Page 79 of Prince of the Palisades

The second we’re alone, Karan says, “I’m not doing this for you. Opening night is sold out. Word got around that His Majesty is performing in our little play.”

“Actually, His Majesty is my pa—”

“My parents have front row seats,” he continues as if I’m not even here. “This is my chance. I’m not letting you ruin it.”

My face scrunches. “I don’t plan on ruining anything.”

Karan’s jaw works like he wants to say something. I do too. About the party. What happened with Léon. The kiss Istill haven’t mentioned to Reiss, the one he hasn’t brought up either.

In his best Dr. Garza Villa voice, Karan says, “Scene one. Page twelve. Action!”

We rehearse for an hour. I nail the words, but not the delivery. Every time, Karan makes me start over. It’s frustrating. I want to storm out, give up, but when I finally stop thinking about the lines, stop trying to cage my annoyance, he pauses with the slightest impressed curl to his lips.

“It’s about time the real Jadon showed up.”

I exhale, relieved.Elated.

Until a voice echoes from the back of the auditorium: “There you are!”

It’s Léon, once again showing up in my life uninvited.

He climbs onstage. “You haven’t answered my calls. What are you doing at this primitive school that’s so important?”

“We were rehearsing,” I grit out.

“Rehearsing,” he repeats, offended. His narrowed eyes fall on Karan. “It’s you, again.”

Karan’s small wave transitions into a middle-fingered greeting. “Thought we had a zero-tolerance policy for trash here.”

“They let you in,” Léon bites back.

I step between them. “Léon, why are you here? I told you at the party—”

“Before or after you two kissed?” Karan puts in.

“Jealous?” Léon scoffs. “Is this the little American boytoy you’ve been fu—”

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence,” I warn him, standingtaller. “I’m the prince of Réverie. I will not tolerate you disrespecting anyone I care about. Understood?”

“What aboutour people? Do you still care about them? About being the prince they need?” He flails an arm around. “Or is everything about this nonsense?”

“I’m doing both,” I say.

A beat. The irritation buried in his sloped eyebrows gives way to softness. All his sharp edges go tender as Léon grabs my hand. “Then, let’s go. We were supposed to have dinner. Let’s show Réverie how great we are together—”

“Jadon?”

For a second, I can’t move. My blood goes ice-cold, while my skin is feverish. When my head finally turns, my eyes catching a splash of pink hair, I snatch my hand from Léon’s.

Center stage, Reiss’s eyes roam my face. Then, he stares at Léon.

“Oh.” Léon sniffs. “This is the replacement.”

Karan growls, “You really don’t know when to shut the fu—”

“What’s he doing here?” Reiss asks me.

My mouth opens, but nothing comes out. I can’t get past how stiff Reiss is. That flash across his eyes like he doesn’t really want an answer—because he knows I’m going to lie.

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