Sawyer understandably looks weary. “What happened?”

There’s no point in lying. “Jace Covington dragged me in here, seduced me, tied me up, ripped my blouse, and left me to suffer.”

Her eyeballs nearly pop out of her sockets. “What the actual fuck? That’s like a bad straight to Netflix movie.”

“Tell me about it.”

She unzips her bag and hands me a spare shirt.

“Thanks. I’ll pay you back.”

She gives her head a shake. “I don’t want your money. But I will take your phone number. This way your goon here won’t have to barge into the ladies’ room while I’m in the middle of peeing next time something happens.”

I leer at my goon as I put on the new shirt. “Seriously, Oakley?”

His shoulders rise in a shrug. “You told me what you needed, and I delivered. Don’t criticize my methods.”

Sawyer gives me her phone and I plug in my number. “I owe you one…again.”

She worries her lip between her teeth. “If you’re serious, I know a way you can make it up to me.”

“Sure. But I already kicked Oakley’s ass once today and I’m not sure he’ll survive a second attack so soon.”

She laughs. “No. Although I wouldn’t mind seeing you hulk out on him again.” She fidgets with her hands. “Uh. There’s a party at Christian’s house this Saturday. I’ve never been to one and I was hoping you’d go with me.” She straightens her spine. “I’m considering it a social experiment of sorts. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious to see how those at the top of the food chain get down.”

Oakley snorts. “Not to be a dick, but social experiment or not, I don’t think either of you goodie-two-shoes can handle one of Christian’s parties.”

The defiant look in Sawyer’s eye tells me that’s the real reason she wants to go.

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to. “I can’t. I work six a.m. until close.”

Her shoulders slump. “Oh. Well, it’s no big deal. Maybe next time.”

I hate the disappointment on her face. “On second thought, if you’d be willing to wait until after my shift, I can make it work.”

Those big brown eyes practically sparkle. “Sure. What time do you get off? I figured we’d leave around seven, but—”

“No one even shows up until after ten,” Oakley chimes in. “Why don’t you two just meet me when you get there so you don’t embarrass yourselves.”

Sawyer raises an eyebrow. “Really? Are you sure the prince of Royal Hearts Academy will allow one of his noble subjects to hang out with two insignificant paupers like us?”

She’s officially my new favorite person.

“Oakley’s decided to go rogue and be a decent human,” I answer for him. “And I get off at eight, so you should totally come to my house early and get ready with me.”

With any luck, I’ll be able to convince her to toss the navy headband she’s been wearing since we met in the trash and try a little lip gloss.

“Okay, cool. Sounds like a pla—”

“Sorry to interrupt this little ya-ya sisterhood shit,” Oakley grunts. “But Dylan and I have a pressing situation we need to deal with.”

Shit. He’s right.

All three of us exit the closet.

“I’ll text you in a bit,” Sawyer whispers before we go our separate ways.

The hallways are empty as we make our way to the principal’s office, and after catching our reflections in a display case, I’m grateful.

Oakley looks like he lost several rounds with Mike Tyson, and I look like I woke up in a seedy alley after spending the nightclubbing.

We make quite the pair.

Principal Ryan is downright seething. “What do you mean you plead the fifth?” He thrusts a finger at Oakley. “You have a black eye, a bruised nose, and a bloody lip.” He points to me. “And you...” He falters. “Let’s just say you’re not exactly following the dress code, young lady.” His beady eyes shift between us. “Several students have come forward to report that an altercation happened between you two before homeroom this morning.”

Oakley shrugs. “Define altercation.”

I follow suit. “Define several.”

My aunt throws her hands up. “I’m sorry, but this is ridiculous. There’s no way my niece is capable of causing so much damage to a boy my stepson’s size. Not to mention, why in the world would she beat up her own cousin?” She casts a look of sympathy our way. “I think they’re not coming forward with the truth because someone is threatening them, and you need to figure out who.”

My uncle Wayne sighs. “Settle down, Crys. I told you to let me do the talking.”

I can see where Oakley gets it from.

He fiddles with his watch. “Calling us down here was a waste of time. You can’t charge either of them without firm evidence. All you have is hearsay.”

Principal Ryan looks so frustrated I bet he’s considering taking up drinking full-time. “We are not in a courtroom, Mr. Zelenka. I don’t need evidence to suspend or expel a student.”

I say a silent prayer to the good Lord up above. Please, expel me.

He huffs out a breath. “Multiple students reported the fight between them started because of a rumor about…” He flounders like a fish. “Their close relationship.”

This is awkward.

Wayne looks bored. “Really? That’s all?”

Principal Ryan’s flabbergasted. “What do you mean, that’s all? We have a zero-tolerance policy at Royal Hearts Academy when it comes to violence…amongst other things. We pride ourselves on class and dignity.” His face turns red. “Regardless of what goes on in your household, this school will not condone any immoral activities.”

It takes so much self-control not to laugh, I shake a little. Not only are we not having sex, we’re not even blood-related.

Wayne pokes the desk with his finger. “You know, for someone who claims to pride themselves on class and dignity, it’s abhorrent that you would suggest my son and his cousin are involved in some kind of sexual relationship. I should have your perverted ass arrested for slander.”

“Mic drop.” Oakley spanks the air. “D.A. Zelenka is in the motherfucking house.”

I swear my uncle beams.

“Language, Oak,” my aunt hisses before she gives Principal Ryan a tight smile. “My husband has a valid point. There’s no way in the world these two are involved.” Concern flickers in her gaze when she looks at us. “Right?”

“Right,” I assure her.

Oakley nudges me. “Stick to the script.” He places a finger over his lips and mouths, ‘Silence.’

Crystal stands up. “These are good kids, Jim. It’s obvious whatever you heard was nothing more than a rumor, and there’s no need to drag them through the mud.” She gestures to Oakley. “Instead of wasting everyone’s time blaming my niece—who by the way is a straight-A honor student—you should be looking for the real jerk who beat up my stepson.”

Principal Ryan looks sheepish. “You have a point, Crystal.” He blushes. “As always, you’re as intelligent and level-headed as you are beautiful.”