Page 53 of Mark & Don't Tell

“Then, there’s still time.”

He shakes his head. “It’s fine.”

Putting my hand on his arm, I pull him to a stop and face him. He’s taller than me now. When did that happen? “Let your big sister get you shoes, huh?” I arch an eyebrow. “Besides, I’ve already been working on my sign.”

He groans. “I hate those signs.”

“Liar. I’ll get you shoes this weekend, okay?” I don’t know where I’ll find the money, but there are a couple of thrift stores that have their own section for used sporting goods. “So long as you’re okay with them being used?”

“Uh, yeah.” He swallows and averts his gaze.

My shoulders fall. Of course he’d want new ones, but I don’t have enough money for that. Hell, I don’t even have money for a used pair. I’ll figure it out, though.

Marco catches my crestfallen look and swallows. “Used will be great, Daria.”

“I’m sorry,” I tell him, my throat thick with emotion.

He shrugs and shakes his head. “It’s fine.”

But it’s not. It’s really not. “Tell your coach you’ll have cleats by Monday.”

Twenty

DARIA

Unknown

Hey there, little doe.

My heart flips as I stare down at my phone in shock for two reasons: Vic somehow has my number, and he put me in a group chat.

Unknown

I much prefer bunny.

Okay, that’s Linc.

Unknown

She’s going to think you both want to eat her.

Kai

Ever reasonable.

Linc

I mean . . .

*She* is in the chat. She also hates group chats.

Kai

You can blame me for that.

Linc

Maybe you can spank him for being a bad alpha.

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