Page 48 of Cruel Abandon (Fallen Royals 5)

Winning is my addiction, too, and Sky just threw down the ultimate challenge.

I eye them. There’s been not-too-subtle rumors about Howl restarting. Rumors that coast just below the administration’s ears.

Still, there are police marching around. In the face of chaos, it’s generally not a good idea to add more.

“Aren’t you lying low?” I ask.

RJ scoffs. “Why? This is the perfect time. Everyone is distracted.”

Capitalizing on tragedy.

At least they’re straightforward about it.

“We’ve been on the rocks since Sophomore year,” RJ continues. “And why the fuck have we seen you fraternizing with the enemy? Did you forget she blasted your face to the whole planet, then left you to dry?”

I push my shoulders back. “It isn’t so simple.”

“It is,” Colt argues. “Listen, man. We’ve never mentioned it before because it was just water under the bridge, you know? She humiliated you—and through you, us. We had to shut down Howl for almost two years. This is the first year people haven’t come into Ashburn squawking about it. Our anonymity is back, baby!”

I groan. “Yours is, sure.”

“People will come to see you fight, asshole.” He elbows me. “So?”

A fight could settle my nerves… and get my dad off my back. He called me just this morning asking about when the parent PLUS loan he signed will kick in. I told him I had it covered. Payments were going to come from my account after the six-month deferment is up. I only have this year left to save as much money as possible.

“Next time,” I mutter to them. My mind is scattered. I’d be useless in a fight, all my attention on Sky and the asshole, Mitchel Norton.

“Fine,” RJ calls. “We’ll be in contact.”

Great.

I make it home without incident. Not that I was expecting any trouble—who would want to fuck with me?—but when I walk inside, Theo waits for me. He’s the only one I’ve trusted with a key… mainly in part because he owns the building. And I can’t count how many times I’ve come home to find him on my couch.

Now, though, he stands by the kitchen with a glass of dark liquor.

He has Sky’s sweater in his hand. The one she forgot this morning, wearing my hoodie instead. I wish she had kept it on all day, but when I saw her next, she had changed.

I don’t particularly want it back, either. Seeing her roaming around my kitchen wearing it was enough. I had to quickly step up to the breakfast bar to hide my erection.

Part of me had wanted to show her how much I appreciated her ass in those leggings, and the fact that she was walking around with my scent on her.

I’ve kept a lid on the possessiveness for years, but I’m almost at a boiling point. I meant what I said: Mitchel’s fate was in her hands… and now we know how she feels about that.

She doesn’t give a fuck.

Or she’s calling my bluff.

But… I can call hers, too.

Me: Is he keeping his hands to himself?

Sky: He has more self-control than you do.

Me: Maybe check out his nightstand before you go accusing him of that.

I watch the screen. The little typing bubble appears and disappears, which could mean she doesn’t know how to respond. Or she’s thinking of a good comeback.

Or she’s swallowed her nerves and is just going to do it. Give in to her curious nature.