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Harper slides onto my lap and tangles her fingers in my hair, cradling my head. “Where’d you go?”

I lean back on the couch, and she turns to straddle me. We had a talk about asking if we’re okay. It’s like everyone thinks that’s all that matters. But if either of us does zone out, we decided it’s better to ask where’d you go, knowing the other isn’t going to answer, but just acknowledging that we’re struggling is enough sometimes. She studies me like she’s checking on me, making sure I’m still here with her, with the guys.

“I’m ready to go home and play.” I stroke my thumb up and down her side.

She smiles, but that worry lingers in her eyes. I don’t know if it will ever go away after what we’ve been through. Maybe over time, my memories will fade. Better memories will be made with her and take up too much space to hold onto what happened.

“We should go then.” Harper leans in and kisses me. Not a simple brush of her lips, but a full-on, fuck my mouth kiss that wakes me up out of my mental fog. By the time we finally break apart, I’m present and definitely ready to go.

Penny

My father agreed to release my spy, at least the one I know of. It’s time I set my friends straight in case anyone gets any ideas. After all, I found out about Vicky, but I can’t be confident the other two aren’t being blackmailed too. My life is my own, and I’ll let my father know exactly what I need him to be aware of and nothing more.

Will walks behind me, our fingers intertwined. We haven’t spent a lot of time apart. He either sneaks out and into my room, or I sneak out and into his. Or we don’t bother with the sneaking.

His parents are just happy he has a girlfriend and isn’t spending all his time holed up in his bedroom alone anymore. I don’t think my father cares about whether I have a sex life or not.

My father is going out of town next week, leaving me the house to myself. I could ask Luke if I could stay at Caden’s, but Will’s already planning on being in my bed the whole week. I can’t wait. Besides, I need to get used to spending the nights alone in the house at some point.

Izzy is laughing at something Nat said while Vicky covers her smile in the background. These three were supposed to be my ride or die friends. At least I thought they were.

Will I ever be able to trust them? Is it possible to trust anyone in this town? Everyone has a motive. It’s loyalty that I need.

Nat sees me and her eyes light up. “Penny! Oh my god, I have the best joke to tell you.”

“Maybe later.” I stop, and Will wraps his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder. I love being in his arms, feeling safe and protected. I’ve had boyfriends before, but no one’s looked at me like Will does.

“So, we haven’t seen a lot of you this week,” Vicky says and takes a drink from her cup. “How have you been?”

Izzy smirks. “Looks like she’s loved up again. Good for you. Hey, Will.”

His cheek rises against mine as he smiles. I’ve never felt as comfortable with another person as I do with Will. He almost died trying to give me a chance to escape. And he knows I would have killed Tanner for what I thought he had done.

I lean back into him and inhale his cologne. Even knowing I tried to kill Tanner, Will doesn’t look at me like a potential killer. He looks at me like I could never do anything wrong in his eyes, and fuck, do I need that.

I reach up and touch his cheek. “Can you please go get me a drink, Will?”

“Of course.” He kisses my jaw before withdrawing.

A shiver runs through me. I always feel so cold when he leaves me.

“Are you happy?” Nat asks softly. “That’s all that matters.”

Nat’s been my bestie forever. I’m certain she has my best interest at heart. Izzy pops into existence when her relationships die. And when she steps into another guy’s arms, she’ll disappear from our group until it ends.

Vicky... I sigh. Vicky is someone I have to deal with.

“I’m happy.” The area we’re in is away from the other partygoers, so we’re mostly alone. I sit on a stool and look at each of them. “You know things have changed since Homecoming.”

They all nod and move in closer, tightening up our circle.

“Will and I are dating. I’m back living with my father.” I turn and meet Vicky’s eyes. “He no longer requires a spy. You can stop feeding your parents information. Whatever debt they owed has been fulfilled. He and I discussed it.”

Vicky’s mouth opens and closes. Her cheeks blaze bright red.

Nat and Izzy look horrified. Is it an act? Fuck, I hope not. I need to explain more, because this isn’t all on Vicky.

“Look, I don’t have normal parents. My mom wanted William Foster for his wealth and power. All she got was me, which only went so far. If I’d been a boy, maybe, but—” I hold my hands out to my sides. “I know he made it worthwhile to be my friend. What I’m hoping is, it wasn’t all just a ruse to get close to me and that you truly became my friend.”