Page 40 of The Prince of Broken Crowns

We have to push past people and squeeze up against walls, but eventually, we break through the mob and to a less crowded side of the room where a game of beer pong is going on.

And on one side of the table, a blond-haired, football god, I guess friend of mine, is holding a ball and talking shit with a guy on the other side.

“Now, this”—I point at the table—“is the only thing I’ve seen throughout the last couple of days that is familiar to me.”

She glances at me from over her shoulder. “Do you know how to play?”

I give a wicked laugh. “Dude, I’m from northside. It’s like a requirement to know how to play. In fact, they won’t even let you graduate high school unless you play a beer pong competition.”

She snorts a laugh. “You’re funny.” Then she almost instantly gets distracted. “Wait, where the hell did Lily go?”

I stand on my tiptoes and peer around, looking for a halo of blonde hair. “Oh, found her.” I point to the corner of the room where Lily is standing with her hand pressed against the chest of a guy with dark, chin-length hair.

Wren tracks where I’m pointing then frowns. “Oh, hell no, she did not just go after freaking James. I thought she learned her lesson the last time.” She marches forward, shoving people out of the way.

One of the girls she pushes stumbles and spills her drink all over her dress. She glares at Wren then at me, as if I was somehow part of it.

“What’s your problem, bitch?” she snaps as she wipes off her dress with her hand.

I open my mouth to say something that will probably result in a fight, but my words are cut off as Finn spots me and shouts out, “Hey, it’s my bestie.”

Great. Now everyone is staring at me like I’m a unicorn that has a horn growing out of my ass.

Finn makes his way over to me, his blue eyes shining with proof that he’s either drunk or a bit high. When he reaches me, he drapes an arm around my shoulders and smiles down at me. “You made it,” he says, all drunkenly smiley. He smells like mint with a splash of cologne and a hint of whiskey. His gaze scrolls over me. “You look so pretty.”

How is this guy for reals?

I angle my head toward him and put my hand on my hip. “Seriously?”

“Yes, seriously,” he replies in all seriousness. When I give him an unimpressed stare, he bats his eyelashes at me. “What? I’m just stating a fact.”

I could ream into him for the remark, but I decide to play nice for the night. “Thanks, I guess.”

His lips part in mocking shock. “Did I just get a thank you from Maddison Averly?”

“Don’t get used to it,” I inform him. “I’ve decided to play princess for the night, but I’ll turn into a rotting pumpkin at midnight.”

He lowers his voice and leans closer to me. “Fair warning: princesses here aren’t nice.” With that, he slants back and returns to his glittering cheerful self. “Wanna play?” He nods at the beer pong table then waggles his brows at me.

I glance at the table where the guys he was playing with earlier are staring at us, just like everyone else. Some of them are smirking, some are glaring, and some are looking at me like I’m trash.

I should decline Finn’s offer and attempt to stay out of the spotlight, but I like the idea of handing these amateur beer-pong players their asses. Because yes, as cliché as this is going to sound, beer pong is the number one game on northside.

“Sure.” I have to bite back a smile when his lips part in surprise, but he hastily collects himself and steers me toward the table.

“Hey, everyone,” he introduces me. “This is Maddy.”

A few people mumble, “Hey, Maddy.” Others choose the silent option.

Whatever. I’m good. I’m used to it at this point.

I give a wave then slip out from underneath Finn’s arm and stand in front of the table.

“Do you know how to play?” he asks me as he picks up the ball.

I nod. “Sure. I’ve played a few times.” I stick out my hand, and he drops the ball into my palm.

Smiling to myself, I turn and bounce the ball against the table. When it lands in a cup, everyone looks shocked as hell.

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