Wicked Princess - Ashley Jade Page 0,32

loaded question.

“I, uh…I’m having a tough time,” I tell her honestly.

“Yeah, I can imagine.” She exhales sharply. “I can’t believe Hayley’s dead.”

Guilt prickles my chest because she’s been the last person on my mind.

Even though we were friends.

Heck, more than friends, if the rumors are true.

“Yeah,” I say softly. “I know.”

Morgan’s features twist, like she’s contemplating something. “Bianca?”

“Yeah?”

She wrings her hands. “I just don’t understand why you were with Hayley that night when I told you what she was doing—”

“There you are,” Sawyer says. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”

I turn my attention back to Morgan because I have to know. “What do you mean? What was Hayley doing?”

“Bianca,” Sawyer snaps, her gaze ping-ponging between us. “Cole and Jace are blowing up my phone wondering where you are. I need to get you back home before they go postal.”

No surprise there.

I look at Morgan. “I have to go, but can I give you a call later so we can talk more about this?”

Given she knows what happened the night of the accident, I have a bunch of questions for her.

Morgan nods. “Yeah…sure.”

After programming her number into my new phone, I hobble out the door. “Ready when you are.”

We’re halfway out of the restaurant when Sawyer mutters a curse. “I forgot my purse. I’ll be right back.”

I’m about to offer to go with her, but I spot Stone wiping down the counters.

Suffice it to say, I know exactly what happened at the marina now.

As if sensing my stare, he looks up.

Warm eyes move over me like lava, sending a rush of heat through me.

The old Bianca might not have been into Stone…but the new Bianca very much is.

Too bad having feelings for him betrays the people I care about most.

“So, I told Morgan if she wanted a spot on the team, she had to go down on me. What I didn’t know was that Stone was lurking and recording the whole thing. I had no choice but to give him a blowjob in order to confiscate his phone and destroy the recording.” I hold up my hands. “Well, not me. The old Bianca.”

The one who ruins everything.

Dr. Wilson—or Walter as I usually call him, blinks. “I see.”

He promptly jots something down in his notepad.

I blow out a breath. “Anyway, Morgan said something about not understanding why I was with Hayley the night of the crash. I wanted to get clarification, but Sawyer walked in and said my brothers were looking for me.” Sighing, I add, “I was supposed to call Morgan later and find out what happened, but she never picked up.”

And she’s been ignoring me ever since.

A thick, heavy feeling pushes through my chest. “I’m starting to think it might not be such a bad thing, though.”

Walter looks up from his notebook. “Why is that?”

I tell him the truth. “Because the old Bianca caused nothing but problems. Maybe it’s best I try and move on with my life…well, the one I have now.”

Maybe the accident was the universe’s way of giving me a second chance.

Chapter 18

A loud thwack zaps me out of my thoughts.

I glance down at the book I dropped. Awesome.

I try to bend and maneuver as much as I can to grab it, but I only end up kicking it across the hallway instead.

“Good job, klutz,” I mutter to myself.

I hate these stupid crutches.

I look around to see if someone can help me, but there’s not a friendly face in sight.

Turning back to my locker, I grab a textbook for a different class.

“I think this belongs to you.”

Stone’s voice melts over my skin like butter in the midday sun.

Refusing to make eye contact, I drop my gaze to the floor as I take my book from him. “Thanks.”

“So, it’s like that now, huh?”

It has to be.

Anger fills his voice. “You’re not even gonna look at me?”

“You know we can’t be friends.” Pressing my forehead against my locker, I close my eyes. “Don’t make it any harder than it already is.”

He leans in just close enough that I can smell his orange-scented soap and the cinnamon from his gum. “You’re a fucking coward.”

The insult sends my insides coiling.

“Tell me what Tommy did was wrong.” Anger flushes over my cheeks and I find myself glaring. “Look me in the eyes and tell me he’s a heartless piece of shit.”

That he’s responsible for what happened to Liam.

And if there were any justice in the world, it would be Tommy in that grave instead of my brother.

Stone stays silent.

I hobble past