Page 144 of Their Wicked Secrets: Untouched, Vol 5 of 6

He shot his shot and failed.

My chest loosens as I draw in a breath.

We haven’t figured out our fathers’ drama yet, but we’ve got our friend looking into it. But if Zach and Tanner are the reason for all the issues so far, then we’re almost there. Maybe they have a few loyalists who won’t get swept up if Zach gets in trouble, but hopefully those guys won’t have the same power.

“Do you think Sidney will get kicked off the cheer team?” Kenz asks. “I mean, is there even a team without her?”

I look out over the crowd and see Ashley and Hannah with some of the other cheerleaders. They seem content to just dance. Ashley saved me tonight. If Zach had gotten ahold of me before the guys could get there, I don’t know that I could have fought him and his buddies off.

A shiver goes through me. The guys mentioned a potential camera in the shower room. Is that where he planned to rape me? Or did they always want to try to get one of my guys in trouble for fighting?

Ashley isn’t suddenly my friend, but I definitely appreciate her now. She also knows when she has a losing hand. She’s not coming for Eli. Unlike Sidney, who’s still after Luke. I don’t know what we can do to get it through her head.

But this “prank” that they pulled will have consequences. It wasn’t just a few random students. They shut off the lights during the Homecoming game for the whole school and fair. If there’s one thing this school respects, it is its football. And the fair brings in a lot of money for the school.

“I don’t know how they’ll punish her.” I turn to meet Kenz’s eyes and smile. “But she’s not winning Homecoming Queen at least.”

Kenz laughs. “No, she won’t even be there. Fuck, Harper, we can actually have a good time.”

Kenz shakes my arm, and I laugh. When she smiles, I follow her gaze to Brandon making his way over to us with drinks. They seem in a good place again.

I glance toward the door. The only things missing from this party are Luke and Caden. I hope they didn’t run into trouble.

CHAPTER 43

The Reinforcements

Eli

The party is crowded and boisterous. I find a group of football players downstairs at the pool table. It feels like everyone is at this one party tonight, which is unusual. Maybe it’s the only party. I’ve seen quite a few of Ava’s friends bouncing around and flirting. Even a few freshmen pass me by.

Before I can head over to the football guys and see if they want to do a sparring match later on, someone grabs my arm.

“Eli.”

When I turn, Ava looks up at me. I glance around but she’s alone.

“Where’s Caden?” Ava looks around me like I’m hiding him behind my back.

“Not here.” I raise an eyebrow at her touching my arm.

She yanks her hand away like she didn’t even realize it was there. “I need to speak with him.”

I glance around for the JV guys or Zoey. They’re supposed to be watching her even at parties. We’ll need to have a talk with them about this. Maybe even tell them not to bring her to parties anymore. When I look down at her, she rolls her eyes.

“I gave them the slip.” She straightens even though she’s still short. “It’s not that hard when they’re flirting with other girls.”

Is that a note of bitterness in her tone? Caden won’t be happy if one of those guys dates his sister. He’d be even less happy with them if one of them slept with her. But that’s not my problem right now.

“He’ll be here later.” I turn to step away as I see Zoey hurrying this way with a determined look. Good.

“Wait.” Ava looks over her shoulder and cringes as Zoey spots her. “Some girls were talking about Harper at the game.”

I glance around. No one is nearby that we consider a threat, but fuck, we can’t be sure about anyone. I grab Ava’s arm. “Come on.”

“What?” Ava says in shock.

“Found you.” Zoey lets out a huge breath. “Stop giving the guys the slip.”