Cruel Prince (Royal Hearts Academy, #1)(18)

“What? Did your best friend have sex with your boyfriend or something?”

“More like my worst enemy,” I whisper before I can stop myself.

Evidently, I’m in need of a friend more than I thought because I’m one extra shirt away from spilling all my secrets.

Sadness clouds her eyes. “Ouch. That would definitely explain your trust issues.” She smiles. “For what it’s worth, you don’t have to worry about me having sex with anyone but my future husband.” There’s a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “Or Nick Jonas. Because heaven help me, I would ride him frontward, backward, and sideways on a Sunday.”

I start to smile, but it occurs to me that if we’re going to be friends, I should let Sawyer in on the truth. “Since we’re on the subject of sex, let me state for the record that I didn’t fuck my cousin. Oakley started the stupid rumor to get back at me because he thinks I ratted him out to his dad about smoking weed in the basement.”

“Okay, let me get this straight…you’re saying you didn’t fuck your cousin?” Her face falls. “Damn. I’m not sure I want to be friends with you anymore. The apple’s lost its shine, you know?”

I kind of love that she’s as fluent in sarcasm as I am. “Well, shit. Would you reconsider if I tell you about the time I got drunk and dry-humped my uncle?”

A mixture of shock and intrigue washes over her features. “Really?”

“No. My dad’s an only child.”

She starts to laugh, but the sound of the late bell ringing cuts it short. “Crap.” Before I can protest, she steers me toward the exit. “What’s your next class?”

“Chemistry.”

She winces as we walk out the door. “Mrs. Beck can be difficult, but I can help yo—”

Her sentence is interrupted by the sound of something heavy hitting a locker…followed by shouting.

When we turn to see what the commotion is, my breath freezes in my throat.

Jace’s arm is pinned over some poor guy’s neck while Oakley and Cole stand in front of a visibly irate girl who’s so pretty, I have to do a double-take.

“Leave him alone, Jace. We were only kissing.”

Sawyer tugs on my arm. “Let’s go. Jace Covington is not only bad news, he’s Britney’s obsession. Your life will be so much easier if you stay away from him and the drama his family causes…especially now that baby Covington has entered the chat.”

Oh, shit. Last time I saw Bianca she had a mouthful of braces and still watched cartoons.

Now she’s…

I can see why Jace wants to pummel her make-out buddy.

“Go to class, Bianca,” Jace grits through his teeth. “I’ll deal with you when we get home.”

Before she can protest, he seizes the guy’s collar and slams his head against the locker. “She’s a goddamn freshman, pervert.” The guy starts to speak, but Jace pulls him forward and slams him against the metal for a second time. “She’s also my baby sister.”

The dude looks positively petrified and I can’t say I blame him.

Jace has always had deep-rooted anger issues—but most people wouldn’t know because they usually mistake his silence for contentment.

However, deep down, he’s quietly stewing in all the rage simmering beneath the surface…like a deadly volcano on the verge of erupting.

It’s why I sought him out on the playground that day.

We were best friends…but our demons were kindred spirits.

“I had no idea, man,” the guy chokes out. When Jace eases up slightly, he adds, “She told me she was a senior and a foreign exchange student.”

Bianca winks at him. “Bonjour.”

Sawyer motions for us to leave again, but I stay rooted to the spot. Jace is a jerk, but I can’t shake this intrinsic need to make sure he doesn’t do something stupid.

Like commit homicide in the middle of a school hallway.

“See?” he proclaims innocently as Jace takes a step back. “It was all her. She was practically beg—”

His sentence is cut short by Jace’s fist.

“Try not to rough him up too much,” Cole utters as Jace winds his arm back, preparing to deal him another one. “The first game of the year is Friday and Declan’s one of the better players on the defensive line.”

The knee Jace sails into Declan’s groin makes it clear he doesn’t give a shit about his brother’s upcoming football game.

“Jesus Christ, Covington,” the guy wails as Jace strikes his jaw. “You made your point, all right? I won’t go near her again.”

Bianca rolls her eyes. “Pussy.”

Oakley and Cole snicker, but Jace isn’t amused. In fact, he appears to be growing angrier with every passing second.

Whatever’s happening now goes beyond some guy hooking up with his little sister.

“Take Bianca to class.” Jace’s tone is clipped. Threatening. “Now.”

“Are you serious?” Bianca groans as Cole shoves her messenger bag at her and Oakley takes hold of her elbow. “I’m not a bab—”

Jace sends a sharp kick to his adversary’s stomach. It’s so brutal I wince as he slumps down the locker. “Get the fuck up—”