Page 25 of His Secret Santa

“I didn’t know she could be nice,” Abby said.

McKenna’s words spun inside Holden’s head.

Lincoln really wants you there.

This couldn’t be true.

It would lift his spirits if you came.

Could it?

He knew his first logical conclusion should be that she was tricking them. But his heart clung desperately to the hope that her words were true. Was he ready to risk everything to find out? If he was wrong… the experience could be scarring. And not just for himself.

• • •

When Lincoln stopped by his locker on his way out, he saw McKenna, Tonya, and Gina down in the main hallway—talking to Holden Dunkel and his friends. From where he stood, it looked like McKenna was actually being nice. Which immediately sent up red flags; why would she be nice to the gay kid when she delighted in tormenting him?

McKenna saw him and said something to Holden, then she and her friends headed his way.

“What was that about?” Lincoln mumbled.

His girlfriend held up a pair of earrings, dangling them before him. “This.” She smiled. “He was my Secret Santa.”

Lincoln stared at the jewelry. “Is that real gold?”

“Yep.”

“He bought you real gold earrings… after the way you treat him?”

“Apparently so.” She admired the gift. “But it’s all good. We made up. I even invited him to your party.”

A few more red flags sprouted. “Why?”

“To be nice. My way of apologizing for being a bitch to him all this time.”

“But you’re not nice,” Lincoln stated bluntly. “Especially not to him.”

“People can change.”

Some people, yes. But McKenna? Lincoln had his doubts. Why would she invite Holden…

Invite him to your birthday party… take him up to your room… get him naked on your bed.

Troy’s words from the other day burst through his head.

Attempting to keep his cool, Lincoln asked, “What did he say when you invited him?”

“Nothing really.” McKenna laughed lightly. “I think he was in shock.” She squinted. “I kind of told him that you were inviting him.”

“You what? Why did you do that?”

“Because he likes you. And if he thought you invited him, he might be more likely to come.”

Lincoln shook his head, his heart pounding. “You didn’t invite him to be nice. What’s the real reason? What’re you planning to do?”

McKenna smiled. “Don’t worry, baby.” She exchanged a devious look with her friends. “Everyone is going to have fun.”

Everyone? Holden and his friends, as well? Not likely.

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