Page 107 of Wicked Games (Fallen Royals 2)

“You have a car?” Something dark flutters in my chest.

“Yeah, my foster parents taught me how to drive. Isn’t that cool? I just was able to get my permit last week! They still let me take the car out by myself, though.”

I suck in a breath, tempted to tell her no. Her foster parents taught her how to drive. They’ll probably teach Hanna, too, when she is old enough. And here I am, relying on Robert, Caleb, and Riley to get me places.

It stings like lemon dripped into a fresh cut.

Luck of the draw. It’s always that way with foster care. Kids either get lucky or… not.

And I definitely got lucky. I need to shake off this attitude just because Claire has her driving permit. Yet, I can’t get in the car with her.

“Let’s sit on the sun porch,” I offer.

Lenora lets out a slight exhale behind me. I guess I’m not the only one who wasn’t comfortable with me getting in Claire’s car.

“Fine,” Claire huffs.

I roll my eyes, and we go to the sun porch. I sink into one of the cushioned wicker chairs, and Claire mimics my movement. Clouds hang low.

I clear my throat. “So, they taught you to drive.”

“Yeah.” Her face softens, and she grabs my hand. “I’m sorry, Margo. I feel awful that I just gave you that clipping and told you I recognized Caleb, then left.”

I let out a short laugh. Claire might’ve been the catalyst of my realization, but Caleb dug his own grave. “You were just trying to help.”

“Still.”

“So you decided to swing by?”

She brightens. “Yeah. Well, I wanted to show off my driving skills. I couldn’t get away before now.”

Claire, the wild child. Always a rule breaker. I don’t bother pointing out that she shouldn’t be driving alone with a permit, and she especially shouldn’t be driving someone else around without a license. A little thing like the law wouldn’t stop her.

“How’s Hanna?”

She grins, releasing me and leaning back. “She’s good. She’s really enjoying that school.”

“You said she’s at Lion’s Head’s middle school?” I perk up. “Caleb and I are going to the championship game. Are you going?”

“We were thinking about it. A guy asked…” Her face gets red. “I just don’t think I’m ready to date. He’s nice and all.”

“Well, if you go, you can meet me there.” It’s the weirdest feeling, seeing Claire in front of me and wanting to know everything that happened between August and now. There’s no way to get that time back. Not like how we used to be.

“Maybe,” she says.

“Remember when we first met?”

Her gaze shutters for a second, then she lifts a shoulder. “How could I not? Hanna and I weren’t expecting anything other than a shitty foster home that’d been coerced into taking both of us. We got the surprise of our lives.”

“Me, too.”

“So, uh, you and Caleb are still together?”

I squint at her. “Yep.”

“Even though he’s an awful person?”

I shake my head. “Seriously, Claire?” I get up. I need something—a glass of water to drink or chuck at her head, I’m not sure.

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