Cruel Prince (Royal Hearts Academy, #1)(58)

Eat it up, baby.

Because it will be a cold day in hell before I touch you again.

Reaching over my dashboard, I tap a button on the touchscreen.

Britney picks up on the second ring. “Hey.”

“You busy?”

“No, why?”

“Meet me outside your house in ten.”





Chapter 27





Dylan





“Do you need a ride home?” There’s no hiding the slight edge in Oakley’s voice.

“Nope.” I take my blazer out of my locker. October in Royal Manor means the weather is gorgeous during the day and chilly at night. “But thanks for asking.”

The look he gives me is full of contempt. “I don’t like this, Dylan. I don’t like this one bit.”

Oak’s made his aversion to me seeing Tommy well-known. Whenever I ask him what exactly he has against Tommy personally when he’s never even spoken to him, he goes on a tangent about how Jace is like a brother and if Jace hates Tommy’s guts, then he does too.

It’s so juvenile. Almost as juvenile as the fact that Jace hasn’t spoken to me in a month.

Actually, that’s not quite right. Him not speaking to me is something I can deal with.

The asshole literally doesn’t acknowledge my existence.

“Yo, Oak,” Cole calls out as he and Jace sidle up to my locker. “Let me holler at you real quick.”

Speak of the devil and he’ll appear.

Oakley leans against my locker, closing it. “What’s good, man?”

I poke him in the shoulder. “Do you mind? I still have to get my Chemistry book.”

He starts to move, but then Cole says, “How do you feel about strippers?”

Oakley stays rooted to the spot, grinning like a fool. “I feel awesome about strippers.”

I nudge him again. “Can you mo—”

“Great,” Cole interjects. “I think we should hire some for Jace’s birthday party next week.”

“Hell motherfucking yes,” Oakley exclaims. “That’s the best idea you’ve ever had.”

I throw my hands up. It’s clear Oakley’s attention is elsewhere, but I refuse to leave without my textbook.

“I know.” Cole slaps Jace’s arm. “Now please tell this asshole that, because he said he doesn’t want them.”

Oakley looks insulted. “Dude, why?” Reaching over, he places his palm on Jace’s forehead. “You feeling all right?”

Jace swats his hand away. “I’m fine. I just don’t see why we need to hire strippers for my birthday.”

“Because you’re turning eighteen,” Cole says. “You’re officially legal.” He drapes his arm over Jace’s shoulder. “The least I can do for my big brother is buy him a few dozen exotic dancers.”

“And a big booty hoe jumping out of a cake,” Oakley adds.

“My man.” Cole gives him a pound. “I like the way you think.”

Seriously? “They’re human beings, jackasses. Not hoes.”

Cole gives me the stink eye. “Take that feminist bullshit elsewhere, party pooper. This is between me and my boys.”

“Hate to point out the obvious, but one of your boys doesn’t seem to be into the idea. Seeing as it’s his birthday, you probably shouldn’t force him to do something he doesn’t want to.”

Too far, Dylan. Too far.

“On second thought, strippers sound perfect.” Jace smiles at his brother. “The more the merrier.”

Dickhead.

“Hey,” Sawyer greets me as she joins our little circle. “I found my old notes for chemistry if you still want them.”

“Yes.” I glare at Oakley. “At this point, they’re the only thing I’ll have to study with tonight since someone refuses to move.”

“Chill.” Oakley slides out of the way. “I got side-tracked.”

“Yo, Sawyer,” Cole says as I open my locker and shove my chemistry book into my bag. “I was wondering if your church would be willing to contribute to a good cause next week.”

Sawyer raises an eyebrow. “Uh, according to my mom, our funds are pretty tapped out, but I’ll see what I can do.” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “What do you need?”

“Donation baskets.” He looks at Jace and Oakley. “I figure we can have them going around the room while the girls are stripping and giving Jace lap dances.”

“Word,” Oak says. “Way classier than throwing cash at them.”

Sawyer blinks. “Let me get this straight. You want my church to loan you our donation baskets for strippers?” She grimaces. “What the hell is the matter with you? Hard pass.”

“Fine, but just so you know, there are other ways to donate.” Cole shoots her a lewd grin. “Like giving me a private show, for example.”

She wrinkles her nose. “In your dreams, pig.”

He bites his lip. “Nah, sweetness. In my dreams, you’d be doing a whole lot more than stripping.”

Sawyer turns redder than a tomato.

Linking my arm through one of hers, I save her from the enemy. “Come on, let’s leave the dirty boys to their enthralling conversation.”