Wicked Dreams (Fallen Royals, #1)(32)

“Yeah, you talk a big game, Asher,” Theo replies.

“It’s because he doesn’t like to wear tights,” Eli cuts in. “And I, for one, totally agree. Cheers.” He leans over Theo and taps his beer bottle against mine.

Theo scowls at us. “You’re immature.”

“You’re the one wearing tights,” Eli mutters.

“We can take this outside.”

I grab Theo’s arm, and he falls back in his seat. “Something got you in a twist, Theo?”

“No.”

“Uh-huh.” Liam rolls his eyes. “You’re the worst liar.”

“That girl goes to Lion’s Head.” Theo’s eyes are practically black. “And she’s going to fucking show up at the game, and—”

“And nothing,” I say, patting his shoulder. “You’re worrying too much.”

Anger rolls off him. “If I see her, I’m going to fucking kill her.”

I grunt. “Okay, well, that’s not good. Anyone want to go find something better to do than hang around here?”

Liam hops up. “There’s that party tonight at Ian’s house.”

“Great. Come on.” I haul Theo up, pushing him ahead of me. He’s the silent but deadly type. Honestly? I’d feel sorry for the girl he wants to kill—if she steps foot in his way, that is.

Anger can be good from a distance. It’ll make him a better football player, and any skills he learns on that field we can use for lacrosse.

The doorbell rings as we’re piled in the kitchen, raiding Liam’s snack pantry.

Through a mouthful of food, Eli says, “I’ll get it.”

We all came together when we were fourteen. Eli and I knew each other from middle school, and Theo and Liam joined us from a neighboring private school. Actually, they transferred from Lion’s Head. I imagine that’s where Theo’s hatred started.

Anyway, all of us were angry in one way or another, and it was natural that we gravitated toward each other. We all made the lacrosse team, and even as freshmen, we were good. Good enough to start. By sophomore year, we were kings.

We walked through the halls worshipped by the other students. It helped that our families are made of money. Theo’s dad donated to the athletic department. Liam’s parents bought a fucking building. And me? Well, the school board knows to fear my last name.

They know what we’d do to them.

The sport made us not only untouchable—but loved. I’m not deaf. I’ve heard the whispers about the golden boys of Emery-Rose Elite. If people knew the truth behind our masks, they would shy away from us.

Eli comes back into the kitchen, followed by… Savannah.

I watch her, letting my mask slide back into place. It’s one thing to use her—it’s another thing entirely for her to come calling on me.

Her face is a mess of puffy eyelids and streaked mascara. Her chin is wobbling.

I don’t give a fuck.

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

She stiffens, then throws her arms around my waist. I raise my hands away from her body. I don’t want to touch her more than I have to—and why would I want to, if Margo isn’t here to witness it?

That’s not part of the plan.

I don’t like anyone’s hands on me. Except Margo.

“Amelie is coming back,” she sniffs. “Two months early!”

“And that’s a… bad thing?”

Best I can recall, she and Amelie have been good friends since day one. Margo used to be in their mix, too. The fact that Savannah openly turned on Margo has been nothing short of delicious to watch unfold. Poor girl carried a torch for Margo for about a year, until the bullies beat her down. Eleven-year-olds are ruthless.

It’s hard being the friend of a coke-whore’s daughter.

“No,” Savannah cries, using my shirt as a face-wipe. She nuzzles her head into my chest. “It’s great, it’s just, she’s coming back early, and—”

My lip curls.

And in their friend group, Amelie is in charge. The captain of the cheerleading squad. The queen bee. She’s been gone this semester, studying abroad. And in her absence, Savannah has stepped into her role almost too flawlessly.

I don’t think she needs me to remind her that there are consequences for every action.

“So you’re just upset that she’s going to knock you off the top of the pyramid?”

She pulls back, staring up at my face. She nods emphatically. “Yes, yes, that’s it. But I thought if… maybe you and I…”

I push her off of me. Enough is enough. “You came here to proposition me. To use me against your best friend?”

Devious little devil.

My friends have left the room.

“Well…”

I glower at her, and she cowers. I don’t usually let anyone but Margo and my friends see the demons under my skin, but I let them out for her. She needs to know to be afraid of me. “Bad idea, Sav.”

“We—”

I stalk forward. Satisfaction spreads through me when she takes a quick step backward, then another one. “We, what? We fucked once? You spread rumors about us dating, that I squashed inside of a week?” I sneer. “Tell me. How did that work out for you?”