Page 11 of Royally Rivalled

“I’m always in the know. Stick by me. I can help you figure it out.”

“Thanks.”

“You are way too clever and pretty to sit out here crying. Let’s get you a drink and warm you up, alright?”

Jeremy’s protective side showed.

“Sure, why not? It’s a party. I lost my friend. Some guy she’s interested in was here, and I don’t want to be a cockblock.”

“You’re a good friend,” Jeremy said.

I followed him back into the kitchen.

“A beer is fine,” I said.

He grabbed a beer from the fridge, pried the cap, and handed it to me.

“Cheers!” We toasted.

eight

PARKER

I wokewith my head a mess, looking at a ceiling. The peeling, yellowed paint indicated I wasn’t in my bedroom. I sat up and stared at an unmade bed with bright Barbie pink sheets. I was fully dressed.

What the fuck happened?

Paige must have heard my stirring and entered.

“You fell asleep on the couch. You got drunk. And then were sick in Bianca’s shoes. We put you on the bed here, but you wound up on the floor. She slept in my room.”

She sensed my panic.

“You need to get it together, Westfall,” Paige sighed.

How ironic!A girl who could barely use a washing machine lectured me ongetting it together. I picked myself up, thanked her for the hospitality, kissed any hope of ever sleeping with Bianca goodbye, and walked home. I began piecing the night together. It all started after the Latte Girl Incident Part Two. I drank to keep up with Bianca, who was impossible to beat. I could not hold my liquor that well and didn’t drink often because of how it made me feel.

“The prodigal son returns!” Niall declared as I arrived home.

“Yeah. And he needs to get his shit together,” I grumbled. “I have to go to a meeting in London later.”

“What for?”

“Gotta see our solicitor. Fucking nonsense. Who schedules a meeting for 3 PM like this?”

“Your solicitor,” Niall answered. “Makes mesoglad not to be the eldest child.”

“Well, bully for fucking you.” I groaned, massaging my temples.

“You really cannot—and should not—get so pissed again.”

“Fully aware. Dreadfully embarrassed, mate.”

“C’mon. I’ll make you a tea,” Niall said.

I sat at the kitchen table while my friend took pity on me.

“What set you off?”

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