Wicked Dreams (Fallen Royals, #1)(39)

He snorts. “Who said anything about nice? Liam isn’t the only one who enjoys getting on Caleb’s nerves.”

I haven’t heard him say more than one sentence to me, and now we’re having a full-blown conversation. About… Caleb. The one person I’d rather not talk about.

“Just admit that the idea of him and Amelie is driving you nuts,” he says softly. “And let’s do something about it.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Are you into her?”

“Me?”

“Yeah, you look kind of how I feel.” There’s something in his eyes, and I want to know him more. Is he as monstrous to someone as Caleb is to me? As Eli is to Riley?

“Amelie isn’t who I hate,” he answers. “But…”

I find myself leaning in.

“We’re not here to discuss her.” The wall he usually hides behind is back.

I can sense that he’s going to renege on his offer, so I quickly wrap my fingers around his biceps. “If this goes badly—it’s over.”

He winks. “Whatever you say, sweetheart.”

This is not going to end well.

He glances at his watch as we walk across the football field. “Not necessarily the best timing,” he says. “But good enough for me.”

The doors are already open from the courtyard, and the hall packed. The silence comes in waves. First the people closest to us, and then the screeching halt of the rest of the school rolls down like dominoes.

“Pretend you like me,” he says through his teeth.

I swallow my apprehension and inch closer, smiling up at him. “You look like you swallowed a box of staples,” I mumble.

He laughs. It echoes down the hall.

And somehow, he manages to ignore everyone else around us. He leads us to homeroom, where Caleb and Amelie are perched in the corner.

Liam’s eyebrows skyrocket.

Eli is… unimpressed.

Dead quiet.

“You know,” Theo whispers, tipping his head toward mine, “you’re really putting a wrench in the middle of my friend group.”

“Did I walk into a trap?” I glance up at him. He’s quite a bit taller than Caleb. “Is your plan to say, ‘Ha, ha, I tricked Margo?’”

He smiles. “Not at all.”

And then Caleb is on us, shoving Theo away from me. The force of it must surprise Theo, because he staggers backward. I get the impression that Theo isn’t one easily moved.

Theo’s face transforms into a mask of anger, and he lunges forward. I don’t even think he’s that mad at Caleb—they just want an excuse to hit each other.

Someone pulls me out of the way.

I glance back, surprised at the firm grip that tows me out the door. Amelie.

Her lips are pressed into a thin line, and she doesn’t relent until we’re down the hall and around the corner.

“What was that for?” I snap.

“What are you doing?” She tosses her hair behind her shoulder, glaring daggers at me.

“Me? I walk into a room and your boyfriend goes nuts.” This is what you wanted, I remind myself. “Maybe you should’ve dragged him out here to ask him why he’s so bothered—”

“Oh, drop the act, Margo.” She looks away. “We all know that he only sees you.”

Her mean-girl bravado falls away, piece by piece.

“I don’t want him to.” I’m lying. It’s why I agreed to walk in on Theo’s arm in the first place. I knew it would bring trouble. Theo knew it, too.

If I’m throwing a wrench in his friend group, it isn’t without help.

Amelie just shakes her head. “It’s sad, you know?”

I tilt my head.

“That he would pick you over… Well, over everyone. You’re not worth it, Margo.”

I flinch.

She continues, “He didn’t fight for you. Remember that when he’s inside you.”

We both turn toward a commotion at the end of the hall, and she misses my quick step away. It’s not safe standing next to a viper—never has been, never will be. Anger and self-loathing mix in my stomach. I either believe her or I trust my gut.

But what happens if they’re telling me the same thing?

Caleb strides toward me, ignoring the teacher who’s following him. I expect him to go for Amelie. After all, they’re dating. Maybe he’ll shove her up against the lockers and kiss her right in front of me, just to drive the knife in deeper.

He touched me. He’s done wicked things to my body. To my mind.

And yet, he’s not mine.

He didn’t fight for you. Remember that.

I watch Amelie as he gets closer. She doesn’t look afraid… just resigned.

And then he puts his arm around my waist and pulls me along with him. I squeak, suddenly moving, but he just snarls under his breath.

I cast a glance behind me. Amelie leans on the lockers, her head tipped back.

Then it’s too late. We’re out the side door, heading too fast toward the cars. He unlocks his and yanks the door open, shoving me inside. I start to scramble out—this is kidnapping—but he blocks my way and leans in.

Ooh, he’s furious.

“Stay.”

I roll my eyes but fold myself back in the car. He slams the door and circles it as another teacher comes out, the principal behind her.