Page 32 of Wild Fury (Fallen Royals 6)

“You’re doing okay?”

I sigh. “You already asked that.”

“I asked if you were settling in okay, not if you’re doing okay. But now I want to know how you’re doing. Since you suck at talking about your emotions, you’re not allowed to say you’re fine or good or okay. So, Lucy, how are you doing?”

“Stressed but well dressed,” I say lightly.

She waits for a serious answer.

“I’m a little weirded out by everything,” I admit. “I went to a party last night, which was kind of cool. It was at one of the fraternities. But going back to the dorm and sleeping in a nearly empty building will probably be a ridiculously different experience from tonight. Everyone’s moving in.”

It was chaos when I tried to track down Felicity. She was surrounded by a gaggle of incoming students, but she seemed grateful for an excuse to make her escape.

“If I could be there, I would.” She makes a noise in the back of her throat. “Shit, Mom just got home. I’ve got to go.”

I’m the black sheep. Always have been… and I suspect I always will be.

“Love you,” she says.

“Love…” The beep of the call ending interrupts me. “You.”

I grimace.

“Who do you love?” Someone drops down beside me, nudging my arm.

Sebastian. Of course. Because things can’t just be simple. And while he’s cute, and mildly intriguing, something inside me is irritated with him. I shouldn’t have danced with him. Plain and simple. It was fun while I was in a drunken haze, but sober Lucy is embarrassed for herself.

“My boyfriend,” I lie. “Childhood sweetheart. He forgave me for dancing with you, so don’t think of coming between us.”

He laughs. “Right. Is his name Theo Alistair?”

I choke.

“Just paid him a visit, actually. He said you were fair game.”

“Like hell.” I cross my arms. “He’d never.”

He glances at me, then refocuses on the frisbee players. They’re closer now. One wild throw and we’re toast. Men don’t seem to realize the real estate they take up. Even Sebastian is spread out, the whole bench practically covered by his wingspan.

“He did,” he responds. “Poor bastard said I could have a fair shot at you. Seemed eager to get you off his radar.”

“See, that’s your mistake.” Irritation flashes through me, and I stand.

He stands, too, narrowing his eyes. “What was?”

“Theo would never take me off his radar. If you had said he wanted your help to take him off my radar…” I back away and grin. “He’s not the crazy one—I am.”

He just stares at me.

I do actually feel crazy in this moment, but I can’t verbally spar with Sebastian right now. I whirl around and stride away, gaining confidence the farther I get from him. Theo wouldn’t do that to me, which means Sebastian is lying.

Am I shoving away a perfectly nice boy? For someone who can’t, and won’t, love me. For a future of circling Theo. Yes.

“I’ll show you crazy, Lucy Page!” Sebastian yells when I’m more than ten yards away. “I promise you that.”

“You can try,” I call over my shoulder. I lift my middle finger—just for extra emphasis.

His laugh chases me all the way back to LBU West.

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