Page 134 of Wicked Games (Fallen Royals 2)

“Eh, Matt used to go to Emery-Rose. We were all friends before he transferred, and it just stuck.”

“That’s sweet.” I pop a kernel into my mouth. Salt and butter explode on my tongue. “Is Theo gonna go crazy again?”

Caleb snorts. “See the girl with the camera? By the Lion’s Head coach.”

I squint, but then I see her. Her blonde hair is pulled back in a braid, slung over her shoulder. Dark-framed glasses. She’s drowning in a black jacket. There’s a camera slung around her neck, and she periodically raises it to her eye.

“What’s his problem with her?”

Caleb shrugs. “I don’t know.”

“Why?”

“I didn’t ask. But he might freak out on her.”

Eli turns around. “Might? Hundred bucks says he’ll do something stupid.”

Caleb’s eyes narrow. “Define stupid.”

“Touch her in some way. Push her or break her camera.”

I shake my head. “No, he wouldn’t risk getting carded before the game’s even started, would he?”

Eli smirks at me. “Well, what do you think is going to happen, Wolfe?”

“Maybe he’ll just yell at her.” I don’t really want anything to happen to her—because I know how it is. I know what it’s like to have someone gunning for you. Especially someone as dark as Theo. As dark as Caleb.

“Is that a bet?”

I shrug. “I sure as hell don’t have a hundred bucks to give you.”

Caleb snickers. “I’ll pay if you’re wrong.”

Eli and Caleb shake hands, and I roll my eyes.

“He might not even react at all,” I murmur.

“Nope. See?” Eli points.

Sure enough, the starters for each team are taking the field, but Theo heads straight for the girl.

“Ah, hell,” Caleb mutters. “Game hasn’t even started yet.”

He stops just shy of her. She stands still. He waves his hands in front of her face, but he doesn’t touch her. He might be on the edge of it, because I picture steam pouring out of his ears, but Liam grabs him and yanks him back.

And that was that.

Caleb hoots. “Pay up, Black.”

Eli grumbles and holds out a crisp hundred-dollar bill. More money than I’ve ever held at once, I’d reckon.

I eye it like it’s kryptonite, and both boys laugh at me. Caleb takes it and tucks it into my front pocket, patting my thigh.

“Good call,” he whispers, kissing my temple.

“Well, we did fake date. You really get to know a person that way.” I realize the instant the words leave my mouth that I shouldn’t have said it.

Caleb’s expression drops. “Is that right?”

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