Page 22 of My Best Friend Prince Charming

“Yeah, I remember. You know why I didn’t tell you right away?”

“Why?”

“Because I felt guilty. I didn’t want to upset you. I knew it meant that you’d have to go to UNC on your own.”

“Oh, Ryker. You shouldn’t feel guilty about that. You have your family and your own future to think about.”

“I just thought you should know. I wasn’t trying to hide things from you. I just didn’t know how to break the news to you in a way that wouldn’t hurt you.”

I smiled sadly. “I don’t think there was any way you could have accomplished that.”

Concern clouded Ryker’s eyes. “Are you saying you’re hurt by the fact that I accepted the role?”

I slammed my locker shut. “I don’t want to admit it, but yes. But only for the most selfish reasons. I was looking forward to hanging out with you at UNC.”

“I know. I was looking forward to it too. We had it all planned out. When we found out you got the scholarship too, it felt like everything had fallen into place. I wasn’t even going to consider going to the audition.”

“I remember. But life doesn’t always go as planned. Sometimes it has better things in mind for us,” I said. “I want you to know that I’m glad you got the part. You get to go off to beautiful California and the constant sunshine. Think about how often you’ll get to go to the beach and meet amazing people.”

“I just wish you could come with me,” Ryker said, surprising me.

My heart leaped into my throat. I could feel heat creeping across my cheeks. Why was I blushing? “You do?” I’d thought he was ready to move on from me to more glamorous friends like Gabi.

“Of course, I do. You’re my favorite person in the entire world.”

I noticed that he hadn’t called me his best friend as usual. Did that mean he viewed me as something more?

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