Page 48 of The Players

The snack table was a big part of our plan. We’d brainstormed everything we could think of, but without a solid lead on Savannah’s crime, we’d decided on an old standby. We’d created a whole stash of laxative brownies, the kind of confectionary we’d learned she couldn’t resist—especially since she’d been starving herself to fit in her dress. The boys were supposed to be collecting them from the lockers we’d hidden them in the day before. Nothing like explosive diarrhea in front of everyone to make you rethink your plans at Waverly Academy, especially if you were as vain as Savannah Bright.

The problem came with how to get her to eat them without her suspectingandavoid anyone else from getting them in the meantime. I’d enlisted Easton’s help there as well. He was the one who would ply her with her favorite sweet, one we could make sure was the special kind. Then he could feign innocence when she got sick in front of the entire student body.

It wasn’t a great plan, but it was the best we had.

“They have the brownies,” Randy said, jabbing me with an elbow.

On the table sat the tray of brownies that came from Randy’s grocery store connections. They were identical to the ones in my locker that would ruin Savannah’s night and that beautiful dress.

The ones the boys were supposed to have retrieved and brought to the tableten minutes ago.

“What’s taking them so long?” I glanced toward the gymnasium door while silently praying Hector and Lowell would walk in any second and tell me everything was fine.

But no matter how long I stared, they didn’t appear. The band changed to an upbeat Motown tune. A crowd of people headed to the dance floor, disco lights spinning across their lithe bodies. When I snuck a glance toward our target, Savannah and the guys still stood aloof off to one side. As I watched, Ty pulled out a flask and passed it around. Of course, they had alcohol. I was sure no one searched them on the way in. Typical privileged behavior. They were always above it all. Well, that would end tonight for one of them at least.

That was if the boys ever got back.

“Let’s dance,” Randy said, pulling me toward the dance floor. “We can’t just hang around the brownies all night. It looks suspicious.”

I had to agree, though dancing seemed like the last thing I wanted to do. I obliged Randy, though. She was my best friend, and she had a point. Best to avoid suspicion any way we could. Enough fingers would be pointed at me after tonight as it was.

The song was danceable and the female lead singer was giving it her all, so I couldn’t help myself but have a good time bopping along beside Randy. Her wild dance moves had me giggling. When I tried to repeat them, we only laughed harder. Then I felt a tap on my shoulder.

I turned around to find Savannah in front of me. I stopped mid-dance move.

She grabbed my wrist and pulled me off the dance floor. Dumbly, I followed after her while our heels clicked on the gym floor.

Shit. She was pissed. Did she know? Had Easton told her? When I finally regained my senses and pulled my hand out of her grip, we were standing in a dark gymnasium corner.

“If you wanted to dance with me, Savannah, you could have just asked,” I said, rubbing the spot where her fingers dug into my skin.

“I know you’re up to something,” she said with a hiss. Her mascara eyes flared open as she pursed her lips together.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, trying to keep my face even. “I’m just here to have a good time.”

Her finger darted out and jabbed into my chest, the pain sharp and quick. “Don’t lie to me! Easton insists that we come to this shitty dance, and for what? He says we need to make an appearance to solidify our image as the rulers of this school, but everyone already knows we run this place. So why come?”

She stared at me as if waiting for the answer.

I shrugged. “To try Mrs. Simpalone’s sugar cookies? I hear they’re good—”

She cut me off. “I know you’ve been getting to him. I know you think you have him wrapped around your little finger,” she held up hers, “but you’re wrong. If he did anything you asked him to, it’s only to get you exactly where he wants you.”

I fought the urge to glance over at Easton. She wanted me to look in his direction. She was trying to make me second-guess everything, just like she’d done with Mills. It was just another of her manipulation tactics. I was getting pretty good at spotting them.

Straightening my shoulders, I said, “I don’t need anything from Easton. I’m here with Hector. He’s all the prize I need.”

“Then where is he?” she said, a smug look on her face letting me know she knew the answer.

My ego began to deflate just a little.

“I’m right here.” A hand slid around my waist.

Hector. My body tingled as it registered him close to me.

Savannah’s eyes darted up to where Hector stood behind me. “Hmm. Where have you been, lover boy?”

I glanced up to examine his handsome face, but he was as cool as a cucumber.

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