Page 18 of The Prom King & The Ice Queen

Leo

It’sinsane to me how this girl can look so very sure of herself while wearing a white wig and a princess costume.

I don’t know whether to laugh or shout. I saved this girl from getting into so much trouble. She probably would’ve been fired, and much as she likes to act like she’s just working because she’s so much more mature than the rest of us, I know very well she needs the money.

It doesn’t take a genius to see that she’s broke when we all go out, and even I know that her clothes, while hot as hell, are second hand from the thrift store.

But can she bring herself to say thank you, Leo?

Of course not. That would mean admitting she’s human.

The ring is cold and heavy in my hand, and there’s an even colder, heavier knot in my stomach to match.

I so don’t need this from her today.

My pride’s already taken a hit since I just came out here after making nice with Vincent. No…Vince. That’s what he likes to be called. I didn’t exactly apologize—I’m not a freakin’ saint. But I made an attempt, which is basically what my mom’s been asking of me all along.

I guess it took watching my dad be a total dick to Vince tonight for me to realize that…I don’t want to be that guy.

I never want to be like my dad, but especially not tonight. So I made an attempt at being…well, not a nephew. A brother? I guess that’s how I’m supposed to act with him?

So yeah. I tried to be…if not nice, then at least not my dad.

On top of that, I’m still gonna have hell to pay from my grandparents and my mom after the whole “I stole Grandma’s favorite ring” announcement.

They’ve let it go for now because there’s a party underway, but I’m not stupid enough to think they’re going to drop it.

And now here’s Savannah. Staring at me like I’m the bad guy. I give my head a shake and hold the ring up between us. “All I’m asking is why, Savannah. That’s all I want to know.”

Because for some reason it’s killing me that I don’t. I can’t even guess what was going on in her head when she snatched this ring.

It wasn’t just out of character, it was completely at odds with everything I know about this girl. And I’ve known her my entire life.

She doesn’t answer.

She purses her lips and glances away, like she’s all put out by the question. I can feel my frustration rise. “Seriously? Nothing?”

She sighs and rolls her eyes.

“Okay, so I guess I can just assume you’re a thief then, right?”

That does it. Her eyes snap with fury as they meet mine and there’s a major crack in her I-don’t-care-what-you-think routine. “It was an honest mistake, that’s all.”

“A mistake,” I repeat, disbelief all over my tone.

“Yes.” She pulls herself up somehow, in that way she has. She’s shorter than I am, but that’s never stopped her from being able to look down her nose at me. “A mistake.”

It’s that snooty tone that really kills me. For a second I see red and I don’t hold back with the taunting tone. “So…what happened? You thought it was your ring?”

Her eyes narrow and my hands clench into fists.

“Is that what happened?” I want to see her break. I want to see any sort of human emotion from this girl. I take a step closer. “You forgot that you’re poor and mistook yourself for someone rich?”

“Leo!” My mother’s voice in the door behind me has both me and Savannah turning in surprise. My mom’s staring at me with wide, horrified eyes like she’s only now seeing me for the first time.

My stomach sinks as I realize what she’s just overheard…and how that sounds.

Like I’m taunting the help.

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