Page 64 of Wicked Games

“Okay, honey.” He ambles away.

Back in my room, I scan it and close the door. Would I put it past Caleb to come in? Not in the slightest.

I cross to the window. His car is still there, idling. But as I watch, it pulls out onto the street and speeds away. I exhale and close my curtains, falling back into bed.

I can’t let Caleb suck me back to him.

Chapter 16

Margo

The rest of the week is uneventful. There’s not much happening at school. Football has moved almost exclusively to away games, and the hockey team is traveling this weekend, too.

The snow stuck to the ground, leaving an inch or two for a full day before melting away with the rain.

Caleb comes up to me when I’m at my locker on Friday. “Come to our scrimmage after school.”

I snort. “No.”

Once you get in the habit of standing up for yourself, it gets easier and easier tokeepstanding up for yourself. Not letting people run over you feels good. Great, even.

“We leave tomorrow.” He ducks his head toward me. “Half the school travels to the away games, but the half thatdoesn’t, goes to the scrimmage. And since you seem determined to stay here…”

“I’ve never heard of that being a thing.Halfthe school goes to the away games?”

He shrugs. “Ask anyone. They love hockey and they’re rich. Obviously they don’t mind driving their parents’ sports cars a few hours away, dropping a thousand bucks on a hotel room,getting absolutely blasted at a random party they find, and then heading back the next day.”

My gaze cuts to him. “What do you know about that?”

He smiles.

“You’re joking.” The idea of spending that much on a hotel, to see a silly sports team play a meaningless game, knots my stomach.

“So, the scrimmage,” Caleb continues. “It’s today after school. It’s just our team divided into two, but still exciting.”

“Good luck,” I say absently. I grab the last book I need and slam the door shut.

“Wait—”

I pause and turn back around. “What?”

“Why are you tellingmegood luck?” He gets closer, his expression sharpening.

“Are you even playing?” It’s fun to push his buttons. “I thought you were still suspended. So… good luck convincing your coach to let you play.”

He stares, but I hurry away. I make it to class right before the bell rings, slipping into my seat. It’s the one class I have with no one else. The teacher is talking to one of the students at the front of the room, so I open my messages with Riley.

Me

Caleb wants me to go to the scrimmage.

Riley

Is he playing?

That’s what I asked.

“Let’s get started,” the teacher calls.

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