Page 40 of Wicked Scandal

A smile creeps on her face. “Thanks, Wilder.”

I waggle my brows as I step past her. Once I’m out the door, I spin around and look at her. “See ya later.”

Gripping the doorframe, she watches as I walk away. I know because I can't stop turning around to look at her. The smile on my face has never felt more real.

Fuck. I’ve got it bad.

CHAPTER 11

WILDER

“Where’s your brother?” Dad asks as he loosens his tie and takes a seat at the dinner table.

I look around, wondering what brother he’s talking about since I’ve got three, and I notice it’s Callan who’s missing.

I shrug my shoulders. “Don’t know.”

This is the fourth time in a week Callan has missed dinner with no explanation other than “I had shit to do.” Ever since football season ended, Callan’s been a bit of a miscreant. He’s running around with some sketchy guys and making some pretty shitty choices. Dad’s on high alert with his behavior and I can see the trepidation on his face right now.

“I need you all to rally and spend some more time with Callan,” he says sternly. “He’s heading down a path he shouldn’t be on. He and Brogan are about to finish their junior year and they’ve got one more to go before they’re out in the real world. I don’t feel Callan is near enough ready to face what’s waiting for him.”

I look around at my siblings who are all nodding and offering responses like, yes, sir, and of course. Then there is Lake, my youngest stepsister who’s a sophomore, she’s scribbling some sort of art onto her hand and paying no attention to anyone around her.

Being in high school is fucking hard. We’re all just trying to find our place and our people while knowing that soon, we’ll be thrust into the real world and all the strings we’ve tied will slowly unravel. Maybe not right away, but eventually, they will. Then we have to start all over and do it again—find our place, find our people.

I’ve got one more week left, and I’m terrified.

I shouldn’t be but the unknown is terrifying. Will I make it out there? Will this cruel world change me?

I’ve got a plan, but there is still so much to figure out. My job is lined up. I’m still making content and growing my following while monetizing off the SnapTok app. And now, I’ve met someone who makes all that other stuff seem less significant.

Just thinking about Cat has all my worries slipping away. In seven days I will be free to see her whenever I want. I’ll no longer be her student and she will no longer be my teacher.

“What are you smiling about?” Rome asks with a nudge to my shoulder.

I look up, feeling a rush of heat in my cheeks. I didn’t even realize I was smiling. “Nothing.” My eyes wander around the table and I see that everyone is looking at me, even Lake who has paused her Sharpie tattoo to see what’s going on.

“I know,” Elodie says with a smirk.

I give her a look, practically begging her not to say anything, because I think she really does know.

“Well,” Sayer says. “Don’t leave us hanging, El. What is it?”

I sweep my hand through the air, blowing out a breath of air. “She doesn’t know anything.”

“Sure I do,” she says confidently as she folds her hands on the table in front of her.

I fix her with a stern stare, moving my head in small, deliberate shakes. Don’t you dare mention Mrs. Jenkins, I internally beg of her.

Eyes deadlocked on mine, she says, “We’re done with high school next week. That’s all. Am I right, Wilder?”

My body relaxes, shoulders dropping from their tense state. “Yeah, of course. That’s exactly it.”

Once everyone continues eating, I stab a piece of steak with a fork and glower at Elodie who looks like she’s about to burst out in laughter. How is that girl so damn intuitive? She’s too smart for her own good. Probably why she got away with fucking her stepbrother and getting our parents’ approval. Too bad for her and Rome, they’ll be parting ways this fall, but I have no doubt they’ll make it work since their schools are sort of close. The love between them is clear as day, you can’t help but notice it.

“Sayer,” Dad says, clearing his throat. “You and Callan start football day camp in two weeks. I want you two to go there and come home together. That way I know he’s actually showing up. If he steps out of line, you let me know, okay?”

Sayer nods, but I call bullshit. He’d never rat on Callan. Those two are as close as Rome and me, and I’d never throw Rome under the bus. They’re as opposite as me and Rome, too.

---