Page 122

Jack sighs. “Just family shit. He understands that Harper is important to me, but he also would like me to stay home for my mother’s sake. She worries about me.”

“You could, you know?” My voice is strong.

He turns in the seat to meet my eyes.

I swallow. “Stay home if you need to. If my mom were there tonight, I’d be there.”

His gaze softens on me. “You’re my priority right now. My parents have seen me. There’s nothing they can do to fix me. I’d just sit in my room and work. I’d rather be with you.”

That’s what I want too. I texted Nico earlier and he said he needed to stay home tonight. His mother was already worried about his knee injury, and then he gets knocked out and almost run down by a van. Though I’m sure Nico left off that last part or she might never let him out of the house again. Even his dad wanted him home.

Me:

Heading to Caden’s

Nico:

Wish I could be there with you

I enjoyed our time as teenagers

Was hoping to spend some more time as teenagers

My cheeks heat. This morning was awesome. The crying afterward not so much, but it felt good to be so connected to Nico and Jack. To feel something besides constant worry. Or that niggling feeling in the back of my mind that I’ve forgotten something important.

Even the crying was a release.

I lean my head back against the car seat as we make our way through the darkened streets. It’s still early. We don’t need to go to bed right away. Hopefully when we get to Caden’s, we can do something before going to sleep. I’m so done with sleeping.

Caden pulls into his garage and shuts his car off. Luke and Eli open their doors, and Luke offers me his hand to help me out.

“What’s the plan for tonight?” I ask as we walk toward the front door. The guys don’t trust the basement to not be bugged. Otherwise, we could have played in there. A little burst of anticipation flows through me at the thought of Eli’s ropes.

Caden’s been keeping his room locked while we’re gone. To keep the staff out and anyone else who might want to plant another camera or recording device. No one says anything for a moment as we go into the house.

Please say we’re going to do something besides watch a movie.

Caden leads the way down the hallway. “We could play video games.”

I blow my hair out of my face. Technically, not watching a movie. Honestly? “What do I get if I win?”

“What do you want, kitten?” Eli’s tone isn’t as sexy as I hoped it would be. I was hoping he’d offer something. A game? Something that would relieve this ache inside me. This need to feel alive.

Before I can answer, a door opens down the hallway, and a girl giggles. We all stop.

Penny turns to us with a huge smile on her face. “Hey, guys.”

Caden sighs and shakes his head.

“What are you up to tonight?” Penny puts her hand on Will’s chest as he closes in on her with a wicked look. He notices us and wraps his arms around Penny instead.

I’d love to be able to say, the same thing you two are up to, but instead, I shrug. “Video games.”

Penny arches an eyebrow at me like, really?

I let out a breath and give her a slight nod. It’s not like I need to have a lot of sex. Though I’ve become accustomed to it. And Nico and Jack took care of me today. So maybe the others just aren’t in the right headspace for it.

“You guys have fun with that.” Penny gives me a smile. She glances at Luke. “Can I talk to you about something?” She glances back at Will before turning back to Luke. “Later?”