Page 101 of Cruel Elite (Princes of Ravenlake Academy 3)

“You don’t mean that.”

He turns to me, his movements fast and robotic. “I’ve never meant anything more.”

“Noah, please.”

He pulls his car door shut before I can say anything else. Beyond jumping on the hood of his car, I have no other means to stop him.

Even if I did, I’m not sure it would matter. Right now, he looks like he might actually run me over.

So, I stand frozen in the driveway as Noah drives past without looking at me.

I wait for a long time, thinking he’ll come back. Certain he’ll regret what he said and come back, but after a few hours, I have no other choice but to go inside and “meet” my mom’s boyfriend.

Three months later, with my mom seven months pregnant, they get married.

Momma and Stepdad Steve Boone.

30

Penny

Present Day

“Don’t call me that.”

Noah’s cheeks are red and splotchy, his lips pressed together so hard they’re white.

“Why not? Isn’t that what we are? That’s what you said.”

“We aren’t related.”

“But, that’s what you—”

“I was wrong.”

He looks like the words taste bad in his mouth.

I’m sure they do. Noah has never been one to admit when he’s wrong, so the admission takes us both by surprise.

He rolls his eyes and lets out a sharp breath. “Clearly, I don’t think of you as my sister.”

“Stepsister?” I ask, being cheeky.

His tongue runs along his bottom teeth, and he scowls at me. “No.”

“Hmm. Wow. If only one of us had considered this possibility. If only we’d slowed down long enough to realize our whole lives weren’t over.”

“Mine is!” Noah pushes off the bed and moves towards me, though he seems to think better of it, keeping his distance. “My mom’s life is still a mess. I can’t help but notice you’re doing fine, though.”

I choke on a laugh, pressing a hand to my chest to keep from wheezing. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

“You have your mom and you dad and your little sister.”

“Yourlittle sister, too. She’s the only legitimate connection between us.”

Noah ignores me and continues. “Seems pretty cozy from the outside looking in.”

“Considering I’m on the outside, too, I’ll have to take your word for it.”

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