“Good.” Keep it short and to the point so she doesn’t get suspicious.
“Any issues?”
“Nope. Her house is nice, and her mom was friendly. I slept well.” I give her a smile. “Much better than staying alone in the house.”
“And hanging out with the guys went well?”
I sit at the table. “Yes, they were all gentlemen. We played a high stakes game of Chutes and Ladders.”
Mom shakes her head. “As long as it’s not hide the salami?—”
“Ew, Mom.” I laugh, but my heart races a little harder. How long can I really expect to keep this a secret from my mom? The dating thing is going to come up. What happens at Homecoming? Are we even going together? As a group?
“You okay, Harper?” Mom’s tone dips into concern.
I blow out a breath and tuck my hair behind my ear. My gaze blurs on the book in front of me. “A lot is going on with the guys and some girls at school. I’m not used to the attention, I guess.”
“Make sure you take care of yourself first, before all the drama.” Mom clasps her hands in front of her. “It’s fun to have that kind of attention and distraction, but if you lose yourself in it, what’s the point?”
It’s all new and exciting right now. The guys and I are just getting warmed up. But what happens in a month? Three months? What about when I have my period? Is this all our relationship (if you can call it that) will be? Sex?
When the guys told me their numbers of sexual partners, they said how long it had been. A week and a half, two weeks, a month. Right? So we don’t have to have sex every night of the week. Maybe they’re taking advantage of the fact they have access this week. Or maybe it’s new and shiny.
I’m too damn curious not to take advantage.
“Hey?” Mom sounds concerned. “You faded out there for a bit.”
“Just thinking.” I set my backpack on the chair beside me. “I’m going to do some homework before going to Nico’s for dinner tonight.”
“You’re having dinner at Nico’s?” Mom perks up.
“Yeah, his mom wants the guys and me to come over for dinner.” I open my book. Nico said he told his mother I’m his girlfriend. It’s not really a lie. But it’s not all of the truth.
I’m not sure what we’re doing could be considered boyfriend and girlfriend. While I kind of had a choice in the matter, I also didn’t. We’re not exactly going out on dates and spending time getting to know each other.
No, we’re rushing off to have a quickie at lunch. Which may be normal teenage dating. How would I know?
“I don’t know what to think about this, Harper. I’ve heard of group dating, where it’s a bunch of guys and girls going out together to hang out, but just you and a group of guys seems a little progressive?” She saysprogressivelike she’s not sure it’s the word she’s looking for.
“We’re not dating.” I shrug, though it feels like we are, but we aren’t. We’re definitely fucking now, but no one is trying to get to know me better. Caden talks about our future. That’s about as close as we come.
We’ve gone to parties together. We’ve slept together. We’re exclusive. But we’re not dating.
“I honestly don’t know what I’m doing,” I admit and turn in my chair to meet Mom’s eyes. “I like them all.” Mostly. “But I don’t want to date just one of them. We’re all going to college next year, and everything will change.”
“Then have fun this year.” Mom stands and brushes off her pajama pants. “You don’t have to settle on one guy. They seem to all want to hang out together. So maybe friendship is all you guys have this year. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
I’d laugh if I didn’t think it would raise more questions. Sure, friends. “Friends would be nice.”
CHAPTER 64
Hostile Environment
Nico
I wait in the living room while Mom finishes in the kitchen. I’ve never been this anxious about having someone over. My mom met most of my girlfriends. We even had dinner with them, but this feels different.
Harper means more than those girls.
