Page 41 of Royal Desire

Me – Do you actually work or just annoy others through text all day?

Payne In My Ass – You’re not the only one with life-and-death burdens. The set better be good, Ruby.

Just Ruby. No nickname. How I crave those days.

Me – I’ll see you at The Speakeasy.

Payne In My Ass – I can’t fucking wait.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

NICE

Payne

Nineteen years ago

“Why are you hitting me like I’m the enemy?” Dean puts his hands to my chest and shoves as best he can. I’ve got five inches and at least fifteen pounds on him. But that doesn’t keep him from wanting to beat my ass into the ground. I don’t blame him. I’ve been using him and every other offensive lineman as my punching bags.

“It’s called football,” I bite

He rips his helmet off, throws it to the ground, and pounds his chest plates twice. “Friend, not foe. Got it? Save it for the game tomorrow, dickhead.”

I rip my own helmet off but don’t throw it to the ground like Dean. I do it because I see her. I look past him to Ruby, who’s walking out the front doors of the middle school with a group of girls and guys.

More guys than girls to be exact.

One in particular that pisses me off.

Dean turns to see what I’m looking at. “Is that why I took a beating at practice today?”

I can’t tear my eyes away from her. “You took a beating because it’s football. If you don’t like it, join the school play.”

Dean barks a laugh. “By the look on your face, I’d say you want to take out the entire play cast too.”

“Only one,” I mutter.

Dean picks up his helmet. “I might stick around to see this. Your dad’ll be the one kicking your ass if you get suspended and miss the game this week.”

Dean is right. My dad will lose his shit if I do anything to fuck up my time on the field. That includes going easy at practice.

I pick up my backpack from the sideline and stalk past my friend to go to my best friend and figure out what she’s doing. No one knows her better than I do, and even I can’t figure it out. “Don’t stick around. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Good luck. You’ll need it,” Dean calls after me.

I’m halfway to what I call the thespian nerd club led by their president, Ruby—I’m in a fucking mood—Sinclair. She looks over at Hollis, laughs, and smiles like she hasn’t smiled at me in over a week, which has put me in a shitty mood. Though I’m not about to admit that to anyone.

Hollis tries to put his arm around her shoulders, which is as awkward as the pimples on his face since he’s two inches shorter than her.

“Hey!” I yell and pick my pace up to a jog.

Ruby turns, and Hollis looks like a jumpy bunny when he sees me.

That’s right, Hollis. Take your boney fingers off my best friend.

Ruby rolls her eyes. At least I know which Ruby I’m dealing with. “What do you want?”

I’m sweaty, covered in grass stains, and am riper than the boys’ locker room, but I don’t care. I ignore the thespian followers and speak to their fearless leader. “I’ll walk you home.”