Page 59 of A Royal Menace

Me:Thank you. Well, I kind of asked that guy, Emmett, I’ve been texting with what he thought about the situation…you know, from a man’s perspective. He ghosted me yesterday, then texted something this morning that sounded like he was ending our conversations. For good. And when I asked why it sounded like goodbye, he didn’t answer.

Twila:That is strange.

Joey:Maybe he felt like it was getting a bit too personal?

Me:I thought that at first, too, but he’s told me things. Painful things way more personal than asking about a guy refusing to give me his number.

Raven:Maybe he’s jealous.

I pause and think about that for a moment. Is it possible? Could Emmett have developed feelings beyond friendship, and my talking about another man upset him? I guess it is possible. Unlikely, but possible.

Me:Okay. Thanks for working through this with me, but I need to get to work if I’m going to talk to Royal about the whole phone number thing before class starts. Love you all.

Joey:Love you, Sis.

Twila:XOXO

Raven:Let me know if you change your mind about the fricassee. I have a sharp knife and a gas stove.

Raven:Also, I love you more than my patent leather Docs.

When I getto the teacher’s lounge, my heart is trying to pound out of my chest. This thing between Royal and me is really good, and I don’t want to mess it up. But I know if we don’t clear the air about the whole phone number thing, my mind will continue to spin out over it until I drive myself insane.

Looking around, I’m surprised. Royal isn’t in here. I must’ve beat him to work, for once. That makes me smile as I walk over to the coffee maker. Grabbing my mug from the shelf, I pour myself a cup.

“Hey, Callie.”

“Oh. Hey, Marissa,” I say as the kindergarten teacher sidles up next to me with a mischievous grin.

“How are things between you and Royal?”

“What? What do you mean?” I blurt, panic overriding my common sense.

She knows.

“Oh, come on, Callie. Your war with him is legendary. But lately, it seems like you two have buried the hatchet. He’s…different.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, relaxing now that I realize she isn’t suggesting anything romantic is going on between Royal and me.

“You weren’t here before it happened,” she says slowly, “but Royal changed after the accident. He just wasn’t the same person. But lately, he seems to be finding himself again.”

“Accident?” I ask, my heartrate spiking.

Marissa flinches. “Shit. Don’t tell him I told you. Only a few of us know, and we know not to talk about it.”

“I won’t. I promise,” I say, shaking my head.

“It was a couple of years ago. His fiancée was in a car accident, and she died on the scene. He didn’t even get to say goodbye,” she says in a low, sad voice.

My eyes blink rapidly as I stare at her in silence. Fiancée? A car accident?

No. It can’t be.

Emmett had a fiancée who died in a car accident. That’s who he was texting when he…

No.

“Callie? You okay?”

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