Vain (The Seven Deadly, #1)(13)

His expression didn’t change and I realized how deep that resentment toward his father really went.

“Don’t go to Brown then,” I simply told him.

“I can’t do that,” he said, exhaling sharply and staring out the glass into the street.

“Why not?”

His face softened. “I need his money.”

Spencer looked at me and I couldn’t help but stare back. We were all in the same boat, prisoners to greed. Suddenly, my stomach dropped out from under me.

“I don’t want to be like them,” I candidly admitted as much to myself as to him.

Spencer leaned over and took my hand in his, squeezing my fingers in earnest.

“Neither do I.”

“How do we break the cycle?”

He sighed heavily and sank into the plush booth, releasing my hand. “I don’t think we can, Soph. It’s done.”

“Don’t say that,” I desperately argued. “Don’t say that,” I repeated as if that could change it.

“Why not?” he asked me, furrowing his brows in frustration. “We’re dependent on them, utterly. I could no more live in a studio with barely enough cash to feed myself any more than you could.” A single tear fell from my face at the truth of that declaration and Spencer wiped it gingerly away. “We’re stuck, Price.”

“I can’t believe that.”

“Well, try. Look at us, Soph. We party harshly at the Holes on the weekends. I think we’ve all had sex with one another at least once, apart from you and I. And I’d still do you if you’d just admit that you like me as much as I like you.” I cringed into myself a little. When I didn’t respond, he continued, turning to study the nightlife outside our window again.

“The only difference between us and our parents is that we’re younger, we do coke while they drink, but we’ll graduate or simmer to that, depending on how you look at it, as they did. We’re not married but soon we will be and to each other, but it won’t matter because we’ll trade partners like we do now. We’re addicted to the lifestyle. I can’t see a way out of that.” He leaned over me. “And need I remind you, that you rule us all?”

“That won’t be necessary, Spence, but thank you. I’m well aware my standing in our group.”

Unexpectedly, I wanted as far away from Spencer and my life as quickly as possible, but how could I remove myself from the toxicity when I was the main component in the vile concoction that was our lives?

On our way back to the W, I took the opportunity to ring Pembrook.

“Pemmy, it’s Sophie.”

“Sophie, you’ll need to be at the courthouse at seven in the morning tomorrow. Do not arrive late. Court is at eight and dress appropriately. I don’t think it’s necessary to remind you to keep a lid on your illegal activities this evening. Do try and be sober.”

And with that, he hung up.

My hands began to shake from their normally composed cool and I brought them to my mouth.

“What’s wrong?” Spencer asked.

“I have court in the morning.”

“How is that possible? It was only Friday you were arrested.”

I stared out the window at the cars around us. “My father did this.”

“Why would he bother?”

I thought back to the image of a floating jacket in our fountain. “Because I ruined something for him and this is my punishment.”

“Bastard.” He glanced at me. “You don’t have to go home, you know. I can drop you off tomorrow.”

“That’s really sweet, but I have nothing appropriate for court tomorrow.”

He gave me a sardonic expression and extended his hand toward the row of shops lining the street we were traveling.

“Buy something.”

“Fine, turn left here. I’ll just charge the long posy dress I saw in Temperley’s window last week.”

“I didn’t interpret anything you’ve just said besides turn left here, thank God.”

I could only playfully roll my eyes at him.

He dropped me off and found parking in the rear while I waited for him at the door. I needed his presence to keep me calm. If I were being honest with myself, I would have admitted that I was terrified at what was going to happen the next morning. If your father pulls political strings to get your criminal court date moved to the front of an already astronomically busy queue, I can’t imagine what he could stand to gain from that. Except revenge. Which meant he had no intention of making my life easier. I could feel Luques beginning to surface when Spencer opened the door to Temperley’s for me. I took deep breaths to calm my nerves. I was sincerely nervous for probably the very first time of my life.

“Which one?” he asked, this savior in do-me clothing.

“The soft pink one hanging in the window.”

He left me to browse while he took care of my purchase for me. I knew this little act just confirmed everything he’d accused in our dinner conversation, but I still strove to hold on to the slightest thread of hope that I would never turn out so pathetically acquiescing as my mother or as cold-hearted as my father. But isn’t that who you already are, Soph? You certainly cast your friends aside easily to screw their boyfriends, don’t you? I shook my head. Build the wall, I ordered myself and just as easily, my facial expression eased and my thoughts turned an entirely different direction.