Page 35 of Wicked Dreams (Fallen Royals 1)

“What about Savannah?”

“What about her?”

I sigh. “You’re just going to kiss her again, aren’t you? Embarrass me in some way—” I stop when his smile just grows bigger.

“By all means, keep giving me ideas.”

I groan and turn back to the front of the room. Robert has his own canvas out, facing us. He’s demonstrating a new way to hold the brush and palette.

“I’ll pick you up at five,” Caleb whispers.

“No, you won’t.”

He tuts. “Arguing will do you no good, love.”

Ugh. “Fine.”

I can feel his smile, even when I’m not looking at him. We don’t speak for the rest of class—clearly, I’m no good to him once he gets what he wants—and he leaves as soon as the last bell rings.

I stop at Robert’s desk, clearing my throat. “I’m not sure I’m getting the hang of this painting thing. And being paired with Caleb—”

“Margo,” he says in a gentle voice. “We’ve known Caleb’s family for years. He may come off strong, but he’s a good guy.”

I sigh. Of course he’s already won them over before I’ve had a chance to make a case. This has been years in the making, and the luck of my foster placement. “He wants me to go to the game.”

“Oh? Making friends besides Riley? That’s great, honey.”

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, I don’t know if he’s a friend, but… I guess it is good.”

He packs up his bag, and we walk to his car together.

“What time is he picking you up?” Robert asks.

“You’re on board with him taking me, even though he got into a fight?”

“Boys do that. Especially over girls.”

I ponder that as we climb into the car. Boys fight—especially over girls. Maybe that’s the angle I need to take. Get on his nerves by going after one of his friends.

Not Eli, of course. He’s smitten with Riley, even if he’d never admit it. She barely tells me as it is. And Theo is too… dark. Of the four, I’d go so far as to say he’s the most sinister of them. He barely speaks, never so much as looks at me. It’s like there’s a firestorm in his chest, and he’s just waiting for the perfect person to unleash it on.

I shiver.

That leaves Liam—the one Caleb got into a fight with, as a matter of fact.

Perfect.

At home, I take a quick shower and apply fresh makeup. I go a little heavier on my eyes, because after all, I have to seduce Caleb’s best friend.

Riley texts me that she can’t pick me up, with many frowning emojis.

Riley: But Caleb offered to get you!

I want to laugh, knowing she’s not really sorry. She’s probably too excited and nervous at the prospect of Eli taking her.

Lenora calls up the stairs that my friend is here. My friend. I scoff at the mirror, straightening my sweater. It’s one of my newer purchases, and it’s as soft as butter. My other clothes are worn out in one way or another. A hole in the hem, a loose thread, a bleach stain. Luckily, the uniform at school hides my lack of clothes.

I go slowly down the stairs, not expecting Caleb to be right at the bottom. He’s wearing a long-sleeve black shirt with Emery-Rose’s gold logo on the breast, dark jeans, and a black beanie. His hair curls out from under it, like the hipster version of Channing Tatum.

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