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“I think I can use my allowance to get what I need.”

He smiles. “Good.”

A part of me wants to preen under his praise, but I know who he is. Never forget who you’re dealing with. The second you let your guard down is when he’ll strike.

I won’t ever forget it, but if I need out, I have people who will help me. Maybe I’ll start carrying a knife.

Now to get to things I need to make him aware I won’t be a pushover for him. Including letting him use my friends to spy on me. It’s time he knows I know.

I clear my throat and meet his eyes. “Now, let’s discuss Victoria Martinez.”

Harper

The rest of the week is uneventful. Eli’s mom is out on bail for the fraud charges, and his father stayed at the house, but in a separate room. We’re fairly certain she’s being implicated in the drug ring, but they aren’t pressing charges. Yet.

School is quiet. No one seems to want to push any buttons. The other students act like they’re all walking on eggshells. Kenz thinks they’re wondering when the guys will finally explode, and no one wants to get hit with the shrapnel.

The week is over, and it’s finally Friday night football. The first half of the game has been uneventful. I’ve stayed on the sidelines with the guys, taking stats, but it’s halftime now. Nico starts my way, but Coach Turner stops between us.

“Need you in the locker room, Lee.” Darius meets Nico’s eyes before he turns to me. “You got someone? If not, you can come sit in my office.”

“We’ve got her,” Kenz says. Penny walks beside her onto the field with a grin.

It’s been a while since I’ve hung out with just the girls. Not that this really counts, but it’s good to step away from the guys for a few. Even if it makes me nervous.

I gesture to my friends. “I’m good.”

Nico nods. When Jack pauses, our eyes meet. We still don’t like to be apart from each other. It’s gotten worse this week. Even though we’ve had company for most of the night, he still sleeps wrapped around me. I have to make sure he’s awake before I try to shift out of his arms for any reason.

“Help me to the locker room,” Nico asks Jack.

Jack shakes himself out of it and lets Nico put his arm around his shoulders. Nico gives me a wink as Kenz grabs my hands.

“Come on. I promised your mom I’d bring you to her.” Kenz links our arms and leads me to the bleachers. Most people have gotten up to go to the concession stand and restrooms, but a lot of people still mill around.

When we have to squeeze through a group, I freeze like walls are closing in on me. My breathing escalates. My vision tunnels as my heart pounds.

“It’s okay, Harper. We have you.” Penny takes my other arm and they lead me to freedom from the mass of people.

When my breathing returns to normal, I glance back. It was only a few people. Nothing I haven’t done a million times before. I watched a video of that night. The sheer chaos with the sprinklers going and the lights out, the panic and terror in people’s voices as little bursts of light and explosive sounds break through. It’s hard to imagine what that was like for me, but those feelings echo occasionally.

No memories though.

“Are you good, H?” Kenz squeezes me into her side.

I blow out a breath. “Yeah, I’m good.”

Penny and Kenz stay close as they lead me over to where my mom sits.

Mom insisted on taking tonight off to be at the game. I guess after hearing about the past few games she wants to be here to help if needed. I can’t really blame her, and it does make me feel safe knowing she’s here.

She’s sitting next to Robert, Lucy, Sarah, and Cameron. Cameron has stopped by Jack’s house a few times this week to keep us up to date on what’s happening with the guys who got arrested that night.

He’s walking away with his phone to his ear as we get there.

Mom smiles and pats the seat next to her as we approach. When I sit down, the last bit of anxiety eases out of me. She tips my chin up and searches my face like she can see what’s happening.

“How are you enjoying your first high school football game?” I ask with a grin to distract her, needing her to not lean into my trauma right now.