Page 89 of The Prince of Broken Crowns

“I’m not trying to be.”

“Oh, I know.”

I toss her a dirty look, but she grins and walks out of my room, shutting the door behind her. I hurriedly change into the dress, tights, and shoes. Then I slip on my jacket, style my hair, and double-check my makeup. As I look in the mirror, though, I find myself shaking my head. Why am I obsessing about my looks so much? It’s not like me. Plus, this isn’t a date.

I roughly run my fingers through my hair, messing it up like that somehow makes everything okay. I give my reflection a disappointed look, knowing I probably look like a mad woman. Then I return to my bed to collect my phone and check the time. It’s close to six, and it’s probably a good thing since I’m starving, my stomach letting out a growl right as my phone buzzes. The combination of the two noises scares the living crap out of me, and I end up dropping the phone. It’s not a carpeted floor, so I panic.

“Please, please, don’t crack the screen worse than it already is,” I mumble as I bend down to pick it up. I breathe in relief when it doesn’t appear to have any new cracks in it. But my relief is short-lived when I see the message is from an unknown sender.

Unknown: Little Maddison thinks she can hide from me. You can try, but eventually, I’ll find you. And how does it feel that your own mother is helping me? When you talk to her again, you can tell her thanks for giving me your number.

I suck in a gradual breath through my nose. I know it shouldn’t hurt—I’m used to her betrayal—but for some stupid reason, it does.

I’m also worried. If Drew can get my number, what else can he track down on me?

River

I’m wandering around mine and Finn’s dorm, searching for my wallet. The place is a mess, mainly because Finn is a slob. We’ve always had a housekeeper until we came here, and I think he’s struggling with the concept of that, though he keeps insisting he’ll clean up.

He’s currently sitting at the table, eating a bagel and drinking a protein shake. He has his feet kicked up on the table, and he’s wearing shorts and a T-shirt that stinks because he hasn’t cleaned up since he got back from practice.

“You smell,” I inform him as I rummage through a stack of papers and other crap piled on an end table.

“So? You’re the only one here, and I’m not trying to impress you.” He stuffs the bagel into his mouth, a trail of crumbs falling on his shirt. “What’re you even looking for?”

“My wallet and keys.” I pat the pockets of my pants, even though I’ve done that like a million times. “Have you seen them?”

He shakes his head. “Nope. Sorry.”

I internally grimace. “When are you going to clean up?”

“When are you going to clean up?” he quips, lowering his feet to the floor.

“I clean up after myself.” I swing my arm toward the sofa where the athletic bag, three pairs of socks, and a shirt are tossed about. “You’re the one who keeps leaving your shit everywhere.” I wander over to the kitchen to check the counter area.

His gaze tracks me. “You’re nervous about something.”

I open a drawer. “No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are,” he insists while resting his arms on the back of the hair. “We’re twins, bro, so I know these things.”

“Well, your twin telepathy isn’t working because I’m not nervous.” I am, and I don’t even know why.

Okay, that’s not true, but the reason makes me feel like a dumbass.

Maddy and I have hung out a ton of times, and tonight isn’t any different. Sure, we’re not training, like we usually are, but we’re just hanging out as friends. And yet, my heart rate is up a bit.

“It’s not broken.” He assessed me. “Where are you going?”

“Out.” I’m vague on purpose.

“Out where?” he asks as I shut the drawer.

“Nowhere if I can’t find my wallet and keys.” I leave the kitchen and head to my bedroom, my anxiety increasing. If I don’t calm the hell down, I’ll reach a point where my brain will be a mess, and then I’ll never find my keys.

Finn trails after me with his protein smoothie in hand. “Out where?”

“Just somewhere.” I stand in the middle of my room, taking a few breaths to try to calm down.

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