Page 155 of A Little Tempting

“Is this your vehicle?” His dad pushes off from the door and looks into the back seat window. His brows lift as if something caught his attention, and my insides fill with absolute dread.

He did something. I don’t know what it is, but I know it’s the truth. I borrowed Oliver’s car before the game. I know for a fact nothing is in the back seat. Or at least nothing to garner such a look.

What did he do?

“Reeves—” I reach for his arm, but he dodges my hold, and, with a gentle but forceful touch, he pushes me behind him. Protecting me. When the only person his dad wants to hurt is him.

“Why won’t you leave Dylan and me alone?” Reeves demands. “Is it because she embarrassed you? Because she told your friends the truth?”

His father’s eyes darken. “I need you to open your car?—”

“It’s mine!” I yell. “Whatever it is, it’s mine.”

Everyone’s heads snap in my direction, and I notice the cell phones pointed at us. At me. They surround me. Recording everything. Oliver’s rage. My confession. Everything.

“Dylan,” Reeves murmurs, but I shake my head, silently begging him to listen.

“If you’re arresting someone for possession of whatever’s in the back of the car, it’s mine.” I swallow thickly and fold my arms. “I drove here on my own.”

“It isn’t your car,” Officer Reeves argues.

“Technically, it’s mine,” someone announces from behind me.

I glance over my shoulder to find Maverick. He isn’t looking at me, though. He’s glaring at Officer Reeves. His frustration rolls off him and hits my back with an air of…pride, almost. Griffin steps up beside him, and Everett joins, each of them folding their arms with their heads held high and their chests puffed out like they’re ready to throw down at any second to protect their friend, even if it means going head-to-head with law enforcement.

Confusion consumes Officer Reeves’ face. He shakes his head. “This is?—”

“When I bought my motorcycle, I let Reeves borrow my car. His name isn’t on the title, but mine is, so if there’s a problem with the vehicle, you can take it up with me personally.”

“Or maybe I’m the one who planted it,” Everett offers. “You already know about my prior altercation with Reeves at Homecoming. Hell, you arrested him but didn’t even take me in for questioning after I refused to press charges. Maybe I planted it to get him in trouble.”

“And now you’re confessing your scheme?” Oliver’s dad scoffs. “Not likely.”

Griffin steps even closer. “Yeah, well, it looks like you have three people worth arresting for whatever bullshit thing you planted in the back of the car, and your son isn’t one of them. So, you’re welcome to pull out the cuffs now and arrest any of my friends who confessed, but since Reeves is clearly innocent, I suggest you let him be on his way. What do you say?”

“You sure you wanna play this game?” Officer Reeves asks. But he isn’t looking at me. He isn’t looking at Mav or Everett or Griffin. He’s looking at Oliver. And I swear I’ve never seen so much hatred in my entire life.

Reeves breaks the staring contest and reaches for me, but I shake my head again and turn to Officer Dickhead. “You going to arrest me, or what? I confessed to being the sole owner of whatever’s in the back of the car, so?—”

“Dylan,” Reeves snaps. He’s confused. Frustrated. Then again, so am I.

I step forward and squeeze his hand, begging him to trust me. To not let his father win.

“Do you even know what it is?” McDonnell questions. It’s the first time he’s spoken, and by the surprise in Reeves’ expression, it’s the first time he sees him, too. Sees the setup. The carefully orchestrated plan I’m shitting on at this very moment.

“Does it matter?” I counter.

McDonnell’s expression falls. “Miss?—”

“It’s mine,” I repeat.

“And mine,” Maverick interjects.

“And mine,” Everett chimes in.

My heart grows like the Grinch’s as I look around at my friends, each of us stepping around a stunned Reeves, forming a literal barrier between him and his asshole of a father.

“As you can see by my boyfriend’s very confused expression,” I add, “he has no idea what any of you are even talking about. Now, if we can please get this over with…”

---