Page 98 of Their Wicked Secrets: Untouched, Vol 5 of 6

“No one heard,” Jack says for the hundredth time. “I’m on the other side of the house from their bedrooms. The kitchen is on that side of the house too. You have nothing to worry about.”

Except this is Jack’s house, and his little sister lives here. And my mom would have been home and might have been awake and checking on us.

“Can we just stay home sick?” I lift my gaze to Jack’s.

The smile he gives me warms my heart, but he shakes his head. “Come on. This won’t be the worst thing you face this week. If someone comments, just say you had a charley horse.”

I roll my eyes. Like anyone’s going to believe that. Jack chuckles at my expression and takes my hand to drag me out of his bedroom. I follow him, wishing I’d put on jeans instead of a skirt. My ponytail bounces behind me.

“Good morning.” Robert is standing next to the stove cooking pancakes. I wish my face would cool down.

My stomach growls at the wonderful scent. Please don’t say anything about working up an appetite.

“Coffee is to the left, sweetie.” Mom’s voice draws my attention. She’s sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee. My heart calms at seeing her. She’s still in her scrubs from her shift at the hospital, but she’s here.

She’s here. It feels like I can breathe again. She’s my home.

I grin like a fool and head for the coffee. It’s hard to imagine a life without my mom in it. Just like I can’t imagine life with a dad. She’s been the only parent for me over the years. She’s all I needed.

When Jack hands me a coffee mug, I pour myself a cup and fill his cup too. My eyes meet his, and he smiles softly at my excitement at seeing my mom. Some of the darkness has faded under his eyes. Not sure how he slept with me on top of him, but he looks more rested than I’ve seen him. A few more nights of good sleep and maybe he won’t need caffeine at all.

The day feels brighter already. I take my cup and sit next to Mom.

“Good morning,” I chirp. Fuck, it feels good to have her here.

“Harper. Jack. I hope you slept well last night.” She arches an eyebrow, and my face heats. Fuck. I’d almost forgotten about that.

“Never better.” Jack grabs a plate of pancakes and puts it in front of me.

I don’t think my face can get any redder. If they didn’t know before, I probably just outed us.

“Daddy!” Lucy comes running into the kitchen and latches onto her father’s leg. “You made my favorite.”

I’ve never been more grateful for a distraction.

“I always do. Get your juice and sit at the table. I’ll bring you a plate.” Robert’s smile is soft for his daughter as he smooths her hair back from her face. Her devotion to him is obvious.

“I got you, Lucy.” Jack sets down a plate of pancakes for Lucy across from Mom and me.

“Thank you, Jacky.” Lucy grabs a juice box out of the refrigerator and sits across from me. “Do you like pancakes, Harper?”

“I do. What do you like on yours?” I give her a smile.

“Chocolate chips and whipped cream, but that’s only on weekends.” She pouts.

“I like powdered sugar and butter, but only on the weekends.” I give her a wink.

She smiles and grabs for the bowl of fruit on the table. Berries and bananas cover her pancakes, just like mine.

“What’s the plan for after school?” Mom asks.

I look up with my mouth full as Jack sits down next to me. He has a can of whipped cream and sprays some on Lucy’s and my pancakes with a wink. Lucy giggles.

“She’s been driving Nico home and staying there until we’re done with practice.” Jack grabs the bowl of fruit to top his pancakes before adding whipped cream.

“I didn’t see Harper’s car.” Mom looks toward the driveway like she can see through walls.

“It’s still at home.” I use my napkin to wipe my mouth. “Do you want me to come here instead?”