The Help (Kings of Linwood Academy, #1)(34)

I’m glad.

Not so much because she goes easy on me, but because she hasn’t gone out with anyone in a while, and I like to see her happy. I wish she’d tell me who this clown is so I could Google the fuck out of him though.

Ah well. If they go out again, I’ll make her spill the beans. She’s usually not great at keeping secrets anyway.

On Saturday night, two days after my little tussle with Savannah, Mom pops into my room to say goodbye on her way out. She looks gorgeous, with her dark brown hair done up in a loose, casual style and a teal green top that’s classy and flattering.

I can tell she’s excited but nervous, so I “ooh” and “aah” over her before giving her a kiss on the cheek and sending her on her way. I make her promise to be home by midnight and use protection, because I’ve gotta give her a little shit while I’m at it, right?

Once she’s gone, I slip on my pajamas and curl up to read. Lauren told me about a house party tonight, but I’m really not in the mood for that right now. I’m still sort of reeling from the last party I “attended”.

I’m just starting a new chapter when there’s a knock on my door. I glance up, surprised. It’s only been a little over an hour. If Mom’s back already, it must’ve been the worst date in history.

“Yeah?” I call. “Come in!”

The door opens, but it’s not my mom.

It’s Lincoln.

And as he steps inside, he’s followed by Dax, Chase, and River.

It’s weird and unexpected enough to have me on my feet in an instant. Lincoln hasn’t been in my room since the morning he barged in on me naked, and the others have never been in here. They’re all dressed in dark colors, and they have serious expressions on their faces.

“What?” I blurt. Did something happen to my mom? But why would they be the ones to come tell me?

“We need you,” Lincoln says simply.

I blink. “What?”

“My favor,” River clarifies. “I’m calling it in.”

Oh.

Oh fuck.

I swallow, tossing my book down on the bed and crossing my arms over my chest, intensely aware that once again, I’m standing in front of all these guys in nothing but a thin tank and a little pair of shorts.

“Yeah? So what do you want?”

My words sound almost challenging, but that’s only because I have to force them out past a throat that wants to close up in panic. Whatever he’s going to say, I’m not sure I’m ready to hear it.

“Here. Put this on.” He tosses a small black garment on the bed, but I just stare at it like it’s a snake about to strike. He rolls his eyes. “Come on. We don’t have all night.”

Nope. No fucking way.

I lift my chin higher, fixing him with a hard glare. I’m not doing shit until they tell me what’s going on here. “What happens after I put it on?”

River doesn’t seem inclined to answer, but Chase steps forward, turning his charm up to full blast. “Nothing much. We just need you to impersonate a waitress at a strip club.”

“What?” My eyes bug out of my head.

“Why, you don’t think anyone will buy it?” He smirks. “Believe me, Pool Girl. They will.”

“Why?” I scratch out.

“Because it’s Trent Calloway’s birthday, and that’s where he’ll be tonight. We need you to sneak upstairs and get some video documentation when he gets a private lap dance.”

Every bit of information they add only confuses me more. “Why?” I repeat.

Chase sighs, like he’s having to explain this to someone a little dim. “He’s been getting a bit too big for his britches. We just need a little something to keep him in line if it comes down to that.”

“What, like blackmail?”

“She gets it!” He raises his hands over his head in exaggerated relief. Then he grins at me. “Yeah, like that.”

“So you want me to take a video of him getting a lap dance.”

“Yeah. He’s captain of the football team; it goes against his whole good boy persona. Plus, his parents are super conservative. There’s no way he’ll want that tape to get out.”

“What are you hoping to make him do?” I ask suspiciously. I’m not really into helping these guy’s wreck someone’s life, even if Trent is kind of a dick. So are they.

“Just back off our territory, that’s all. He’s got football. He doesn’t need the whole school.” Chase cocks his head, as if he’s impressed at my moral fortitude for not wanting to do this. “We’ll only release it if we absolutely have to. More than likely, the only person who’ll see it is him. That’ll be enough.”

“No questions asked,” River says in a low voice.

My gaze snaps to him.

Right. Those were the terms of the damn bet.

Well, at least Chase decided to tell me something. This is dumb and immature, but it’s actually not anywhere near as bad as some of the possible scenarios I was envisioning.

“Fine. Give me two minutes.” I snatch up the dress and head for the bathroom.

“Take your time,” Lincoln calls after me, and I can hear the grin in his voice.

Those dicks. I’m sure this really is about setting Trent up, but I’m also sure they’re enjoying the hell out of the fact that they managed to incorporate a little extra humiliation for me.