Page 26 of Cruel Academy (Princes of Ravenlake Academy 2)

“No!” he bellows. “No, shut the fuck up. I don’t want your limp-ass apologies. Just…” He sighs in exasperation. “Just get the fuck out of my car. And stay away from me and my friends. That’s twice now that I’ve warned you. There won’t be a third time.”

The locked doors click open.

I don’t bother answering. I just grab my backpack and leap out of the car.

Then I put as much ground as possible between Caleb Wilson and me.

12

Caleb

“What the fuck was that with the new girl in the parking lot?” I ask J.C. later.

We’re at Finn’s, lounging around before we have to leave for football practice.

“I could ask you the same question. The only person I’ve ever seen you be that big of an asshole to is Viktor and … me.” J.C. frowns at that revelation and then shakes his head, dismissing it “So what did she do to you?”

“Nothing.”

Unless you count lying to her biker boyfriend and getting me ambushed by five Hell Prince cowards as “nothing.”

In which case, yes, Haley definitely did “nothing” to me.

“You were a pretty big dick.” Noah is still scrolling through his phone, but that doesn’t mean anything. He gives off a bored, indifferent vibe, but he is always listening. Always paying attention.

“Correction: Ihavea pretty big dick.”

I try to shift the tone of the conversation with a joke, but J.C. is relentless.

“Is that what it is?” he asks. “Do you want to give Haley the D?”

“No. I already said—”

“Because if so, I will back off. Bro code. Finders keepers.”

I groan. “Not necessary. I couldn’t be less interested.”

J.C. squints, studying me for any signs of deception, and then his face breaks into a smile. “Good. Because after four years in this place, the female offerings are getting thin, and I am too old to be hitting on freshmen.”

I don’t want to date Haley. Or fuck her.

The only thing I want to do with Haley is scare her into staying far, far away.

“Since when are you interested in Public trash?”

“She isn’t from Public. She goes to school with us.”

“Yeah,now, but a few months ago, you wouldn’t have given her a second look.”

J.C. holds up a finger. “That is where you are wrong, young Caleb.”

“I’m older than you.”

He continues without acknowledging me. “I would have given Haley a second and, perhaps, even a third look. She is hot. I just wouldn’t have dated her. It would have been a hump and dump situation.”

“You’re a real charmer,” Noah murmurs.

“Sorry not all of us have the sex drive of a monk,” J.C says with a shrug. “I have a reputation to uphold and parents to please, so I wouldn’t go out with her or anything. But my dick doesn’t care if she is new money.”

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