Page 63 of Wicked Prince

"Tell me about it," I scoff. "Let's just get out of here. I feel like the walls are closing in."

He gives me another sympathetic look that's become all too familiar lately. I know if things go like I'm afraid they will, that's going to become even more common.

Once we're back at his sporty sedan, the brief walk and the fresh air have cleared my head a little, but my stomach is still a nest of butterflies furiously beating their wings.

"How long before you'll know?"

"A day or so," I answer. That never seemed like such a vague or extensive timeline before.

Anthony pauses at his door to think about something. "Let's do something to take your mind off it, then. We could go to a club."

"As much as I appreciate the offer, I don't think I'm up for anything like that right now," I admit. "And you've missed enough classes because of me, anyway. I'm just gonna head back to the dorm and try to sleep until my phone rings."

"Please, I never pass on an excuse to ditch class," he says dryly, getting in to start up the car. "But I get it. Just try not to think too much about it, okay?"

That's easier said than done, but I nod, for Anthony's sake.

When I realize he didn't say anything about texting me while I was in there, I glance back at my phone and see Dad's number on the screen.

Great.

I open the message thread, and it's curt as usual.

Where are you? I've been trying to reach you since last night.

I check and confirm there are only two missed calls, but he's nothing if not hyperbolic and I don't have the energy to argue.

I'm in my dorm. I don't feel well, so I've just been sleeping.

It doesn't take long for him to message back.

What's wrong with you? I'll send the family doctor over.

I'm surprised he actually gives a shit. Then again, it's probably just because he wants me to do something or go somewhere. Either way, his offer sends a surge of panic down my spine.

Please don't do that. I'm fine. It’s just a cold.

I'm fully expecting him to argue and not sure what I'll do if he does. In hindsight, it was dumb to tell him I'm sick, even if it is technically the truth. When he finally replies, I breathe a sigh of relief.

All right, but if you're not better in a day or two, I'm sending him. Don't want you missing class for no good reason. Call me when you're feeling better. There’s something we need to discuss.

Well, isn't that ominous?

I swallow the bile rising in my throat and text back,I will, before closing the thread.

"Who was that?" Anthony asks, glancing over at me.

"Just my dad being extra, as usual," I answer, staring out the window. I push the thought of whatever it is he wants to talk about aside, because I literally don't have the bandwidth to deal with it right now.

One crisis at a time.

ChapterTwenty-Five

AMELIA

Iwas planning on staying in my dorm for the rest of the week, but I can't exactly skip a shift at the restaurant so soon after being hired. And as paranoid as it probably is, I feel like going off campus but not going to class is just asking for some little birdie to report back to my father.

If nothing else, going to class will probably keep my mind off things. As much as I would love to just hide away and avoid Kayleigh and Lorenzo forever, I know that's not realistic.

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