Page 107 of Cruel Academy (Princes of Ravenlake Academy 2)

I’m J.C.’s friend.

And despite his certainty that everyone would hate him once they found out his secrets, Caleb is still J.C.’s friend, too.

39

Caleb

I wake up in Finn’s guest room Sunday morning in my clothes, still lying on top of the covers.

After opening my aching eyes, I stare up at the ceiling and tell myself that the hazy, booze-soaked memories from the night before are just dreams.

Drinking myself into oblivion.

J.C. showing up at the fights.

Pushing Haley …

The last one especially feels like a dream. Or, rather, a nightmare.

I shoved her hard—harder than I intended.

I can’t stop seeing the look of shock that crossed her face when she realized what I’d done.

After that, the memories grow too foggy to wade through. And maybe I could have succeeded in thinking the night hadn’t really happened…

If it weren’t for the note J.C. left on the nightstand.

Why are you so heavy? You owe me a big one. And since you probably don’t remember, Haley gave you the bruise on your face. It was very hot and totally deserved. It’s sad you probably won’t remember it.

The note sounds exactly like regular old J.C. Almost like things are normal.

But I know better than to get my hopes up. He probably wouldn’t end our friendship through a note on the nightstand.

No, if he does it, he’ll do it in person.

I check the top of the nightstand, the drawer, and the floor around it, looking for a second note, but I don’t find one.

A flicker of disappointment alights in me, but I smother it.Haley didn’t leave a note, and that’s fine.

I don’t even know why I’m disappointed. Yes, we slept together, but Haley was only using me to learn to fight and based on the goose egg on my cheek, she has learned more than enough.

She doesn’t need me anymore. I sure as fuck don’t need her.

And now that my secret is out, there is no reason for the two of us to spend any time together.

It’s over and done with.

Good riddance.

After a quick shower, during which I only vomit twice, I toss on some of Finn’s clothes and drive home. I haven’t seen my mom since Friday night, and as soon as the front door opens, she pads out of the kitchen in her pajamas.

She is used to my comings and goings ever since my dad left, but she still gets worried when I’m gone too long.

She sighs in relief when I come through the door. “You could call.”

“I was at Finn’s.”

“I know,” she says, leaning against the doorway. “I drove by and saw your car.”

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