Page 137 of Their Dangerous Game
She does the air quotes, and I hope she means doing things together and notdoingthings together.
“The guys are really close, and we’ve mostly just spent time at school. So currently, we all just hang out together.” I’m not sure my face can get any hotter.
She pushes out a breath. “Okay, that’s all the parenting I can handle right now.”
I chuckle. She glances around the kitchen.
“There aren’t many leftovers, so that’s a bonus to hanging out with four football players.” She nudges my shoulder playfully. “They also helped clean up, so there’s nothing left for us to do. Except for me to give you your presents.”
I smile and wait at the island while she heads into the other room. She comes back with an envelope and a small box.
“Okay, before you get excited, it isn’t much, but I’ve been working a lot to get it to where it is.” She hands me the envelope.
“Okay.” I open it and it’s the statement to a college savings plan. While it isn’t enough for all four years, it’s a substantial amount and will make a good dent. “This is amazing, Mom. This will definitely help.”
She smiles. “I know it isn’t enough, but you should get some scholarships and financial aid to make up the difference. If you go in-state, you might get a full ride.”
I haven’t talked to her about college much. While in-state is a good deal, I don’t want to stay close, where the horsemen have so much power. I want to get away from them, but moving away from my mom will be hard.
Tentatively she pushes the box toward me but holds onto it. “Before you open this…” She sighs and looks at the gift. “We don’t talk about your father. I know you don’t remember much about him, but I loved him once upon a time. He gave me you, and I’m grateful to him for that.”
I nod. Dad is a nonfactor in my life. He ducked out on us when I was five. I have a vague memory of the smell of gasoline and oil, leather, and a scratchy beard.
“We weren’t the only thing he left behind. I think it’s appropriate for you to have this now.” She shoves the box in front of me.
I don’t know what she’s talking about. As I unwrap the box and open it, a key falls out. I raise an eyebrow at her. This is all my dad left behind? “A key, wow, I’ll treasure it.”
Shaking her head, she takes my hand and pulls me outside and back to the garden shed. I haven’t been in here since I was a kid. Mom hired a service, so the lawn mower and tools never get used.
“It’s really not much, but I’m sure it could be if you wanted to fix it up.” She pulls open the doors and grabs the edge of thedrop cloth covering stuff in one corner. As it falls away, it reveals an old Harley-Davidson motorcycle amongst some boxes and gardening tools.
My mouth drops open. “What?”
It’s gorgeous.
Mom smiles, but it’s a little sad. “This was his pride and joy. I’m not sure why he didn’t take it with him, but I always figured he’d want you to have it.”
“This is amazing.” It’s black with chrome accents. It needs a wash, and I don’t even know if it runs. “Thank you. I love you so much.”
I turn and hug her.
“You’re it for me, Harper. I love you to the moon and back.”
The next morning,I’m still feeling good. Last night, the guys and I did our homework and went to bed. No one asked me to strip, which was nice. I woke up to the guys’ alarms and not two guys in my room. So bonus.
When I come out of my shower, I don’t even bother with the towel. At my dresser, I pull on panties and a bra. Someone clears their throat. I turn to the computer screen to see Jack sitting there with a huge smile on his face.
“Can I help you?” I turn back to my closet and reach for a mini skater skirt.
“You’ll get lines with those panties.” Jack’s voice is loud, and I notice Luke dressing in the background.
“So should I go without or…?” I cock my hip.
“Probably a thong would work, but if you want to go commando, I’ll be hard every time I see you today.” Jack reachesinto his boxers and strokes his cock. He chuckles. “Let’s be honest, I’ll be hard either way.”
I think I’m getting too used to seeing Jack’s cock. Maybe that’s part of their strategy. I slip my panties off and reach into the drawer to pull out a white thong. I bend to pull it on.
“Fuck, Harper. You sure you’re grounded, because I’m ready to kiss something besides your mouth.”
