Page 38 of Vicious Desire (Fallen Royals 4)

“My parents are divorcing,” she says. “I’m lucky this year’s tuition is already paid, otherwise they probably would’ve made me transfer to Stone Ridge High for senior year. Their lawyer fees are eating everything up, they’re constantly miserable…”

She turns to me, eyes wide.

“I didn’t mean to say any of that.”

I nod. I know how that feels. “It’s okay.”

We come up on a girl walking along the road, kicking weeds, and I slow down.

“What are you doing?”

“That’s Parker.” I stop the car and roll down the passenger window. I call out to her, “What are you doing?”

We’re at least a mile from school. She hasn’t made it very far.

She glances at me and frowns. “I’m walking.”

“Yeah…” Skylar huffs. “But why?”

Parker faces us. “Who are you?”

“Skylar Buckley.” She extends her hand through the window.

Parker comes forward slowly, then shakes her hand. “One of the popular girls, Riley? I didn’t expect you to be friends with—”

“I’m not,” Skylar snaps.

Friends with me, or popular?

Doesn’t matter.

I sigh.

“Oh,” Parker say. “Um, sorry.”

“Do you want a ride?” I ask. Like this ride could get any more awkward. Yet, I’d feel even worse if I drove by without offering.

Parker’s gaze goes from Skylar to me. “I live in Beacon Hill.”

I nod sharply. “It’s fine. Get in.”

“You can drop me first,” Skylar says quietly as Parker climbs in the backseat. “Work your way back home. It’s not really linear, but…”

“I’d rather not go home right away, anyway.” Noah won’t get off work until six, and Dad… I won’t see him until tomorrow morning. I don’t like being home alone with Mom. It brings back feelings of a haunted house. I know she’s there, but she won’t appear.

Parker leans forward. “Why not?”

“Because it’s too depressing.” I put the car back in drive and hit the gas.

They don’t comment on that, and Skylar cranes around to face Parker.

“You were at Lion’s Head?” Skylar asks.

“Briefly.”

“You knew Liam and Theo?”

I grit my teeth.

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