It’s the first time she’s admitted she believed me. That she thinks they all had a hand in it. It’s not farfetched because they are a team after all. They don’t do anything that the others don’t know about. I think that’s why Scout tried to warn me off. He knew what had happened and that it wouldn’t hold up in court no matter what I said. Maybe he was trying to save me from being slaughtered by the town.
I swallow the fry and lump in my throat. “I didn’t think … You never acted like …”
“You know I believed you.” She grabs my hands in hers, and tears build in her hazel eyes. “You doubted me?” Her face scrunches in agony at my silence. “I’m sorry I ever made you think that. My father …” She swallows. “My father told me to keep my mouth shut and my opinion to myself, but I always knew you were telling the truth.”
Tears sting my eyes, and I pull her in for a tight hug. “Thank you.” I didn’t know how much I needed to hear that until now. I pull away. “I just … I just want things to go back to normal. As much as they can,” I lie. “Please understand.”
She bites her bottom lip but finally nods.
I tuck my head and look up through my lashes and see that Scout has moved onto her neck. Laney’s got her head tilted back, lips parted, and eyes closed. They’re practically fucking. When did the school start allowing sex at the lunch tables?
I’m going to make him so fucking jealous he won’t be able to stand it. I’ve done it once; I’ll do it again.
CHAPTER SIX
HENLEY
FRIDAY WAS PRETTY quiet. No one spoke to me other than Jamie. The guys didn’t even look my way in the cafeteria or in the halls. It’s their version of the silent treatment. A part of their game.
By the end of the school day, I found myself actually excited about going to the party. I’ve felt cooped up in the house since I returned. The only time I leave is to go to school. Before everything, I was always on the go—out at parties, Death Valley, or just hanging out with the guys—and always had something to do. I spent ninety percent of my time with them. Now I feel so alone. And as much as I hate them, it’s also eating me alive.
“Henley?” I hear my father call out.
“I’m in here,” I say from my closet. I’m going through clothes, trying to decide what I want to wear tonight when he enters. I turn to face him and frown. “Everything okay?” I ask, worried about him.
We haven’t had the chance to sit down and talk since I got back earlier this week. He left and has been occupied ever since he returned this morning. I feel like something is bothering him other than the obvious.
“I need to tell you something.” He sighs heavily. “Come here.” Grabbing my hand, he walks me over to the padded pedestal in the center of the closet and sits down. I sit down next to him.
“Is Jeremy okay?” I ask about the one person who means as much to me as he does. What else could get him this worked up?
“Yeah,” he says quickly. “It’s nothing like that.”
“Okay. Then what is it?”
“I … well, I’ve done something …”
“Sir?” We both look up to see Lance standing in my closet. He’s holding a phone in one hand while the other covers the receiver. “There’s a situation.”
“Can it wait a minute?” my father growls.
“I’m afraid not,” he says apologetically.
My father places his hands on his thighs and stands, letting out a sigh. He turns to face me and frowns. “We’ll continue this conversation tomorrow.”
I nod numbly as he exits the closet without further explanation, wondering what in the hell that was about. He said it didn’t have anything to do with my brother, so it can’t be that important.
I pick up my cell and send a quick message to my brother.
Me: Have you spoken to Dad lately?
He reads it and replies immediately.
Jeremy: No, everything okay?
Me: Yeah, I was just curious.
I lock my phone and let out a breath at my lie because I don’t want to worry him. He lives too far away to be running back here for nothing. Getting up, I turn to face my clothes when I hear Jamie’s voice. “Knock, knock, bitch. Hope you’re dressed,” she calls out before entering.
I turn to face her. “I’m almost ready. Just need to find something to wear.”
“Something that covers very little.” She begins to shuffle through my clothes until she finds something that catches her eye. “This. This is the winner. Plus, it’s going to make your tits look fabulous.” She winks at me.