
Harper
Ms. Sullivan explains the project, taking her time to give detailed information about what she’s looking for and how she wants us to proceed. It’s a series of drawings of something in nature, like flowers or trees or animals, but each one should have a piece of both artists in it.
Basically she should be able to tell I added this element and my partner added that one. We have all month to work on it in class, but the art studio will be open after school to work on it as well.
“Get to know your partner. They’re going to be your new best friend for the next month.” Ms. Sullivan claps her hands like everyone should be happy. Pretty sure no one is happy about this deal.
I release a breath. The guys won’t be okay with this. Especially if I have to work alone with Tanner after school while they have football practice.
Glancing over at Nico and Angela, I see him introducing himself. It’s hard to remember he’s new to a lot of our classmates. How weird is it being back here and having to get reacquainted with everyone?
“Wishing you got to work with a horseman?” Tanner bites out.
My blood boils. I didn’t see the asshole before this weekend, but now that he’s shown his colors, I won’t forget.
“Anyone would be better than you.” I turn to Tanner and don’tdrop my gaze from his. I’m not about to dismiss what he said about me. He only wanted to use me to get to the horsemen. Message received. Just like Caden’s sister, I’m a means to an end and I’m not about to be used that way.
“I didn’t mean to come off as a dick on Sunday.” He thrusts his hand through his blond hair. His blue eyes are soft when he looks at me. “Those guys just rile me up. After what they did to my sister?—”
