Page 116 of Wicked Games

Claire might’ve been the catalyst of my realization, but Caleb dug his own grave.

“You were just trying to help.”

“Still.” She pouts. “I miss living with you. I miss seeing you at school. We ended up so close to each other. But now I can see you so much more. And, well, I wanted to show off my driving skills. I couldn’t get away before now.”

Claire, the wild child. Always a rule breaker. I don’t bother pointing out that she shouldn’t be driving alone with a permit, and sheespeciallyshouldn’t be driving someone else around without a license. A little thing like the law wouldn’t stop her.

“How’s Hanna?” I ask again.

“She’s good. She’s really enjoying that school. She’s made some friends, which used to be difficult for her. I think she doesn’t feel like such an outcast in the uniforms. There’s no bias. Even her shoes are new, and our foster mom makes sure her hair is done up really nice every morning.”

“That’s nice,” I murmur.

There were a few instances of Hanna coming home sobbing, some mean girl in the grade above picking on her for her threadbare shoes or shirts. To hear that’s not happening anymore…

“She’s at Lion’s Head’s middle school, right? Caleb and I are going to the championship game. Are you going?”

“Oh my gosh, Margo. I got asked out on a date!” Her cheeks pinken. “I don’t think I’m ready for it, though. He’s nice and all. He wanted to go to the football game together. Do you and Caleb kiss?”

I blink. “Um?—”

“I just don’t know what to expect,” she murmurs. “Do guys expect to kiss on the first date?”

“I don’t know,” I answer. “I can’t say I’ve gone on too many first dates.”

Let’s just call it none. Caleb made sure of that, and he doesn’t count.

“Well, if you go, you can meet me there.”

I have the sense of time lost between us, and I don’t know how to get it back. So much has happened since September.

“Maybe,” she hedges. “I’ll have to accept the date first.”

“Is he a nice guy?”

“I said he was.” Her expression flickers from uncertainty to annoyance. “I just don’t know if he’s a good kisser.”

“Jeez, Claire, is that all you care about?” I laugh. “Do you remember when we first met?”

“How could I not? Hanna and I weren’t expecting anything other than a shitty foster home that’d been coerced into taking both of us. We got the surprise of our lives when you joined us.”

“Me, too.” Reminiscing doesn’t help that sinking feeling in my chest.

“Are you and Caleb together?” she asks suddenly. “I only ask because there are a lot of rumors at Lion’s Head about the ERE hockey captain. It’s actually shocking how much people gossip. I’d love to dispel the rumors for you.”

I squint at her. “In a way…”

“That means you’re fucking him, right? Even though he’s an awful person?”

“Seriously?” I get up. I need something—a glass of water to drink or chuck at her head, I’m not sure.

She follows me through the dining room, pausing in front of my easel.

“Wait,” she says. “What’s this?”

“A painting.” I continue on, making a beeline for the fridge. I pour two glasses of water and carry them back, and she’s still staring at it. “Claire.”

She jerks. “Yeah?”

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