Page 103 of Damaged Prince
Everything is going well in my life. My grades are up, and baseball is going steady. Some wins, some losses. It’s to be expected, but nothing to have me worried.
Things between me, Laney, and Kai are amazing. I’ve never felt so blessed, so in love with anyone. They’re the missing pieces of my soul. The ones who are healing that damaged little boy inside.
For the longest time, I never thought I’d be happy. Never thought I’d find anyone who would love me, or who I’d actually be able to love back.
Now I do. Two. Two amazing people I’m so damn blessed to call mine.
Unfortunately, while my life is going good, I hate seeing the people I love hurt.
Logan has been uneasy since finding out Stacy was never in jail. I find the whole thing bullshit. How could they just let her off with pretty much a slap on the wrist? Benny could have died.If Laney hadn’t gone up into that room, how long would it have been before someone found him?
The thought makes me sick and angry.
My dad has been working with his lawyers to make things right and get her behind bars where she belongs, but the judicial system isn’t always speedy, even when you have money.
It’s not just Logan I’m worried about, Owen has been going through some shit, too. I’m stuck between being pissed at him for what he’s been doing to Laney and concerned because he’s clearly struggling, but he won’t talk to anyone.
We’ve tried, and it always leads to a fight where he swears he’s fine. And when we throw it in his face about how he’s been treating Laney, that's when he shuts down and takes off.
Clearly, he’s not okay.
Even Dad can’t get through to him. It hurts to sit by and watch him struggle, knowing you can’t do anything to help.
He was kicked off the hockey team because of his broken hand and missed the last two months because by the time his hand would be healed, hockey would be done for the season.
I could tell it killed him. It was his final year playing, and he didn’t get to enjoy the last of his season.
I’ve been struggling between handling my own life and trying to help him with his. I know he won’t take it, but I still can’t help but keep trying. He’s my brother. I’d never give up on him.
Shaking myself out of my melancholy thoughts, I bring myself back to the present.
Deciding I’ve done enough work on the place for the day, I do a bit of cleaning before locking up.
I head towards my car that’s parked out front when I notice movement in the building across the street.
Huh. That's strange. Just yesterday, there was a for sale sign up, and now there’s a moving van in front of it, and what looks to be boxes I can see through the big window.
Sadly, that space wasn’t big enough for a dance studio; it’s the main reason why I didn’t buy it when I thought this place was no longer an option. I wonder who bought it and what it’s going to be turned into.
With my curiosity burning stronger, I open my car door, toss my bags into the back, and close it before heading across the street to check it out.
We’re going to be neighbors after all, so it might be nice to make some new friends. Both being new people on the block could be something we bond over.
I find the door propped open with a box, but when I peek my head inside, I don’t see anyone.
“Hello?” I call out, taking a step in as I look around, making sure I don’t go in too far, not wanting to intrude. “Anyone here?”
I notice a few things have been set up. A stand with clothes on it. Not just any clothes, it looks to be dance apparel.
A spark of excitement flickers inside. If this is a dance apparel shop, that would be perfect.
We already have one in town, but to have one across the street from my studio could be beneficial to the both of us.
“Hello?” A deeper, older voice sounds from behind me, making me jump.
“Oh.” I gasp, spinning around with a nervous smile on my face. “I’m so sorry, I—”
Complete and utter horror slams into me as I stare at the man in front of me.
