Inheriting a SECRET (Corrigan & Co. #7)(31)

“Romancing a horse now, Darce?” Nate asks. Coming up behind me.

“Jealous? I mean, we all know Jade loves Cherub more than you. You worried about losing me to a horse, too.”

“She doesn’t love Cherub more. He’s like our child, she says.”

“Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that, big guy.”

“I didn’t come over here to talk about horses.”

“If you came to talk about Brayden, you might as well keep your mouth closed.”

“Even if I want to tell you how good it is to see you happy?”

“Really?”

“I wanted to hate him, but the way he looks at you is how I think I look at Jade.”

“It is.”

“What’s going to happen when he becomes king? You going to leave us to become queen?”

“That’s not possible. The Parliament here would never allow him to marry a commoner.”

“Fuck, Darce. Are you going to be okay?”

“No. I’m going to need lots of Ben & Jerry’s, and non-stop RPG time. It won’t be enough, but I might be able to at least function.”

“I’ll be there. We all will.”

“I know.”

I hug him tight, thankful that for once, I have people I can depend on. I realize I would do anything to keep my friends, and that maybe my secrets will cause me to lose them. It’s only a matter of time before the mentors confront me. I’m surprised they haven’t yet. Reina would’ve told them, wouldn’t she?





Chapter 12


Brayden

I’m barely in the locker room door before Noah is on me. “I thought you were done with Darcy.”

“I can’t imagine ever being done with her.”

“So you’re giving up the kingdom?”

“No.”

“Then what the f*ck are you doing with her?”

“I don’t know,” I say quietly.

“She doesn’t deserve to be your piece on the side.”

I slam him into the nearest locker. “Don’t ever talk about her like that. She would never be that to me.”

“They’re going to force you to marry. You know that.”

“I’ll hold them off as long as I can,” I tell him, running my hands through my hair.

“Why not cut her loose now, and save you both from heartache.”

“It’s too late to save us from heartache, and as selfish as it is, I’m going to take all of the time I can get with her.”

“This is going to end so badly. I’ll be here for you, though, because I believe you really do love her, and it’s going to destroy you when she’s gone.”

“I’m pretty sure you’re right.”

We don’t say anything else as we change into our uniforms. I actually have a decent chance of winning this game. Not by cheating, though. I’d never cheat at polo. If I can win, I think I’ll get my man card back, or at least have borrowing privileges for it.

When we walk outside, the first thing I see is Darcy in the middle of a hug with Nate Anderson. She said he’s her best friend, and I know he’s got his own girlfriend, but I can’t stop the jealousy that overtakes me. I hate seeing her with any other man.

“Simmer down, Bray. They’re just friends.”

“I know.”

“Yet you still look like you want to commit murder, and while I consider myself a good fighter, I don’t think I could win against him. I’ll still go for it if you want me to, but be prepared to visit me in the hospital.”

I smile at my best friend. “I’m good. You don’t have to fight for me.”

“Thank God.”

We walk over to them, and Darcy’s smile grows wide as she sees me. “I like this uniform thing.”

“More than my basketball shorts and t-shirts?”

“Yeah, no. But it’s better than your stuffy suits.”

“I thought you liked me in a suit,” I tell her, acting hurt.

“I like you in everything, but casual Brayden is my favorite.”

“I know. I’m just messing with you. You’ll have to suffer through me in my tux tonight, but after, I’ll go casual just for you.”

She leans up to whisper in my ear. “You’ll be going naked for me after the ball, but they don’t need to hear that.”

I laugh before kissing her hard. “Deal.”

“Enough of that. We have a match to win.”

“Good luck, Noah.”

“Thanks, Darcy.”

The match is hard fought. The other team isn’t giving us an inch, and in fact, I’m almost knocked off Striker more than once. We end the match with a win, but I’m covered in mud and more than a little bruised. I climb from my saddle, wincing a little, only to be surrounded by players and Parliament congratulating me on the win. I grin through the pain, like the royal I am, but it’s not easy. I actually think I may have broken a rib or two.

Striker’s reins are taken out of my hand, and I don’t realize at first that it’s Darcy who’s caring for my pony. She stroking his mane, and feeding him some sugar cubes while I deal with my duties. She stays there in the background until I’m finally able to turn to her. Then she steps into my arms, holding me close, but not too tight.