Cruel Prince (Royal Hearts Academy, #1)(105)

Pressure tightens against my ribs. Of course, I didn’t know.

My head spins. “Tommy to—”

“Save it,” she grits out through clenched teeth. “We already know about you and Tommy.” A scowl twists her mouth as she takes a step forward. “And how you took advantage of Liam so you could get back at Jace for being with Britney.”

The implication hits me like a brick. Liam and I were friends.

I would never use him to hurt Jace. I’d never use Liam, period.

I shake my head. “I didn’t—”

“Bianca,” Jace growls and she glares at him.

“You promised Liam you wouldn’t tell Dylan he was in love with her…not me.” She turns her furious gaze my way again. “Besides, it’s not like the bitch didn’t know. It was all part of her master plan, remember? Take Liam to the dance, make him think he actually stood a chance with her…and then boom…crush you both like bugs.” Her eyes become glassy. “How do you live with yourself? How do you wake up every day knowing you’re responsible for taking someone so amazing out of this world?”

I try to take a breath past the ache in my ribs, but it hurts too much. This can’t be real.

“I didn’t...I’m so sorry,” I choke out, my legs buckling.

I didn’t intentionally hurt Liam, but it doesn’t matter.

He died because of me.

A rush of emotion squeezes my heart, catching me by the throat.

Oh, God. I killed my friend.

She spits in my face. “Fuck you and your apology.” She lunges for me, but Cole and Jace rush over. “You already killed one of my brothers. I’m not going to stand by and watch you do it again. Stay the hell away from Jace, or I swear to God, I will ruin your life.”

She struggles against Jace when he picks her up. “Get out before I wrap a rope around your neck!” She starts sobbing so hard she trembles. “I hate you.” A guttural sound leaves her, and it cuts through me like glass. “I miss him so much.”

Jace wraps his arms around her small frame. “I know you do.” He closes his eyes. “I miss him too.”

Mr. Covington looks as helpless as I feel when his gaze lands on me. “You need to leave.”

He’s right.

I’ve already destroyed this family, the least I can do is stay far away.





Chapter 43





Dylan





“Dylan?”

I’m not sure how Sawyer knew I’d be here, but it doesn’t matter.

I’m still not going to talk to her.

The headstone I’m currently staring at is a glaring reminder that I’m the worst friend in the world.

I hurt the people who care about me. Just like my father does.

It’s best I stay away from Sawyer, Jace, and everyone else I love. For good.

Not taking the hint, Sawyer kneels down next to me. “You haven’t been at school the last three days. I tried calling and texting, but you didn’t respond.”

Because I love you and I don’t want you to end up in a grave like Liam.

Clearing her throat, she tries a different tactic. “I talked to Cole and Oakley…they told me what happened. Well, Cole mostly. Oak only knew as much as I did.”

She reaches for my hand, but I pull it back.

“Dylan, what happened wasn’t your fault.”

“If you honestly believe that, then Cole must not have told you everything,” I whisper, drawing my knees to my chest.

“He did.” She gives me a small smile. “I threatened to slash the tires on his new car if he didn’t.”

Her fingertips caress the marble headstone. “I didn’t know Cole had a twin brother.”

I close my eyes. Had.

“Yeah, well, that’s because of me.”

Her face scrunches. “That’s no—”

“Stop.”

I don’t want her to defend what I did and tell me a bunch of shit to make me feel better.

I don’t deserve compassion.

Liam died because I hurt him. Nothing will ever change that.

“His favorite color was green,” I inform her. “He loved zombie movies and he was so smart he probably would have become a doctor or scientist.”

If only he had the chance.

Tears roll down my cheeks, but I make no move to wipe them away. “He was sweet and kind…even when others weren’t.” I look at her. “You know how after a person dies, their family and friends claim they lit up a room and were the best person they’d ever known?”

She nods.

“It’s bullshit. Most people don’t light up rooms and they most definitely aren’t inherently selfless and compassionate…not like Liam was.” I turn back to the headstone. “Liam didn’t just light up a room—he lit up the whole world…until I broke his heart.”

And now everything’s gray.

“That’s n—”

“Pineapple pizza was his favorite food. He hated ice cream because he loathed the cold. He loved having pancakes for breakfast…but only the first two out of the stack. Jace used to give him a hard time about it, but it always made sense to me. The other pancakes just aren’t as flu—”