Cruel Prince (Royal Hearts Academy, #1)(69)

That’s a distorted version of an event if I’ve ever heard one.

Britney’s not done yet. “I know I hurt you when I told you we should take a break, but I meant what I said about wanting to be friends.” She tries touching his face, but Jace turns his head. “This is me being your friend. I suggest you don’t do anything to screw that up.”

I’m starting to think she’s the inebriated one, because that’s not what happened at all.

I open my mouth to say something, but Jace starts laughing.

Hysterically.

“Jesus Christ.” He’s literally shaking with laughter. “Your easy access snatch used to be worth the side of freak show that came with it, but not anymore.”

My jaw drops. So does Britney’s.

“Want some cream for that burn?” Oakley calls out.

She shoots him a dirty look before focusing on Jace. “Look, this is your last chance. Do you want to stop being a drunk, belligerent asshole so I can take you home or not?”

He tosses me his keys. “Ready when you are.”

He doesn’t have to tell me twice.

“I swear to God if you leave with her,” Britney warns when he staggers over to me. “I will tell everyone about your little issue.”

Back to her, he flips her the bird.

“Fine. But just so you know, the alcohol will only make that limp dick of yours even more limp.” Her smile is cruel as she looks around the patio. “It’s why I broke up with him tonight. He no longer has what it takes to satisfy me, or any other girl…if you catch my drift.”

My hands curl into fists as Jace turns around.

“You can’t break up with someone who never wanted to date you in the first place,” he snarls. “And maybe my dick would have liked you better if you took care of your little issue down south.” Waving a hand in front of his face, he steps to her. “I’m no doctor, but I’m positive your cunt shouldn’t smell like something crawled up there and died.”

Well, shit. Not only are his words brutal, they’re punctuated by the fact that he seriously looks like he’s going to be sick.

“If I had to spend another minute in that room with you and your fish box, I would have—”

I watch in equal parts horror and enchantment as he projectile vomits chunks of pineapple pizza and whiskey all over her.

Britney screams so loud I’m surprised my eardrums don’t shatter while everyone laughs and cheers.

Jace takes off his shirt and wipes his mouth with it before throwing it at her. “I would have done that.”

He looks over at me. “You ready?”

I try not to focus on those washboard abs of his on display. “Yup.” I sling an arm around his waist when he sways. “But what do you say we find you a toothbrush and some mouthwash first?”





Chapter 30





Dylan





Apart from warning me not to crash his Lexus and asking to stop at a twenty-four-hour gas station, Jace hasn’t said a word since we got in the car.

On the bright side, he’s looking much better after puking all over Britney.

He flips the hood of his sweatshirt up—the one he asked me to fish out of his trunk while he got cleaned up in the bathroom. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to go in for you?”

He steps out of the vehicle, slamming the door behind him.

Guess that’s a no.

Between the black hoodie and his indignant expression, you’d think he was about to commit a crime as he walks into the tiny convenience store.

Two minutes later he comes back out, carrying a can of ginger ale and a bottle of water. “Let’s go.”

Shifting his Lexus into drive, I mutter, “Are you allergic to manners?”

All I get in reply is a grunt.

We’re almost to his house when he gestures to my side of the road. “Make a left here.”

“That’s not the way to your house.”

“We’re not going to my house.”

That isn’t ominous or anything. I slam on the brakes. “Why?”

“I’m not in the mood to go home yet, all right?” He crosses his arms. “Start driving…or I will.”

I step on the gas pedal and make a left. “As you wish.” Dick.

I’m not sure where we’ll end up, but the narrow, winding road combined with the pouring rain gives me the creeps.

“Turn right,” he instructs.

“Where exactly are we going?”

I have my answer as we approach what appears to be a run-down park.

I pick a spot and turn the car off. “I didn’t know there was a park here.”

“They built it after you left, but the rich pricks on our side of town weren’t interested in it.” He lays his head against the seat. “So now it just rots.”

“That sucks.”

We sit in silence for what feels like forever before I find my proverbial balls. “Jace, can we—”

“No.” There’s a dark note in his voice, a warning not to poke the beast. “I can’t fucking go there. Not tonight.”

I don’t know where there is, but I don’t want to upset him on his birthday, so I drop it. “Okay.”