Page 54 of The Sinner (Haven Grace Prep 1)

Once the bell rings, we all make our way to class. It’s obvious how uncomfortable Delaney is with being late, but she sticks to my side as she and Emma make small talk. It’s nice to see her making new friends. Without me, she’s always tended to stay with her sister. She’s too shy to make friends of her own. However, with the downhill spiral Tessa seems to be on, it’s probably a good thing that she and I are back to being friends.

As we enter the classroom, I’m happy to see Mr. Englewood is out today. I let Grayson have my old desk that he’s claimed since the day he got here and sit next to Delaney. The substitute, whose name I can never seem to remember, puts on a movie and then proceeds to play on his phone, giving us free range to do as we please.

The whole period is eighty minutes of pure boredom, and halfway through, Delaney and I decide to entertain ourselves by playing MASH. I do her first, writing down Carter, Jace, Hayden, and Wyatt as the guys, and leaving out Grayson—for obvious reasons. She catches on quickly and smirks at me.

“So, did you take my advice? Did you tell him you two can’t hook up anymore?”

I snort. “Yeah. It went over really well.”

“Uh-oh.” She watches me curiously. “What happened?”

“Well, I texted him and said things with us were a mistake and won’t happen again.”

“Yeah?”

“And then he proceeded to show up at my house while I was in the shower, break in, and tell me that I don’t have a say in the matter. That I’m his and there isn’t a damn thing I can do about it.”

Her eyes widen. “Sav, he didn’t….”

I shake my head. “No. God, no. I was a more than willing participant, sad to say.”

“Okay, good.” The tension leaves her shoulders in an instant.

The fact that I’m completely unable to resist him is not something I’m proud of. Our situation is far from perfect, especially with him holding my secret over my head like he has been. However, I’m weak when it comes to him. He has me—hook, line and sinker.

A giggle from the other side of the room gets my attention. Delaney and I look over to see Kinsley hanging all over Grayson, as usual. He’s sitting on top of her desk while cracking jokes with Hayden. As if he can sense he has my attention, his eyes meet mine. There’s something in them, something sinister, and he winks before focusing back on Kinsley.

“If he’s so adamant about you two hooking up, why is he over there with her?” Delaney questions.

I pull my gaze away because it hurts too much to watch. “Let’s just say Grayson isn’t the guy he used to be.”

“Clearly.” She turns back to me and sighs, seeing the gloom written all over my face. “Okay, plan B. After class, we’re going to see someone. I have an idea.”

THE BELL RINGS, AND Delaney pulls me up out of my seat in a hurry. We leave the classroom and turn left where I normally go right. I don’t know where she’s bringing me, but she seems pretty determined. It isn’t until I see who’s waiting at the end of the hallway that I start to reconsider letting her take the lead.

“Uh, Laney, I’m not sure about this,” I tell her, but it’s too late.

Tessa looks up at me and her eyes narrow. “What are you doing with her?”

“Well, for one, she’s my friend,” Delaney defends. “And two, she needs guy advice.”

“What?” Tessa and I shout in unison.

She chuckles softly. “Well, I’m out of my depth here. I know literally nothing about what to do in your situation. Tessa, on the other hand, knows plenty.”

Tessa snorts. “Yeah, I’m not helping her.”

She goes to walk away, but her sister grabs her wrist. She rolls her eyes as she’s pulled back.

“Tess.” Delaney says her name, her tone half plea and half warning.

Looking between us, it’s clear she doesn’t want to do this, but for Laney, she caves. “All right. What’s going on?”

“Grayson,” Delaney spits out without hesitation, making my eyes widen. “They’re hooking up in secret, but at school, he’s all over Kinsley.”

“Delaney!” I whine, looking at her with wide eyes.

I wasn’t supposed to tell her about Grayson and me, let alone her sister. If this gets back to him, I can only imagine what he’ll do.

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