Page 56 of Fractured Heart

Chapter 27

The guys walk with me as far as the clock tower before we part ways. The plan is for Charles and me to work on the song while Tate and JJ meet up with their study group.

It’s just another reminder that, unlike me, the guys all go to college, but I try to focus on happier things. Like the fact that the guys want me to help with their audition song. And that Silas isn’t around.

A part of me is glad the Dark Prince never came back after he stormed out of rehearsal, but I know he’ll be back. It makes me nervous, but I also can’t stop thinking about the moment we met. Wishing he didn’t hate me.

“I’ll see you tonight, Roonie.” Tate wraps me in a tight hug. He holds me against his chest for a few sweet, heart-pounding seconds and then he abruptly lets go. “I can’t wait to hear the song you decide on.”

“You sure you want to work on this with Charles?” JJ asks, throwing an arm around my shoulder.

“Y-yeah.” I blush as he pulls me into his side. “Why?”

“Because…” JJ wraps a strand of my hair around his finger and gives it a tug, “you’d have a lot more fun working with me.”

“Cut it out, JJ.” Tate pulls him away from me.

“Ignore him, Roonie.” Charles grunts in agreement and moves to my side.

“Or you could ignore both of them and spend the night with me.” JJ winks.

Tate rolls his eyes. “Thank you for coming to our rescue, Roonie.”

“Me?” My eyes widen.

I’ve written songs about princesses who rescue their princes. I just never thought I’d be one of them. Then again, I never expected to meet the three princes, so maybe fairy tales can come true?

“We owe you one,” JJ agrees. He gives my hair another tug and leans closer. “I’d be more than happy to repay you. Personally.”

I don’t think his offer is sincere—there’s no way he’d actually be interested in me and I doubt he’d hit on me so openly in front of his roommates unless he was just playing. I know all that but heat still travels up my neck all the way to the tips of my ears.

JJ chuckles.

“If you need a guitar, you can borrow mine,” Tate says, and my embarrassment is quickly replaced with panic. Another thing I’ve screwed up.

“I, um, don’t need a guitar…” I shake my head emphatically. “Because it’s a cappella. You know…singing without instruments?”

“You’re the artist.” Tate shrugs. “But hey, if you change your mind, Charles can show you where I keep it. There’s also a piano in the music room.”

“You have a music room?” My eyes light up. Then I remember that I’d just said I didn’t want instruments. “Not for today, of course. I really don’t need any instruments today.”

“There’s one in the music building. It’s got tons of instruments and great acoustics. I’ll take you there sometime.” Tate gives me another hug, which I definitely don’t deserve. “We better get going or the others will think we’re no-shows.”

JJ gives my hair another tug and slaps Charles on the shoulder in parting. Then he follows Tate, leaving me completely alone with the Beast.

“Come on.” Charles places a huge hand on the small of my back and steers me away from the apartment.

“Where are we going?” I ask nervously. I may have gotten lost on the way to rehearsal, but I can practically see the apartment building. “Shouldn’t we be going that way?”

“I thought we’d grab something to eat first.” Charles stops and waits for me to agree before leading the way.

We turn onto a narrow path, which barely has enough room for the Beast’s huge frame, let alone both of us side by side. He wraps his arm around me, pulling me close, and somehow, we both fit.

You’d think that after running all over campus, trying to find the rehearsal space, all these paths would start to look familiar. They don’t. I definitely would have noticed the giant sculpture of the frowning man that I see to my left. Birds perch on his head and white droppings trail down his surly face. I know there’s a song there somewhere, but Charles’s nearness makes it hard to think.

“Hear that?” he asks.

I catch the faint trickling of water in the distance and nod.