Page 136 of Their Cruel Play
Harper
We park next to the wing place we went to before. This time I’m not getting naked wings. Fuckers.
Jack tugs me out of the backseat and leads me into the restaurant. We walk up to the counter and I order mild wings with a side of ranch and some fries. Before I can get any cash out of my purse, Caden eases me to the side.
“Go sit, little nympho.” He cups my ass and gives me a gentle shove toward the tables. My face heats as the guy behind the counter chuckles. Fucking Caden.
“Come on.” Jack leads me over to a booth and scoots in first, drawing me down next to him. The others arrive and place their orders at the counter before heading our way.
Eli sits next to me before anyone else can claim the seat. His hand slides over my knee as he presses a kiss to my cheek. Tingles buzz through me from his touch. We aren’t the only people in the restaurant by a long shot.
There are even a few other students. No one I know, but Caden stops by to speak with them for a second on his way to our table.
“How’s your day been, kitten?” Eli squeezes my thigh, making a little wave of heat rush through me.
“The usual. A fewwhores, oneslut, and Tanner running his mouth off in art, but I told Ms. Sullivan on him. He got sent to the office.” I grab a napkin and put it on my lap.
Nico asked what happened on the way to the car, but I didn’t give him a complete rundown because I knew I’d just have to say it all again now.
“What did he say?” Caden leans his elbows on the table and his eyes narrow.
I swallow that protective instinct in me. If they’re going to trust me, I’m going to have to trust them. “Something about dicks always being on my mind and sucking them.”
“What a fucking tool.” Nico sits across from me. “It’s almost like he wanted to get kicked out today.”
“It was our first project workday. I’m not sure why he’d want to miss that. It means we’re behind on our project.” I tear up a napkin in front of me. What could his motive be? Except to get me alone. I freeze at that thought.
“Which means you might have to take advantage of her after school art studio.” Nico points out. “When we’re all at football practice.”
Fuck, he’s right. Caden’s mouth forms a tight line, but the guy at the counter calls our order number. Eli and Caden slide out and go to pick it up.
“Should I tell this stuff to Caden?” My gaze follows him. If I don’t, he’ll punish me. But I don’t want him to end up in jail because of something I said.
“It’s better he hears it from you than someone else.” Jack sweeps my napkin pieces into a pile off to the side.
He’s right, but I still worry about Caden going off on Tanner. It wouldn’t just be about me, which is why I worry. I don’t knowhow he’ll ever get over the way Tanner treated Caden’s sister. They return with our orders.
“Fuck, little nympho, I thought you liked yours naked.” Caden’s eyes are back to his normal playfulness.
“No, I like them a little hot.” I breathe out in relief.
Caden arches an eyebrow. “Naked and hot. My favorite.”
“Any other bumps today?” Luke looks around the table, not just asking me.
“Saw Zach in third. He didn’t say anything. Sidney sat with him, hanging all over him.” Eli steals one of my fries. I open my mouth to complain but then shrug internally. It’s too much food for me, anyway.
“Any luck with Ashley?” Luke takes a drink. He’s focused on Eli.
“I’ve got a guy trying to get in good with her. Might take a little while.” Eli sits back and rubs his hand up and down my thigh. “The girls were open to trying to play little turncoats.”
My eyes widen. “Turncoats?”
“Your clingers are going to pretend they want to take you down to get in good with Sidney and her group. Feed their egos and get information. It’s a sound plan.”
“That’s brilliant but scary. Shouldn’t you have looped me in on it?” I take a bite of my chicken. Guess the girls will still act like my friend around me, so I wouldn’t notice anything different.
“I’m doing that now, kitten.” He brushes my hair behind my ear. “You need to behave like they’re still your besties though. Which hopefully they are and aren’t playing us.”
