Page 26 of Wicked Games (Fallen Royals 2)

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Past

“Margo!”

I jerked upright. The sun had felt so good beating down on my face that I closed my eyes. It was just for a minute.

Mom burst into my room, gaze going straight to my face. “What are you doing on the floor?”

I shrugged.

Sundays were a big day for her, which meant her white chef’s coat was pristine. She meal-prepped lunches for the Ashers to take to work, and then she came home and do the same for us. Now she smoothed it down, a calming gesture for her.

“Lydia wanted to know if you would like to go to the park with them.”

I perked up. I wasn’t allowed to call Mrs. Asher by her first name, but Mom was. I guessed it was an adult thing. Caleb called my mom Amberly.

So maybe it was a me thing.

“When?”

“Now.” She laughed. She came over and held out her hands, lifting me to my feet. “If you want. I made sandwiches for a picnic.”

“Are you going?”

She shook her head. “No, I have some things to do around the house.”

I bit my lip.

“Your dad will be home later,” she said, reading my mind. “He just got caught up at the office.”

On a Sunday.

Even I knew it was unusual for him to work on a weekend.

“Okay,” I said.

She brushed her hand over my clothes, straightening my shirt and smoothing my hair. “Perfect.”

I smiled.

Lydia and Caleb were in the kitchen when we walked in. Caleb sat at the breakfast bar, dutifully finishing breakfast. I had eaten hours ago, pouring myself a bowl of cereal after I woke and discovered the house empty.

My stomach growled.

Mom tapped the back of my head like it was my fault my stomach was being loud.

“Good morning, Margo,” Lydia greeted me.

I smiled at her. “Hi.”

Caleb twisted around. “I lost a tooth.”

I climbed up on the stool next to him. He gave me a wide smile, showing a gap in his teeth. I grimaced. I hated plucking out loose teeth. The last one that wiggled, Caleb reached in my mouth and snatched it out.

He wouldn’t give it back for the tooth fairy, either.

My mom kissed me on the head. “Have fun. I’ll see you later.”

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