Page 65 of Relentless

“I’ll call Susan,” Maeve offered.

“Maeve please,” Harper pleaded. “Anyone buther.”

The youth pastor’s wife had often talked a big game about picking them up if they ever overindulged at a party. Harper couldn’t help but wonder if the offer was genuine, especially after their ordeal at school.

“Harper, if Dad finds out —” Maeve didn’t have to finish her thought. Harper was well aware of the consequences of her decisions.

“Fine,” she said. Running her fingers across her brow, Harper surrendered. “Call her.”

She hung up the phone, and went again to Delia, pulling the sloppy girl to her feet.

“Come on, time to go.”

“I don’t want to leave,” Delia slurred, taking a moment to find her footing as she unfurled from the average-looking boy.

“Our ride’s coming, and I’m not going to leave you,” Harper ordered. “So pull it together.”

Slinging an arm under Delia, they tottered and swayed to the front door. The burst of cold, fresh outside air enlivened Harper’s senses ever so slightly. Feeling accomplished when they finally reached the curb, she let Delia slip hard onto the cement.

She plopped down beside her friend. Pulling her knees to her chest, she propped her head on her arms as a dull ache crept across her forehead. Delia reclined on Harper’s shoulder while they listened to birds chirping in the chilly air of the early morning hours.

Harper couldn’t suppress her smile at the news she was bursting to share with her best friend.

“I hooked up with Chet,” she announced with a sly grin, burying her face in her hands as she let the secret slip out.

Delia perked up.

“Wait,” she gasped. “Likehookedup?”

Harper nodded, relishing in her friend’s wide-eyedoutburst.

“You’resolucky,” Delia squealed, plunking her head back down on Harper’s shoulder. “You know he’s going to tell everyone hedid itwith the pastor’s daughter.”

Harper’s headache began to pound.

She needed to get her story straight, knowing it would all be okay as long as she could take control of the narrative.

Harper tapped her foot anxiously.

It’s all going to be okay.

Like a beacon of hope, the bright headlights of Susan’s van finally came around the corner.

Harper exhaled, allowing herself to finally feel at ease. The large fifteen-passenger van with the wordsPacific Crest Christian Churchpainted down the side, squealed to a stop in front of them.

Harper could barely stifle her eye roll as the window rolled down to reveal Susan with her lips pinched together in an irked expression. Her hair was pulled in her usual tight bun, and she was wearing a baggy shirt and pajama bottoms as though she had just tumbled right out of bed and into the driver’s seat of her van.

“Get in, ladies,” Susan fumed, her tinny voice dripping with disappointment.

“Wake up, Del,” Harper said, again shaking her awake. “Our ride's here.”

Delia looked disoriented as she lifted her head off of Harper’s shoulder, and swiped the drool from the corner of her mouth.

Helping her best friend to her feet, Harper slid open the van’s large passenger door, allowing Delia to collapse onto the backseat.

Harper took a sip of air, resigning herself to the place in the front beside Susan. Climbing into the van, she subdued her nervesandsnark.

“Thanks for the ride,” Harper muttered. Avoiding all eye contact, she pulled her seatbelt across her chest. “I really appreciate this — especially after the whole thing at school.”

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