Page 79 of Heart of Thorns

I turn and glance behind me.

Ah.

The parents.

Before greeting them, I send Thorne a reassuring nod.I’ve got this.

He has no choice but to trust me. He rushes the field with the offensive line, and I pray he can throw a touchdown or at the very least, get another field goal to put us ahead before time runs out.

I brace myself for the vetting process I’m about to go through. I spin and fake a smile.

Mr. and Mrs. Thorne are standing alone. Not that I blame anyone for keeping their distance. When Thorne said they’d look out of place, he was right.

His mother, Helena, is wearing a long fur coat and heels that will no doubt sink in the field, and his father is sporting a suit that is freshly pressed and too expensive to be wearing to a college football game.

I approach them slowly. My guards are up.

“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Thorne! I’m Briar, Thorne’s girlfriend.”Fake girlfriend.

Helena acts surprised, but you can hardly tell due to the Botox. I’m certain she already knew who I was.

“Oh, hello!”

I wouldn’t do this on any other day, but I lean in and give her a hug because I know it’s something that a brainless rich girl would do. They’d probably cut off a limb to get close to their future mother-in-law.

She smells like Chanel and… money.

I swear.

After I back away, I glance at Andrew, who I choose to refer to as Mr. Thorne because it’s very obvious that he expects respect. “Mr. Thorne,” I say, placing my hand out. “It’s so nice to meet you both.”

“Likewise.” His grip is firm, which is no surprise.

The crowd roars, and I pull my hand away to clap. Thorne threw a thirty-yard pass, and they’re in field goal range.

“Let’s see if he can manage not to screw this up,” his father grumbles.

I feel Helena’s eyes on me, probably adding up how much each article of clothing costs. Never mind the fact that their money bought them.

“He won’t,” I say. “Not with you here.”

He scoffs. “I highly doubt my son cares if I’m here or not.”

“Not true,” I lie. “He’s happy you’re here to watch.”

“Oh,please.” Helena laughs lightly and grabs my arm. “I think he’s just excited to show you off. When he told us he had a girlfriend, we didn’t expect… you.”

I fake a giggle, even though I feel a bit like throwing up. “I hope that means I’ve exceeded your expectations.”

Mr. Thorne glances at me out of the corner of his eye. He turns away to watch the game. He’s too hard to read. Helena, though, she has a twinkle in her eye.

“The babies you two would have!” she rejoices. “You’re much prettier than any girl he’s ever introduced us to.”

Never mind the first part of her sentence. I’m too focused on the irrational jealousy I’m swimming in thinking about Thorne introducing another girl to his parents.

“Don’t embarrass me, Cassius!”

Both Helena and I twist to Thorne’s dad and his completely discouraging shout from the sideline.

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