Page 54 of Wicked Dreams (Fallen Royals 1)

I drop the controller on the counter and lean back, taking a long swallow of beer. I’ll need six more of these before I share any more secrets about her. And how she’s still getting under my skin after all these years.

“Did you see who’s playing next week?” Eli asks, thankfully changing the subject. “Lion’s Head.”

“Oh, shit.” I laugh. “Liam, you ready to get your ass whipped?”

Liam crosses his arms. “They’re not that good.”

“They’re first in the fucking league,” I say. “Makes me glad I don’t play football. We don’t have to deal with the embarrassment of coming in second place in lacrosse.”

“Yeah, you talk a big game, Asher,” Theo replies.

“It’s because he doesn’t like to wear tights,” Eli cuts in. “And I, for one, totally agree. Cheers.” He leans over Theo and taps his beer bottle against mine.

Theo scowls at us. “You’re immature.”

“You’re the one wearing tights,” Eli mutters.

“We can take this outside.”

I grab Theo’s arm, and he falls back in his seat. “Something got you in a twist, Theo?”

“No.”

“Uh-huh.” Liam rolls his eyes. “You’re the worst liar.”

“That girl goes to Lion’s Head.” Theo’s eyes are practically black. “And she’s going to fucking show up at the game, and—”

“And nothing,” I say, patting his shoulder. “You’re worrying too much.”

Anger rolls off him. “If I see her, I’m going to fucking kill her.”

I grunt. “Okay, well, that’s not good. Anyone want to go find something better to do than hang around here?”

Liam hops up. “There’s that party tonight at Ian’s house.”

“Great. Come on.” I haul Theo up, pushing him ahead of me. He’s the silent but deadly type. Honestly? I’d feel sorry for the girl he wants to kill—if she steps foot in his way, that is.

Anger can be good from a distance. It’ll make him a better football player, and any skills he learns on that field we can use for lacrosse.

The doorbell rings as we’re piled in the kitchen, raiding Liam’s snack pantry.

Through a mouthful of food, Eli says, “I’ll get it.”

We all came together when we were fourteen. Eli and I knew each other from middle school, and Theo and Liam joined us from a neighboring private school. Actually, they transferred from Lion’s Head. I imagine that’s where Theo’s hatred started.

Anyway, all of us were angry in one way or another, and it was natural that we gravitated toward each other. We all made the lacrosse team, and even as freshmen, we were good. Good enough to start. By sophomore year, we were kings.

We walked through the halls worshipped by the other students. It helped that our families are made of money. Theo’s dad donated to the athletic department. Liam’s parents bought a fucking building. And me? Well, the school board knows to fear my last name.

They know what we’d do to them.

The sport made us not only untouchable—but loved. I’m not deaf. I’ve heard the whispers about the golden boys of Emery-Rose Elite. If people knew the truth behind our masks, they would shy away from us.

Eli comes back into the kitchen, followed by… Savannah.

I watch her, letting my mask slide back into place. It’s one thing to use her—it’s another thing entirely for her to come calling on me.

Her face is a mess of puffy eyelids and streaked mascara. Her chin is wobbling.

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