The Help (Kings of Linwood Academy 1)

As I settle into the chair, he turns to face me more fully, gaze still locked on my face.

“What are you in for?” he murmurs.

“I punched Savannah in the mouth.”

The grin he shoots me is the most genuine expression I’ve ev

er seen him wear.

14

Mom isn’t happy about my picking a fight with another girl, but she at least lets me tell my side of the story. And she seems content to let two weeks of detention be my punishment, instead of grounding me on top of it or something.

I think her lenience is partly due to the fact that she’s in a good mood because she has a date. She won’t tell me who it’s with—says she doesn’t want to jinx it until she knows for sure whether it’s even worth pursuing—but she’s giddy with excitement.

I’m glad.

Not so much because she goes easy on me, but because she hasn’t gone out with anyone in a while, and I like to see her happy. I wish she’d tell me who this clown is so I could Google the fuck out of him though.

Ah well. If they go out again, I’ll make her spill the beans. She’s usually not great at keeping secrets anyway.

On Saturday night, two days after my little tussle with Savannah, Mom pops into my room to say goodbye on her way out. She looks gorgeous, with her dark brown hair done up in a loose, casual style and a teal green top that’s classy and flattering.

I can tell she’s excited but nervous, so I “ooh” and “aah” over her before giving her a kiss on the cheek and sending her on her way. I make her promise to be home by midnight and use protection, because I’ve gotta give her a little shit while I’m at it, right?

Once she’s gone, I slip on my pajamas and curl up to read. Lauren told me about a house party tonight, but I’m really not in the mood for that right now. I’m still sort of reeling from the last party I “attended”.

I’m just starting a new chapter when there’s a knock on my door. I glance up, surprised. It’s only been a little over an hour. If Mom’s back already, it must’ve been the worst date in history.

“Yeah?” I call. “Come in!”

The door opens, but it’s not my mom.

It’s Lincoln.

And as he steps inside, he’s followed by Dax, Chase, and River.

It’s weird and unexpected enough to have me on my feet in an instant. Lincoln hasn’t been in my room since the morning he barged in on me naked, and the others have never been in here. They’re all dressed in dark colors, and they have serious expressions on their faces.

“What?” I blurt. Did something happen to my mom? But why would they be the ones to come tell me?

“We need you,” Lincoln says simply.

I blink. “What?”

“My favor,” River clarifies. “I’m calling it in.”

Oh.

Oh fuck.

I swallow, tossing my book down on the bed and crossing my arms over my chest, intensely aware that once again, I’m standing in front of all these guys in nothing but a thin tank and a little pair of shorts.

“Yeah? So what do you want?”

My words sound almost challenging, but that’s only because I have to force them out past a throat that wants to close up in panic. Whatever he’s going to say, I’m not sure I’m ready to hear it.

“Here. Put this on.” He tosses a small black garment on the bed, but I just stare at it like it’s a snake about to strike. He rolls his eyes. “Come on. We don’t have all night.”