My stomach sinks to my feet. Fuck, I could’ve done that. I’ve definitely had sex in the Carrington pool. I’ve had sex in a lot of pools with many girls and a few adult women. Did I knowingly screw them while they were dating someone else? No. I wouldn’t do that. But at a party when you’re drunk and horny, it’s not like I fished out a questionnaire and asked about their dating status. I assumed if they were ready to ride my dick, they were free to do so.

But explaining that to Hartley, a girl who I want to take me seriously, a girl who I have some strong feelings for, a girl who I want to like me? That’s an impossible task.

I run an agitated hand through my hair. “I partied some. I had sex with girls, but after I met you, I never touched anyone else. Hell, I didn’t even make the first move on you—” That’s shading the truth, I think. Shut up! “You kissed me.”

She nods slowly. “Yes, I guess I could’ve, but it seems like the question is, should I have?”

“Hart.”

She doesn’t respond. The blood’s pounding hard in my ears. There’s a thickness in the air—a swampy, soupy, heaviness that’s weighing everything down. I fight through it and step off the curb to position myself where she can’t avoid looking at me.

“Hart,” I say softly. “I did shit things the past. Not gonna lie, but I’m different now.”

When she finally raises her eyes to meet mine, they are full of pain. “They said you like girls you can’t have. Like your foster sister, Ella. And when you couldn’t have her, you turned your attention to me. That I’m going to be the most exciting forbidden fruit ever dangled in front of you because I hurt your brother and your family hates me. Are you telling me that it’s all untrue?”

It was that bitch. That bitch! I hope she fucking dies.

I could tell her the truth, but she’s in so much pain. Besides, once Seb wakes up—and he will—Sawyer’s not going to be mad anymore. Ella and me are so far in the past that I can barely remember why I kissed her that one time in the club, other than I was lonely and she was lonely and I enjoyed taking the piss out of my brother Reed who was watching the whole time.

The truth will only hurt Hartley more.

“I’m telling you that Felicity and Kyle aren’t saying these things to help you out.”

“I know that. I just want one person to be straight with me. Is that you?”

The reply sticks in my throat.

“Ask me no questions and I’ll tell you no lies, huh?” She exhales heavily, reading me all too well. “I guess since there’s no bus, you’re my ride home.” She tugs my jacket around her shoulders.

She’d rather walk ten miles than get into my truck, I think, but climbs into the cab anyway. Her choices have been narrowed down to bad and worse. I’m the bad option so I win by default.

She’s quiet on the drive, and since I’m afraid of answering any more of her questions, I keep my own mouth shut. When we arrive at her house, I opt not to walk her to the door. If her dad sees me, all hell will break loose and she doesn’t need that.

Halfway out the door, she turns. “Thanks for the ride.”

“Tomorrow, wait for me outside in the morning. I’ll walk in with you. Astor’s not the easiest place to navigate.” The students there love preying on the weak. And right now, Hartley’s as fragile as they come.

A sad smile crosses her lips. “Funny. That’s the same thing that Kyle said. I guess he didn’t lie about everything.”

And with that disturbing last word, she slams the door shut and runs into her house.

*

Dad calls me into the office the next morning. I lumber in, a bowl of hot oatmeal in my hand and a spoon poking out the side of my mouth. “What’s up?” I ask.

“I’m glad you’re up early.” He scrambles around his den, throwing papers into his flight bag.

I’m early because I never slept. Last night, I kept turning over the Hart, Kyle, Felicity scene in my head. I vaguely remember Kyle. Scratch that—I don’t remember him at all. Obviously, we go to school together, but I can’t think of a single instance where we exchanged so much as a hello. But he’s got a beef with me, and if I did screw his girlfriend, he clearly hasn’t gotten over it. Why else would he risk the Royal wrath by messing with a girl that belongs to one of us?

Not that Hart belongs to me.

Yes she does.

Fuck. Fine. Okay, I do see her as mine. And I don’t want Kyle Hudson and his nonexistent neck anywhere near her.

Felicity’s motives are equally easy to guess. She hates me, period. She’s out for revenge. And though I have zero interest in making amends with that bitch, I realize in dismay it might come down to that. I can’t have Frankenstein and No Neck screwing with Hartley’s head. She’s confused enough as it is.

My dad hurriedly shoves a file folder into his bag, interrupting my thoughts.

“You going somewhere?” I say in between bites.

“I have to go to Dubai today. Ben El-Baz contacted me about an order for ten of the new jets. I need to close this deal in person.”

“What about Seb?”

“He’s in stable condition. If he wakes up, I’ll be home before you know it. Now, I’m counting on you to take care of the rest of the kids while I’m gone. You’re the oldest and I don’t want Ella to worry about the twins. She has a meeting with the DA’s office over her testimony.”