Page 10 of Tell Me You Like It

This is a new beginning, Lux. Put the past aside, and be brave.

I thread my arm through Bree's. If I’m brave, it’s because she’s here with me. No matter the situation, she’s always on my side, always encouraging me. She’s the one person in my life—besides my grandmother—whotrulyloves me.

I glance back up at the platform, shifting my gaze to the two guys to Roman’s right. They have similar features, so they must be brothers—blond, classically handsome, one with wavy hair, and one with straight hair that falls perfectly over his temples.

Then there’s the guy to Roman’s left—incredibly tall, with dark hair and an expression that looks like a permanent scowl, and if the breadth of his shoulders is any indication, then he must be built like a brick house under that robe.

One thing they have in common, though—they all looklike trust fund kids. Like they all have kidnap insurance and throw beer cans off their yachts.

“So, who are these guys?” I ask Wyn.

“Roman Rush, Jackson McKnight, and those two are fraternal twins—Christian and Lucas West. They rule the Burning Crown.”

I nod, shocked that Wyn is being so forthcoming. Maybe she figures our presence here is approval enough to let us in on the basics. Whatever her reason, I’m just happy someone is explaining things.

My eyes shift back to the guys, and I study them. “They look douchey.” Sexy, undoubtedly toned under those robes, with faces like that? Yeah, no thanks. Guys like that arealwaysmore trouble than they’re worth. Universally.

“You’re not wrong,” Wyn laughs. “but they’re also worshiped around here. Their families practically own the school. Their last names are on every building on campus.”

It’s meant to make them sound impressive, but somehow it just makes them evenmoredouchey. College guys being worshiped? Ugh.

Wyn continues, “Roman is the oldest, so he’ll choose first.”

And almost like Wyn had summoned him, Roman steps forward. I watch with curiosity as he recites something—in Latin maybe—looking down into the sea of girls. There’s a buzz of excitement, like they’re all waiting with their breaths held, hoping to be chosen as prom queen.

Wow.

But as I look around, I realize how important this ceremony is to everyone here, and I feel bad for judging this whole thing so harshly. This ceremony is a crazy concept to me, but hey, it takes all kinds, right?

With a less critical eye, I study the faces of the girlssurrounding me. We all have our weird things, right? And everyone wants to be the chosen one, singled out amid an ocean of beautiful faces. Plucked from the shadows.

Well, everyone, except me.

I’ve been there, done that, and have the emotional scars to prove it.

I’m perfectly content in the shadows.

But I shouldn’t color everything with my own experiences.

I’m contemplating that when everything suddenly goes still, and the room falls back into silence. A hundred pairs of eyes slowly turn inmydirection. I just blink back at them, confused. What’s happening? It isn’t until Bree nudges me that I realize why they’re all staring. Roman is still standing on the platform, his pale blue eyes locked on one target.

Me.

CHAPTER FOUR

Lux

Uh,shit.

Roman’s face is unreadable, but he does look like he’s going to launch himself at me any moment. I half-wonder if he plans on extricating me from this ceremony, by force, if necessary.

I take a step back and scan the room for the nearest exit. It’s about thirty feet to my left, on the other side of about fifty people—all women, all looking at me right now. Everyone is watching as Roman steps off the platform and walks toward me.

My heartbeat kicks up about twenty notches, and my knees suddenly feel weak. I hate being the center of attention. My entire life is designed to keep me in the shadows, which is the way I like it. Everyone staring at me right now—yeah, I’m going to have nightmares about it. For sure.

Roman steps up to me, stopping about an arm's length away. His lazy gaze travels over my hips, to my very amplecleavage, before crawling up and landing on my face. I feel the blood rush to my cheeks, the heat scorching my skin.

He lifts his chin. “You.”

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