Cruel Prince (Royal Hearts Academy, #1)(25)

He doesn’t have to worry about that. I’m in no position to object his kind offer. “Thanks. The interview is at a place called Top of the Muffin.”

“I’ve been there a few times. The owner is kind of rude, but the food’s good.”

That’s…reassuring.

I notice a football jersey and helmet along with a gym bag in his back seat. “I didn’t know you played football.”

His eyebrows dance. “Yup, I’ve been a Viking since sophomore year.” He winks. “Some say I’m the best linebacker since Lawrence Taylor.”

“I have no idea who that is, but he’s got a stellar last name.”

He places his hand over his heart, feigning offense. “Ouch. Come on, Dylan. The Giants. Dude was a legend on the field.” He winces. “Off the field is a different story, but—” His eyes shift to something behind me. “There he is. Finally.”

I watch as a younger, highly irritated version of Tommy swings open the door and climbs into the backseat.

Despite his visibly sour mood, Tommy smiles at him. “About time, rugrat.”

The boy’s frown deepens. “Who’s the chick? Another jersey chaser?”

Tamping down my annoyance, I extend a hand. “Hi, I’m Dylan. I’m an old friend of Tommy’s.”

He dismisses my hand and directs his attention to his brother. “Deal’s off, prick. You couldn’t pay me enough to spend another day in that hellhole.”

Amen to that. Royal Hearts Academy sucks balls.

“It’s only your first day,” Tommy grits through his teeth. “It will get better.”

“Fat fucking chance,” the kid barks. “Not with that stupid bitch there it won’t.”

Woah. That’s some colorful vocabulary for a fourteen-year-old.

Tommy shifts the car into drive. “What happened?”

Stone whips out his phone and shoves it in his brother’s face. “I don’t know, you tell me.”

Tommy slams on the brakes. “I’m driv—what the fuck?” It’s obvious he’s trying his hardest not to laugh. “Damn, all this time I thought I was the one with the shitty genes.” Genuine pity flashes in his eyes. “You’re only fourteen, man. I’m sure it will grow.”

“Fuck you, shithead. That ain’t my dick.”

I nearly choke on my spit.

“That cunt got a picture of me from Debbie and photoshopped some dude’s baby dick on it.”

Tommy tilts the phone, and I regret not closing my eyes. It’s going to be near impossible to get that disturbing visual out of my head.

One thing’s for sure, whoever did it is a photoshop pro.

The only thing that’s off about the pic is the way Stone’s flexing his muscles in the mirror and smiling smugly, appearing mighty proud of his microscopic peen.

“Debbie’s his girlfriend,” Tommy supplies.

“Ex-girlfriend,” Stone corrects. “Any bitch who’d give Bianca a private photo of me so she can destroy my life can go fuck herself with a spiked dildo.”

I sit up in my seat. “Wait, Bianca Covington did this?”

Stone nods. “Yup.”

That seems…excessive. Even for her. “Why?”

Stone snorts. “Because I’m Tom—”

“You’re gonna be late for your job interview,” Tommy cuts in. He glances at Stone through the rearview mirror. “Relax. We’ll sort it out later.”

Stone shakes his head. “No. I told you, I’m done. There’s no way I’ll recover from this shit. Not unless I drop my pants, show her my real cock, and then shove it down her throat in front of everyone.”

Jesus. “Jace will literally kill you if you mess with his little sister.”

Just today he kicked the crap out of a senior she tricked into hooking up with her. I shudder to think what he’d do to a guy forcing his dick down her throat.

Stone’s eyes become tiny slits. “Funny, because last time I checked, it was the DaSilvas wh—”

“Shut up,” Tommy snaps. “Stop bringing up old bullshit.”

Stone rolls his eyes. “Whatever. You’re officially on your own when it comes to your old bullshit. When we get home, I’m telling Mom I want to go back to public school. If she says no, I’ll run away.”

Tommy steps on the gas. “Fine. Do you, bro.”

Given his little brother’s outburst, I can’t help but wonder. “Is there still bad blood between you and Jace?”

If there is, I’m almost positive whose photoshop skills were utilized for Stone’s picture.

Not many people know it, but Jace is a savant when it comes to computers.

Graphics, programming, and creating his own video games are just a few of his areas of expertise. He can spend days—sometimes hours—in front of a computer screen doing things that would take mere mortals years to perfect.

Tommy grips the steering wheel. “No. I mean, not really.” His expression turns solemn. “Truth be told, I don’t think he’ll ever forgive me for how I used to treat his brother.”

“But you and Liam were friends before…”

My heart pangs and I can’t bring myself to finish that sentence.