“It is when I do it,” I joked back, although she was totally right. I still didn’t love shopping. It stressed me out in a way I wasn’t sure would ever really go away. Too many memories of what it used to be like.
But I liked hanging out with Leah, and I needed to get out of Oak Park for a few hours. If shopping was what it took, I’d happily charge a few things to my grandparents’ credit card.
I was about to tell her I could drive us when a heavy hand fell on my shoulder. I jumped and spun around, coming face to face with Cole, who was flanked by the rest of the Princes.
Dammit.
“Um, hey guys. What’s up?”
“We need you.”
That was all he said. As if that were all that was required, the Royal equivalent of flashing the bat signal in the sky or something.
My brows furrowed. “Um, sorry. I’m going shopping with Leah. We have plans.”
Four sets of eyes turned to her, and she swallowed nervously. I understood that. I knew exactly what it felt like to be the focus of all that look.
“You sure about that?” Cole asked, his blue gaze cutting back to me. “This is important.”
I hesitated. They were all watching me, and Mason’s eyes had narrowed slightly, as if this were a test and he was trying to predict whether I’d pass.
A thick cloud of tension hung in the air as they waited, and it occurred to me suddenly that this was a test.
They’d declared me one of them. They’d called off the school and protected me from those who still wanted to make my life miserable. And now they wanted to see if I really was one of them. If I was ready to claim my legacy, or whatever over-dramatic, medieval sounding way they’d phrase it.
My stomach pitched sideways.
If I said no, if I blew them off, I was certain that would be it. The switch that’d somehow been flipped at Petra’s party would flip back, and I didn’t think I’d ever be able to undo it this time. If I got on their bad side again, I’d stay there forever.
But I couldn’t just let them win. I couldn’t force myself to go along with them—couldn’t choose them over my friend.
I opened my mouth to say that, but before I could speak, Leah interjected.
“You know what, go.”
What?
My gaze shot to her, and she shrugged. “It’s fine. My mom wanted me to come home and visit this weekend anyway, so I’ll just go see her. She’ll take me shopping. It’s cool.”
“See? It’s cool.” Cole raised his black brows. “Now come on. We don’t have all day.”
The four of them turned and began striding back toward campus, and I glanced at her, embarrassment and guilt making my face flush. “Leah, I—”
She shrugged again, though her voice was a little colder this time. “It’s cool, Tal. I get it. If you don’t play along, they’ll go back to making your life miserable. It’s probably smart to just do your Royal thing.” She pasted on a smile. “We’ll rain check.”
“Yeah.” I nodded, my gut twisting. “Yeah, okay.”
I turned to follow the guys, but as I walked away, I shot a look back toward Leah. She was watching me, her lips pressed tight, and I could see the disappointment in her eyes. The judgment.
She thought the Princes owned me.
And maybe she wasn’t wrong.
I had to jog to catch up to the four of them since they hadn’t slowed down, and by the time I joined them, we’d almost reached Clarendon Hall, the dorm they all lived in.
Elijah led us up to his room, which was surprisingly messy for a guy who always looked so put together. Posters of rock bands hung on the walls, and a few pieces of clothing were piled on one arm of the couch.
The four of them arrayed themselves around the living room, pulling out their phones as they sprawled languidly over the furniture.