The Program (The Program #1)(77)

“Whatever.” I take his hand and let me him help me up, even let him hold my arm as we make it across the muddy field, heading toward the back end of the parking lot.

“You’re filthy,” he says, like it’s a surprise, pausing at his car. “You should let me drive you home.”

“And what about our clothes?” I ask, when I stop outside the passenger door.

“If it were my car, you’d have to ride home naked.” He smiles at the idea. “But since it’s my dad’s, I don’t care if it gets dirty.”

I decide to at least take off my cardigan, leaving the muddy tank top underneath. James takes off his shirt altogether, and I try not to notice. I have to try pretty hard. When we sit in the car and turn to each other, we both crack up.

“Maybe you could spray me down with your hose before I head home?” James asks, starting the car.

“Like a dog.”

“You can scratch my belly if you want.”

“Gross.”

• • •

When we get to my house, my parents are just climbing out of their car. I forgot it was their support group day and they’d be home early. As we stop at the curb, James laughs. “Good thing you didn’t really ride home naked.”

“Not sure this is much of an improvement.” I flip down the mirror and see my mud-covered skin and then glare at James. “I think you’re a bad influence,” I tell him.

He grins. “I hope so.”

I shake my head and start to open the door. “It might be weird if I spray you down on my front lawn while my parents watch,” I say. “Although you strike me as an exhibitionist.”

“Oh, I am. But that’s fine. I’ll wash up at home.”

I get out, but before I close the door, James calls my name. “What?” I ask, a smile teasing my lips.

“It was a good day,” he says simply. “Thanks.”

I agree, then close his door, watching as he drives off. I almost wish I’d stayed in the car. That was . . . nice. In a really strange and dirty way.

“Sloane?” my mother calls, her voice tight. When I turn, the looks on my parents’ faces are almost comical in their confusion.

“Sorry,” I say, although I don’t sound it. “I fell in the mud, and James brought me home.”

“James?” my mother says, exchanging a concerned glance with my father. It stops me cold.

“What?” I ask.

“It’s just . . .” My mother pauses as if debating something. “Sloane, you’re not supposed to date after—”

“Oh, we’re not,” I say quickly. “It’s not like that.”

My mother lets out a held breath. “That’s good. We just want to keep you safe, honey.”

Her tone is tense, but rather than press her, I go inside to clean up. I don’t want to ruin my first fun day in what seems like forever. Or at least, the first one I can remember.

CHAPTER SEVEN

I’M SURPRISED WHEN I WAKE UP THE NEXT MORNING to find Kevin waiting at my front door. I thought we’d gotten past the escorting me to school stage of our relationship. “What’s going on?” I ask.

“We just want to make sure you’re not doing anything to jeopardize your health, Sloane,” my mother says calmly. “So I’ve asked Kevin to watch you a little more closely.” I step back from her as if I’ve been slapped in the face.

“You called the handler on me?” I turn to Kevin. “And what did she say? That I was smiling too much?”

Kevin bristles. “She said you were riding around with James Murphy. Is that true?”

My first instinct is to deny it, but I know there’s no use. “So? We’re friends.” My mother tsks next to me as if I’m confirming her fears. Kevin tilts his head like he’s disappointed.

“This is your warning, Sloane,” he says firmly. “You’re not to have contact with Mr. Murphy anymore. Do you understand?” Kevin looks completely serious, and I think that I’ve killed whatever bond we had. He doesn’t trust me anymore, and like he’d told me before, his main objective is to keep me well, not to help me break the rules.

“Yes,” I say to Kevin, the bitterness clear in my voice. I look over at my mother then, anger rolling over me. “I just got home and already you’re trying to get rid of me?” The minute the words are out, I regret them as her face falls.

But instead of apologizing, I straighten my back and walk out, leaving Kevin to trail behind me.

• • •

My handler takes the seat next to me in math class, blocking my view of James. I’m so surprised by Kevin’s change in demeanor that I don’t bother talking to him. He’s like a real handler now.

I wonder if James has been warned as well, especially with how severe a reaction Kevin is having. Then again, if they’d ordered James to stay at least fifty feet away from me, it’d probably make him want to talk to me more, so I smile. I’d thought that maybe he was a jerk, or difficult. But after yesterday, I feel light. As if James reminded me what it was like to have fun again.

After class, I walk down the hallway with Kevin carrying my books like I’m helpless, when my phone vibrates in my pocket. I’m not sure who would text me other than my mother, and I definitely don’t want to talk to her. But then I see James down the hall, leaning against the lockers. He’s got a phone in his hand, twisting it between his fingers as if he’s waiting for something.