Page 17 of Their Wicked Secrets: Untouched, Vol 5 of 6

He’s out of surgery and doing fine

Taking him home

He’ll text this afternoon

Releasing my breath, I sit down in my chair for art. Nico’s been on my mind all morning as I ignored the looks from all the other students. I forgot about being nominated to the Homecoming Court for this morning at least. I pull up my text conversation with Nico.

Me:

*heart emoji*

I’d send I love you but we don’t know if anyone is reading my texts. I slide my phone into my pocket as Tanner walks in. His eyes narrow on me as he cuts across the classroom. A chill washes over me.

One of the reasons Zach is after me is because of Tanner’s revenge plot.

“I figured you’d be out this morning.” He takes the chair next to me and looks me up and down.

I’m glad I didn’t wear anything revealing. His attention is unnerving. Why the hell would he say that? Does he know what happened to my mom? Or is he just making another lewd comment? Do I even bother with a reply? No, I should just wait until Caden gets here. He’ll set Tanner right.

“When you guys didn’t show to parties this weekend, figured they were busy fucking you all weekend.” Tanner chuckles like he made a joke. “Do you enjoy being their whore, Harper?”

My cheeks heat, but I keep my attention straight forward. I’m not even going to give this creep a crumb. If this is how they plan to break me, it won’t work.

“Hey, Tanner.” Kenz stops beside me. Her warm hand rests on my shoulder. “Did you know the statute of limitation on rape is six years? Do you need the definition, or would you like me to explain to you what consent is? I have an excellent analogy to go along with the discussion.”

She tips her head and regards him like she seriously wants to know, but there’s a hardness in her eyes. Does she know something? When Tanner showed up at my place and Caden hit him, the guys mentioned videos that include girls. Someone said Tanner’s collection could ruin others, which is why the guys haven’t used them.

Tanner smirks and leans back like he doesn’t have a care in the world. “Do you know who my family is? The lawyers we hire? You think some of these guys charged with rape get off with a slap on the wrist? I won’t even get that.”

“You’re an asshole.” Kenz shakes her head and squeezes my shoulder before heading to the back of class.

Ms. Sullivan comes in then and stands in front of her desk with her hands folded in front of her. Everyone quiets while we wait for her to talk.

“I’m going to come around to each group today to see where you are in our project. It can be difficult to merge styles when you have such different ideas, but I want to make sure everyone is making sufficient progress.”

Angela Harris, Nico’s partner, raises her hand. “Ms. Sullivan?”

“Yes, Angela?” Ms. Sullivan gives her her full attention.

“Since Nico is out with an injury and Harper has two partners.” Angela’s eyes sweep over me dismissively. “Maybe I can get help from Caden while Nico is out?”

Oh, fuck no. I study Ms. Sullivan. She was excited to put Caden and I together as a team. That’s probably the reason Caden gave her for coming to the class. But if Angela wants Tanner, she can have him.

“I don’t know that it would be fair to split up a group at this point.” Ms. Sullivan taps her finger against her lip. “But if you’d like additional input, you could join their group or another group while Nico is healing.”

Ms. Sullivan beams.

Angela’s smile droops. That wasn’t what she wanted. What’s she playing at anyway? She wanted Nico. Does she want Caden now? Her name was on Caden’s list, and Jack’s, and Eli’s. They haven’t said if they shared her, but it could be a possibility.

My stomach rolls. I don’t even want to contemplate that. I don’t want to think about my guys with other girls. They’ve never been with a girl like me before, and that’s what I have to cling to.

I got their first I love you. They all love me. My heartbeat steadies.

Angela gives me a plastic smile before saying to Ms. Sullivan, “I could use some help.”

“Okay, but I expect you to present Nico’s and your project today.” Ms. Sullivan continues to talk about where she wants us to be and the order she’ll be going through. Ours is the last group since Caden is only in for half the class.

When Ms. Sullivan starts with Kenz and Natalie, Angela picks up her books and moves to the seat Caden always takes.