Page 51 of The Prince of Broken Crowns

“That sucks,” she says. “Has it always been that way?”

I nod. “What about yours?”

“Yep. It makes me wonder if I’ve ever seen a healthy relationship in my life.”

“Agreed.” I hold up a finger. “Let me grab my wallet, and then we can pick up this conversation on our way to get some ice cream.”

I step into my room and grab my wallet, fully knowing I should be resting, but I feel like Lily and I could have friend potential, and it would be nice to have a friend here. Well, besides River and Finn, if that’s even what we are. Truthfully, I have no idea what Finn and River want from me.

That thought fills up too much of my thoughts as Lily and I wander toward the cafeteria. It’s midday, sunlight trickles through the many windows lining the hallway, and the air smells sweet, like freshly baked cake. A light chatter filters through the space as people head to and from class.

Fewer people are staring at me at this point, but a few glances are being cast my way.

“So”—an arm lands on my shoulders, and a step later, Finn squeezes between Lily and me, putting an arm on her shoulders, as well—“I heard a rumor about you.” He directs his attention to me.

His eyes are bloodshot, just like mine, and dark circles reside under them. His hair is perfectly done, though, and he’s sporting a nice pair of black pants and a dark blue shirt.

“I’m sure you’ve heard a lot of rumors about me,” I quip, noting how good he smells, and then I immediately mentally kick my ass for noticing that.

“Okay, I might have, but the one I’m talking about came from my lovely, overly grumpy brother, who told me that you were hungover because of the game we played last night.” He removes his arm from Lily but keeps the other around my shoulders. “And for that, I’m sorry. I guess I just assumed since you kicked ass at beer pong, you had a high drinking tolerance. I should’ve asked if you were okay with drinking that much.”

I give a dismissive wave of my hand. “I’m fine. You didn’t force me to do anything, dude. I chose to play. I just thought you guys were actually playing beer pong.”

A crease forms between his brows. “We weren’t?”

“No, you were playing whisky pong,” I point out. “That’s not the same thing. At all.”

“True.” He considers this as we continue to walk. “I guess I should’ve pointed that out before I roped you into play, huh?”

“You’re fine,” I stress. “I don’t know what River told you, but I don’t blame you.”

“You don’t?”

“No.”

A smile breaks across his face. “Aw, you’re the nicest bestie ever.”

I resist an eye roll at his cheesiness.

“Um, hello to you, too,” Lily finally says loudly. “Jeez, Finn, it’s like I’m not even here.”

He turns his head toward Lily while pulling me closer to his side. “Hello, wonderful sister. How are you today?”

“Shitty,” Lily replies, slowing to a stop in front of the doors that lead to the cafeteria. “Thanks to River and his lying. And I’d appreciate it if you’d pass along that message.” With that, she reels around and stomps into the cafeteria.

Finn glances back at me with a frown on his face. “What the hell was that about?”

I so do not want to get into this brother and sister drama. “I think you should ask River or Lily.”

“You don’t want to get in the middle?” he guesses with a hint of shock. “That’s … new.”

I crinkle my nose. “Why?”

He lifts a shoulder. “That’s just not how it works around here. People love sticking their noses where they don’t belong.” He tugs on a strand of my hair. “I think I might have picked the best best friend a guy could ask for.”

I give him a bored sort of look. “Dude, we both know I’m not your best friend.”

“Why would you say that?” He juts out his lip. “That’s so mean.”

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