3. Maddison

Maddison

I ’m not going to lie; River has intrigued me. I feel like there’s more to why we’re hanging out tonight than he’s telling me. Like maybe he’s surprising me with another practice run. It kind of seems crazy, considering how hard we ran earlier this morning. But maybe he really does just want to hang out at a taco truck with me.

I snort a laugh as I picture River eating food from a taco truck—not that it’s bad food. Some of the best food I’ve eaten is from a truck. But River hasn’t, and I’m not shocked at all. My bet is he probably hasn’t even eaten fast food.

I’m not thrilled about spending money on food tonight, but it should only cost me a couple of bucks. And yesterday morning, I found a five-dollar bill in one of the public restrooms here, which is nicer than any bathroom I’ve been in. There were even mints to take. Seriously? This place astounds me on a daily basis, even after being here for a week.

I still need a damn job, though. I’m starting to get desperate enough that I’m considering asking Lily if she knows of anything. She’s a royal, so she has to know the city better than I do. I need to get hired quickly not only before I run out of cash, but I want to use that to my benefit when I have to attend my court date. It’ll help me out if I have a job along with classes. It’ll make the judge see me as responsible, and if I get community service, my time might be lower because I’m so busy with my responsible duties.

At least, I’m crossing my fingers that it’ll work out that way.

I slide my laptop off my lap, drag my butt off my bed, and walk into the living room to see if Lily’s out there. The room is empty, but her bag is on the sofa and her bedroom door is shut, so I’m guessing she’s in there.

Sucking in a breath, I cross the room and lift my fist to knock. I hesitate. I hate asking for favors. It makes me feel pathetic. If I don’t ask her, though, I’m screwed because I’ve tried everywhere to find a job with no luck at all. I’m desperate and don’t know what else to do other than seek help.

Help. Blah. It’s such a sucky word to me, attached to definitions of strings and disappointment. Like I said, though, I reek of desperation right now, which is almost as stinky as my BO earlier.

I tap my knuckles on Lily’s door before I can chicken out and hear a crash and a loud bang.

“Just a second,” Lily calls out, sounding breathless. Then her bedroom door cracks open, and she peeks out. “Oh, hey, what’s up?”

“Um … I wanted to talk to you about something, but if you’re busy, I can do it later,” I tell her, getting the impression she might not be alone in her room.

“Yeah, if it can wait, that’d be awesome … I’m working on some stuff right now … new yoga moves. Later tonight?” Her words rush out of her.

I shift my weight, wanting to end this conversation because I’m fairly certain she has a guy in her room. “I can’t. I’m going out with River.”

Her eyes widen. “What? Like on a date?”

“No, just as friends,” I explain. “We’re going to a taco truck.”

Lily rubs her lips together, considering this. “Give me, like, two minutes, and I’ll be out.” She holds up a finger.

“You don’t have to …” I trail off as she shuts the door.

“Whoa, River’s going on a date,” someone whispers from inside her room.

The voice is male, so I guess I was right about the hooking-up thing.

I wait for her on the sofa, picking at my fingernails and wishing I hadn’t knocked. Not that Lily was rude about it or anything. It’s just weird I interrupted … Well, whatever I interrupted.

“Okay, I’m all yours,” she announces two minutes later as she exits her room. She smooths her hands over her blonde hair and then plops down into a chair across from the sofa. She is wearing silk pants and a white vest.

“You were doing yoga in that ?” I tease her.

“Oh … I …” She glances down at her outfit. “I changed. That’s what the two minutes was for.”

I press back a smile. “Sure it was.”

She groans, her head bobbing back. “Fine. I had a guy in my room, but I can’t tell you who it was.”

I arch a brow. “Sounds scandalous.”

She dithers, chewing on her lip. “It kind of is.”

I straighten. “I’m intrigued.”

“I wish I could tell you more, but I can’t say who it was.”

“I probably wouldn’t even know who it was if you did.”

She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “He’s from a family that my family loathes. I’m not even sure he likes me. He might just be using me for sex.” She pauses. “Have you ever had this problem? Because I feel like it’s reoccurring for me.”

“I’m a virgin, so not really,” I say then shrug when she gape at me. “What? I’d rather stay a virgin than risk getting pregnant. I’m just not ready to be a mom.”

“You know, there’s these things called birth control and condoms that prevent that from happening,” she tells me, smiling and shaking her head.

“I know, but those aren’t one hundred percent effective.” I recline back in the chair and tuck my legs onto the cushion. “Honestly, it’s not just about that. It’s about the risk of falling for someone, or falling for the wrong someone, and then my life gets off track. I want to be here more than anything, and I don’t want to risk messing that up. And this is the first time I only have to worry about myself. It’s been nice.” Although, I do need to get rid of the last northside attachments I’m still dragging around, like Drew.

She eyes me over. “If you dated someone here, you wouldn’t have to change your plans.”

