Page 156 of Wicked Dreams (Fallen Royals 1)

I shake my head. “I don’t understand.” It’s more for myself, for Unknown, than Riley.

What did I do to push them over the edge?

“Who got the video?”

She hesitates.

I have to physically stop myself from getting angry at her. She’s just being a good friend.

“Everyone,” she blurts out. “Like, the school. And someone posted it on social media. And—”

I’m going to be sick.

The noises from that video—noises I made—play on repeat in my mind.

I rush to the bathroom, falling to my knees in front of the toilet. I throw up. The acid burns on my tongue, but my stomach doesn’t settle for a few long moments.

Finally, I’m able to straighten. Riley hands me a glass of water, giving me a sympathetic look.

I shake my head. “Don’t do that,” I say. “Don’t pity me.”

She grabs my toothbrush and toothpaste from my bag, placing it on the counter. “I’m not trying to pity you, Margo. You know I love you. I just hate that this is happening. Again.”

I nod. “Yeah. I just—”

“I’ve already reported the video. Eli did, too—”

“He saw it?” I drop the toothpaste and cover my eyes. I don’t want to know how many people are watching me get finger-fucked by Caleb Asher. But if people I’m close with are seeing it? I can’t show my face. I can’t go back to Emery-Rose after that.

“He didn’t,” she says. “Once we realized what it was… No, we didn’t.”

I let out a shuddering breath.

She wraps her arms around me. “Let’s get you home, yeah? No need to worry. The Jenkinses will probably let you take a few days off, and the school board can get it removed…”

“Yeah.” I find myself nodding along with her plan. “Good idea.”

She smiles. “I’m full of good ideas.”

We leave and I lift my hood, just in case there are more students in the lobby. I’m not ready to deal with anyone’s comments.

The lash out from the photo was bad. I’m afraid the video is going to be even worse.

Eli has his truck out front, and I practically dive into his backseat. He throws me a glance, eyebrows raised.

“You okay?” he asks.

I force myself to smile, although I think it’s more like a grimace. “Yes.”

I wonder if Caleb knows yet. I doubt he had a chance to check his phone before he ran out of the hotel room. He would’ve told me.

Right?

I spot Caleb’s car in the Jenkins’ driveway as we come up the street.

“Keep going,” I tell Eli. Shock and dread twist through me.

He glances back at me. “What—”

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