Cruel Prince (Royal Hearts Academy, #1)(84)

I want him to run after me, tell me he made a mistake and that he’ll never let me go again…but he’s already made it perfectly clear I’m the only mistake he made tonight.





Chapter 36





Dylan





“Why is it so freaking cold?” Sawyer gripes as we walk up the stands.

I feel her pain. The temperatures don’t usually drop below sixty-five in November, but tonight it’s almost fifty. Far too cold for our west coast blood.

“I don’t know, but I’m grateful it’s my first and last football game of the season.”

Behind us, Oakley groans. “Would you two quit your bitching? You’re putting negative energy into the universe right before my boy’s big game.”

“Whatever, you big hippie,” I tease as we find some empty seats and park our asses.

“Remind me again why we came tonight?” Sawyer says through chattering teeth. “I’m pretty sure my brain is frozen.”

I point to my cousin, who’s sitting between us. “Ask him.”

Oakley rolls his eyes. “I told you, Cole banned me from coming to any of his games because he thinks I’m bad luck.”

Sawyer scrunches her face. “So you’re here because…”

“It’s the last home game of the season,” he states with wide eyes. “I figure what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.” He taps his head. “After all, luck only exists in here.” His voice drops down to a whisper. “Plus, I’ll be out five-hundred bucks if the Vikings don’t take the Knights.”

Sawyer and I exchange a glance.

“You mean if the Knights don’t take the Vikings.”

Oakley looks sheepish. “Sure. Let’s go with that.”

Sawyer smacks his arm. “You bet against the Knights?”

I smack his other arm. “What is wrong with you? I thought Cole was your friend?”

Oakley looks around. “Will you two keep your voices down?” He rolls his shoulders. “Cole is my boy, but everyone in Royal Manor is banking on the Knights whooping the Vikings.”

“Yeah, everyone except you,” Sawyer points out.

“Pipe down, short stack.” His expression turns pensive. “Like I said, everyone is banking on the Knights going to the state championship game…which means there’s a hell of a lot of money on the line for some lucky asshole if the Vikings win.”

“I thought you didn’t believe in luck?”

“Yeah,” Sawyer mocks while pointing to her head. “I thought luck only existed in here.”

He makes a face. “Would you two get off my case?” He pulls out his phone. “Talk amongst yourselves until the game starts…and then…” He makes a zipping motion across his lips before focusing back on his phone.

“Fine,” Sawyer says before focusing on me. “Have you decided what you’re going to do yet?”

“I’m not sure there’s really anything to do.” I shrug. “I gave the shoes to my aunt. She was a little confused since she told me not to worry about it but otherwise thankful.”

She wasn’t the only one.

Two days ago, I opened my locker to find a box containing a pair of Louboutins identical to the ones I wore the night I took an unsolicited dip in Jace’s pool.

To say I was shocked was an understatement, but then Oakley let it slip that a few days after our disastrous night together Jace asked him to find out my aunt’s shoe size so he could order her a new pair.

Evidently, they were on backorder due to the upcoming holidays, but he was able to track down a pair this week.

The thought of Jace Covington jumping through hoops so he could get my aunt a pair of shoes is…mind-boggling.

Especially since we haven’t spoken.

Sawyer purses her lips. “I’d say text him, but after wham, bam, thank you ma ’am-ing you before kicking yo—”

“Okay,” Oakley declares. “That’s enough girl talk.”

Sawyer looks over his head. “I think they’re serving gourmet hot chocolate at the concession stand tonight. Want to get some?”

It will be the most expensive cocoa powder and water I’ve ever had, but it’s freezing, so I’m game. “Sure, let’s go.” I look at Oakley. “Want anything?”

He starts to speak but Sawyer cuts him off. “Dylan, he’s a traitor. Let the boy fend for himself.”

I suspect my girl may be a not-so-secret fan of the Knights.

Or maybe just Cole. Then again, she still swears she doesn’t like him and claims he makes her skin crawl…so maybe not.

“Sorry, cous. Knights’ fans only,” I say before we scurry down the stairs.

“Are you going to Christian’s tonight?” Sawyer asks after we get in line.

“Probably not. I’m pooped.”

She frowns. “I forgot you had to work on Thanksgiving.” She gives her head a shake. “Even my boss wasn’t that heartless, and that’s saying something.”

Yup, Sawyer’s boss at Cluck You—the chicken restaurant she works at—makes mine look like a saint.

“It wasn’t so bad. Only a half-day yesterday. Granted we were slammed the whole time.”