Page 111

“She had to take a drug test. She can blame most of it on Zach’s influence. Maybe even cry that she didn’t know he was doing that to her. It sounds like rehab is on the table to avoid her losing her scholarships. Her father is pushing for it.” Eli looks down at his phone when it buzzes again. “In person. Sixty days. Then she can return to school, but she’ll be on mandatory weekly drug tests for the rest of the school year.”

He turns his phone, and some unknown number has texted him all the information on Sidney’s rehab at an inpatient facility an hour away. I don’t ask who the sender is. I probably don’t want to know.

When I slide it back, I have one question. “Will she actually have to do it?”

Eli smirks and slides his phone into his pocket. “Until all the drama dies down around here, yes. Once things go back to normal and the DEA and FBI aren’t hanging around, she’ll probably be suddenly cured and no longer need inpatient care. Her mother will make sure of that.”

“But at least a few weeks of no Sidney.” Jack rubs my back, and I turn to face him.

Luke slides in next to me and takes my hand from the table. Threading his fingers in mine, he lifts my hand and presses a kiss to the back of it. Heat bubbles up inside me. Not from embarrassment.

“Think your mom would do us a favor, princess?”

I raise an eyebrow at Luke. This is something new.

“I guess it depends on the favor.”

Will he tell me what it is?

He nods thoughtfully. “We’ll talk later.”

Our server stops with our food. After she hands it out, Caden makes his way back over. He smiles at her as she walks away.

“Fuck, I’m starving.” He grins at me before picking up his fork and digging into his pancakes.

“Anything new?” Luke sits back against the booth, watching Caden.

Caden shrugs. “Probably the same stuff you guys heard. Not much is happening. The guys are all being held, pending their bail hearing this afternoon. The board meeting is a go. Parents and teachers are planning on attending. Ava and her crew are lying low like I asked them to.”

“Sidney is heading to rehab this afternoon.” Eli rubs at his chin. “Guess Angela Brown won’t be at the school board meeting. Not if she wants to play the doting mother to Sidney.”

“Good.” Luke picks up his fork and nudges me with his elbow gently. “Eat, princess.”

I look at my plate of food. Honestly, nothing sounded good, so I just ordered my usual. It looks good, but I’m not really hungry. My stomach is still twisted in knots from learning what we went through.

Not to mention the constant attention our table receives from the rest of the restaurant. We made it to the other side of what was barreling down on us, so why doesn’t it feel like we’ve made it to the finish line?

“What’s wrong, Harper?” Nico’s voice is low and gentle, like he’s trying to pry some deep dark secret out of me.

Jack reaches for my cheek and brushes away a tear. I wasn’t even aware I was crying. Fuck.

“I need...” I look around at the intent faces of the men I love who want to help me. This lump forms in my throat. “I need to use the restroom.”

Luke stands and holds out his hand to help me out of the booth. I take it and am only mildly surprised when he walks me to the bathroom. Once we’re out of sight of the whole restaurant, I drag in a breath.

“Are you okay?” Luke stops me next to the bathroom door.

I lift my gaze to his worried blue eyes. “I am. My feet ache a little. My muscles are still a little sore. But all in all, I’m here.”

He looks back over his shoulder before pulling me to the bathroom door. He opens it and searches the inside. It’s empty. He pulls me in and locks the door.

I don’t know what he’s doing or considering doing, but anything is better than trying to restart my memories by thinking about everything Jack told me. How can any of that be gone? How is it not even in my nightmares?

Luke slides his hands on either side of my jaw and tips my face up to his. He lowers his forehead to mine. “It’s everything that you’re here, Harper. Without you, nothing would work anymore.”

I slide my hands over his wrists and hold on for dear life.

“They tried to take you from us. From me. We’re never letting that happen again. You’re ours.”