“But I also don’t understand how you could stay friends with Reg.”

She snorts in disgust. “Have you ever heard of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer?”

He gets it. “Sure.” How many times has he given his teammates a pass because they’re supposed to be friends? He’s walked that tightrope so many times and he’s still on it. Can’t blame Kerrianne for doing the same. He’s stood on the fringe with these guys for a long time. Too long. What a mess, he thinks. He’s determined to fix it.

His gaze slides over to her. “I understand Reg has the pictures, but if you explain this to Principal McNeil—”

Kerrianne lets out a derisive laugh. “You don’t get it.”

“Then explain it to me.”

“I gave Reg the list. When he vandalized Daniel’s locker, he told me he did it. He’s stolen from people’s lockers and gotten away with it. It’s a game for him. He promised that if I turn him in or if he gets caught, he’ll make sure I go down in flames with him. He said he’ll tell Principal McNeil that I’ve been in on it from the beginning. It’s his word against mine.”

“I’ll back you. We’ll tell him that he’s threatened you. Reg can’t get away with this.”

She shakes her head. “Please, Mason.” The tears return. “Reg has the power to destroy my reputation, my life. You’ve kept me safe. There’s only three more months until graduation and this nightmare will be over.”

Mason doesn’t have a clue how to respond. Rage seeps into him like black smoke from a smoldering fire. As much as he feels sorry for Kerrianne, it’s not enough. He shakes his head. “No. There has to be some way I can make Reg pay for everything he’s done.”

“Please, please, Mason. I’ll get expelled. I won’t be able to go to college. My life will be over.”

Mason starts the engine and doesn’t respond to Kerrianne. On way too many occasions, Reg and Jesse and Spencer have gone too far. How many times for the sake of the team did Mason do nothing?

He’s done with doing nothing.

With unshakable resolve, Mason says, “I’ll handle it and I’ll keep you out of it. I’ll keep you safe.”

“How?”

“When I know, you’ll know.”

Chapter 49: Cade

Thwack.

I spin around and there’s Logan standing ten feet away on the sidewalk, grinning at me like a fool. Seeing her again after a day being treated like an infectious disease makes everything better. I wipe the snow dripping down the back of my neck. “You serious? You’re challenging me to a snowball fight?”