Cruel Prince (Royal Hearts Academy, #1)(73)

The only bright side to all this is that he won’t talk to Britney either. According to the RHA rumor mill, she’s already moved on. And if those rumors are right…it’s with Cole.

Which is the reason for the scowl on Sawyer’s face while she visits me at work.

“I don’t understand,” Sawyer huffs. “What in the world would Cole see in her?”

Same thing Jace did.

“Her double Ds?” I offer as I wipe down the counter.

Then again, my friend’s rack is pretty spectacular. Not to mention, she has a way better personality.

Cole is a straight-up dumbass for not pursuing her.

“I thought…” Shaking her head, she looks down. “Forget it. It doesn’t matter.”

Oh, man. She might not realize it yet, but she’s got it bad.

“You thought what?”

“That maybe, just maybe he was different from all the other jerks in the popular crew.” She shrugs. “I don’t even know why. But, obviously I was wrong and he’s not.”

Her disappointment is tangible.

I wish I could tell her something positive, but I’ve got nothing. Boys suck. Especially the Covington boys.

“I’m sorry, Sawyer.”

“Oh, dearie. He didn’t lick it off a stone,” Mrs. Dickinson declares as she removes a tray of croissants from the oven.

The look on Sawyer’s face tells me she’s as mystified as I am by my boss’s statement.

“I don’t know what that means,” Sawyer says. “Why would Cole lick a stone?”

Mrs. Dickinson sighs. “It means that people’s personalities and actions are always influenced by someone.” She opens the cash register and slips some bills into an envelope. “Perhaps he’s involved with this lass because he feels like it’s the kind of girl he’s supposed to date.”

As much as I hate to admit it, my boss may not be too far from the truth. Cole is the star quarterback…and as of now, Britney is the head cheerleader. They go together like peanut butter and jelly.

Or rather, peanut butter and some artificial gelatinous substance with no calories, because Britney.

“She’s right. I highly doubt Cole’s actually into her. He’s just keeping up appearances because of his social status.”

Mrs. Dickinson nods. “Like my mother used to say—if you lie down with dogs, you’ll rise with fleas.”

“Exactly.” I give Sawyer a smile. “But the big flea graduates this year, so she’ll be gone soon.”

Sawyer frowns. “So will you.”

“It’s not like I’m going away to college.” Heck, I couldn’t afford it even if I wanted to. “We’ll still see each other on weekends and talk on the phone.”

“Promise?”

I hold out my pinky. “Swear it.”

She wraps her pinky around mine and waggles her eyebrows. “Does this mean you’ll tell me what happened with Jace?”

I go back to cleaning the counters. “I told you. He was drunk, it was his birthday, we hooked up…and now he’s back to pretending I don’t exist.”

She purses her lips. “Did you ask him why he’s so mad at you?”

“I tried, but he didn’t want to talk about it.” I scrub the counters with more vigor. “I’m beginning to think I’ll never find out. And to be honest, I’m starting to care less and less. Screw Jace Covington, I’m over him and his games.”

I heard if you repeat the same thing over and over, sooner or later you’ll start to believe it.

Sawyer eyes me skeptically. “Guess that explains why you’re going out with Tommy tonight.”

Yes. “No. Tommy’s my…well, friend. Sort of. We’re still taking it slow.”

“So slow you went from hanging out every day to not seeing him for almost two whole weeks,” Sawyer points out.

“I’ve been studying,” I defend, despite knowing the truth.

The truth being I’ve been waiting for Jace to get his act together. But he’s not…so it’s time to move on.

Sawyer and Mrs. Dickinson exchange a glance.

I wag my finger at them. “Stop that. I’m not using Tommy to get back at Jace. I genuinely have feelings for him.”

They just don’t come close to the feelings I have for Jace.

Mrs. Dickinson clicks her tongue. “Put silk on a goat and it’s still a goat.”

“Tommy isn’t a goat.” Opening the glass cabinet, I cut the slice of banana bread Sawyer ordered. “Are you sure you’re not giving me grief because you want him?”

I regret the words the moment I see Sawyer’s hurt expression.

“No. I told you it didn’t—”

“I know.” I place the bread in a pastry bag. “I’m sorry, okay? I’m just…I guess part of me realizes it’s wrong to string Tommy along, but I’m not doing it to be a bitch. I’m doing it because I really want things to work out between us. I’m tired of being stuck on Jace’s messed up merry-go-round. For once, I’d like to see what it’s like to have someone treat me like gold and give back as much effort as I put in, you know?”

Sadness lines her features. “Yeah, I get it.” Rising on her tiptoes, she smacks a kiss on my cheek. “I’ll be at choir rehearsal tonight, but I’ll text you after I get out. I want to hear all about your romantic date.”