Cruel Prince (Royal Hearts Academy, #1)(24)

His statement is like a guillotine. Final.

I curl my arms around myself. Jace has pushed and pulled me around so much; I’m surprised I don’t have whiplash.

“I want to go home.”

The irony. Considering I came here to escape what was happening there.

He nods. “I think that’s a good idea.”

The prickle of tears lodges in my throat, but I refuse to break down in front of him.

“Dylan, wait,” he says as I approach the window.

The traitorous organ in my chest takes flight. “What?”

His throat bobs on a swallow. “I figured it would be best if you heard it from me first.”

“Hear what?”

He shoves his hands into the pockets of his flannel pajama pants. “I’m taking Britney to the dance.”

It’s like I don’t even know who he is anymore.

Neither of us says a word as I crawl out of his bedroom. Out of his life.

“D-d-dylan!” Liam calls out when I reach the end of the driveway.

I’m not really in the mood to talk to anyone, but because it’s Liam, I stop walking.

“Are y-y-you ok-k-kay?” he asks when he catches up to me. “Jac-c-ce s-s-said you’re upset.”

Seeing as I just left, it’s weird he would know that. It’s even weirder that he would send Liam after me. “When? Why would he tell you that?”

He shrugs. “He t-t-texted me and t-t-told me t-t-to c-c-check on you.”

Un-fucking-believable. “Tell your stupid brother if he’s so concerned about my well-being, he should quit being such an asshole and stop sending his little brother to do his dirty work.”

His face falls. “Oh.”

He reaches for my arm when I start walking. “W-w-wait. Let me w-w-walk you home.”

Normally I wouldn’t mind, but all I want to do is go home and sleep.

Hopefully when I wake up, the last twenty-four hours will all be some horrible nightmare, and everything will be back to normal.

“I appreciate it, but I really just want to be alone right now.” I gesture to his house. “The sun’s almost up. You should get some rest.”

He frowns. “Oh. O-k-k-kay.”

I’m passing their mailbox when he utters, “By the w-w-way. T-t-thanks for the T-t-tommy t-t-thing.”

I’m not sure what he means. “What Tommy thing?”

“He mes-s-saged me on Ins-s-stagram and s-s-said you w-w-wouldn’t be friends w-w-with him if he w-w-was mean to me, s-s-so we’re c-c-cool now.”

That’s not exactly what transpired, but if Tommy stops being a prick to Liam, then I’m happy.

I give him a smile. “That’s awesome. See? I told you things would get better.”

He grins. “S-s-see you at s-s-school.”





Chapter 14





Dylan





I shouldn’t be surprised Oakley ditched me again.

However, I am pissed.

My aunt—who’s also not picking up her phone—texted me earlier to say she scored me an interview with Mrs. Dickinson after school.

I’m so desperate I scan the mostly empty parking lot for Sawyer’s minivan.

Of course, there’s no sign of it.

I glance at my watch. “Shit.”

I’d walk, but it’s on the other side of town and my interview is in exactly seventeen minutes.

It will take me at least forty-five to get there on foot. Thirty-five if I start running now.

I rummage through my purse for my phone so I can check my bank account. I have exactly sixty-three bucks, which is enough for an Uber, but not enough to get me lunch the rest of the week.

Actually, make that tomorrow given the overpriced shit they serve here.

Fuck it. I need a job way more than I need lunch money.

I’m opening the app when I hear a deep voice call my name.

I look up at the same time an orange Subaru pulls up to the curb and the driver rolls down the passenger side window.

“Hey, stranger. How you been?”

Holy shit. I’d recognize those dark almond eyes, jet black hair, and crooked smile anywhere.

Tommy DaSilva.

“Hey.” The excitement in my voice betrays me. It’s good to see a childhood friend who doesn’t treat me like garbage. “It’s been forever. How are you?”

He drapes an arm over the passenger seat. “Pretty good. A few ups and downs, but I’m hanging in there.”

“Yeah, I hear you.” It suddenly occurs to me this is the first time I’ve seen him all day. “I had no idea you went here. I didn’t see yo—”

“I don’t.” He sucks in a breath. “My little brother Stone does. Today is his first day of high school and I promised to give him a ride home.”

“Oh.” Disappointment flickers in my chest, but it’s quickly superseded by anxiety. If I have any hope of arriving on time, I need to get a move on. “Give me one second. I have to order an Uber for my job inter—”

“I can give you a lift.”

It’s all I can do not to jump through the window and hug him. “Are you sure? I don’t want to impose.”

“On what? Taking my little brother home?” He pushes the passenger door open and chuckles. “Get in. I won’t take no for an answer.”