I snort a laugh. “Aw, Lily, there’s no way in hell a royal will ever end up with a north-sider, unless they’re just a side piece. Trust me; I’ve seen it a ton of times. It even happened to my aunt.”

“I get what you’re saying, but I have heard of a few stories where a north-sider and a royal ended up married.”

“I feel like you’re making stuff up.”

“I so am not,” she protests then digs her phone out of her pocket. “Hold on. I’m going find an example.” She types away and skim-reads for a moment before showing me her phone. “See?”

I slant forward and see a couple on the screen. While the woman looks all dolled up, her eyes carry shadows that remind me a lot of my own. They do look happy, though, all smiles and sunshine.

“That’s cool and everything, but it’s obviously rare.” I sink back into the sofa. “It doesn’t matter, anyway. I have a bunch of other stuff I need to deal with before I even think about dating.” I shift, lowering my feet to the floor. “Which is what I need to talk to you about. I don’t know if you can help me or not, but I’m giving it a go because I’m running out of options.” I summon the courage with a deep breath. “I need a job badly , and I’ve tried to find one in the city, but I’m having no luck. And I can’t work at the job I had on northside because it’s too far,” I lie. “So, I was wondering if you knew of something since you’re more familiar with the city.” God, I feel like an idiot. Why would she? She doesn’t have to work?

“Actually, I may know of something.” She starts texting on her phone. “My mother is friends with this woman who runs a party planning business. She does everything from decorating to the food to the waiting staff.”

“I have experience as a waitress.” A bit of hope sparkles in my chest. Please, let this work out.

“Let me get her number from my mom, and then we will go from there.” She sets her phone down. “It’ll probably take her a bit to reply—today’s ‘spa day.’” She makes air quotes as she says this, and when I give her a questioning look, she adds, “Don’t ask.”

“I won’t then.” Lightness is spreading through my body as I rise to my feet. “Thank you so much for doing this. I really, really appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome. It’s what friends are for.” She smiles as she stands up. And it’s weird because I feel like she’s my friend.

Sure, I’ve had people I’ve considered my friends before, but this feels different, perhaps because I feel like I can trust her.

“Now, I get to ask questions.” She clasps her hands together and grins. “What is up with you and my brother?”

“Finn? He just likes to annoy me.” I’m aware she’s referring to River, but I’m avoiding.

With her hands on her hips, she narrows her eyes at me. “You know that’s not what I meant. I’m talking about River, my broody brother whom you’ve spent so much time with.”

“Training,” I emphasize. “And he really isn’t broody.” I wander toward the kitchen. “He just comes off that way sometimes.”

“Oh, I know.” She follows me. “But only people who know him know that.”

I open the fridge, mainly to avoid eye contact with her. “I’m not saying I don’t know him.” I shut the fridge without grabbing anything. “I’m just saying that we’re friends. And friends know each other.”

“Mmhmm …” She continues to assess me with her arms crossed, her gaze dissecting me. “So, if I asked River if tonight was a date, he’d say no.”

Nodding, I face her. “Both of us know we’re just friends. And you know as well as I do that River doesn’t date.”

“Well, he should,” she mumbles then sighs. “Fine, you guys are just friends. But I’m glad you are because he needs someone like you in his life.”

I point at myself. “What do you mean, like me ?”

She shrugs. “Someone not connected to our world. Someone nice. Someone who’ll make him smile—he doesn’t smile a lot.”

“Yeah, I noticed that.” I briefly pause. “This Isla girl he’s betrothed to, has he ever spent any time with her?”

She nods. “When we were kids, all of us would hang out as friends. But I think, as River and her got older, the arranged marriage hovering over them started to taint their friendship.” She walks back into the living room. “She’s nice, though. Quiet, but nice.” She heads to her bedroom then pauses in the doorway. “So, I’m going to this club opening this weekend, and I want you to go. Wren’s going, too.”

I hesitate, wishing I could go but knowing I can’t afford it.

“Everything’s free because my father is a partial investor, so you won’t have to pay for anything.” She folds her fingers together in front of her. “Please, go. I want to get to know you better, especially since you’re hanging out with River.”

I want to say no, knowing I might feel out of place at a royal club. But I do want to go. I’ve missed out on so many life experiences already, and this one seems fun.

“Okay, yeah, count me in.”

She squeals then wraps her arms around me, hugging me.

And holy hell, it’s so weird. I’m not sure of the last time I’ve been hugged, and I end up being awkward and patting her back. She doesn’t appear to notice as she steps back and grins.

“I have to get to class, but we’ll talk later about the details.” She steps into her room. “Oh, and I’ll text when I hear back from my mom.”

“Thanks. Like so much.”

She smiles like it’s no big deal and shuts her door.

But it is a big deal. A huge deal. At least, to me.

People don’t do favors out of the goodness of their hearts—that’s what I’ve known forever. Except, now it doesn’t seem to be that way, which is making me question everything about my past.