Page 23 of Broken Prince
“I’m here to see Elijah. It’s okay; I’m allowed to be here. I have, like an open invitation to be at the house, even know the gate code and everything.” She grins proudly.
My stomach sinks. “Oh.” I blink a few times. “Are you his girlfriend?” If he has a girlfriend, why would he sleep with me? And why would he be looking at me the way he was today.
Her eyes widen, and then she laughs like it’s the funniest thing I ever said. “Oh god, no.” She waves me off. “Girl, yes, friend, also yes, but not together. We’re best friends; hell, he’s like my brother. We’ve known each other since kindergarten. Soulmates but not in a romantic way.” She shrugs. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, he’s hot as hell. But also, I’m not really into men anyway.” She adds with a wink.
I feel stupid for jumping the gun and a smile takes over my lips as she keeps chattering on. It’s cute and not annoying. Elijah’s best friend, huh. Not going to lie, makes me feel a hell of a lot better than I did a moment ago.
This Winter girl is adorable. I kinda of like her.
“Winter?” Elijah’s sleepy voice sounds. He’s standing in his doorway, no shirt, with his sleep pants hung low on his waist. My eyes drop to his V, and I can’t stop my mouth from watering. His eyes drift over to mine. “Laney?”
“Hey, Eli,” Winter waves at him, her smile still on. This girl is, like made out of rainbows and sunshine or something.
His gaze drifts back to hers. “You okay? What are you doing here so late.”
I can see Winter’s smile falter, but she does her best to keep it in place. “Oh, just mom and dad again.” She laughs, but this time it’s hollow.
Elijah’s face softens. “Come on in.” He opens his door wider.
“It was nice to meet you, Laney. I have a feeling we’re going to be best friends too.”
I’m caught off guard when she quickly hugs me before rushing into Elijah’s room.
“She’s... nice.” I laugh, still not sure what the heck just happened.
He looks into the room before stepping out. “She’s just a friend,” he tells me, eyes searching mine. He looks worried.
“She told me. But even if she wasn’t, it would be none of my business.” I laugh lamely.
His face falls. “Yeah.” He blinks a few times. “Sure.”
“Anyway, I’m gonna go grab something to drink. Night.”
He sighs. “Night, Laney.”
As I turn around and walk the rest of the way down the hall, I can’t help but feel like I’ve said the wrong thing. The look of disappointment on his face wasn’t all in my head, was it?
I can’t help but feel a pang of disappointment of my own. Now, a part of me wishes she was his girlfriend because then maybe I could convince myself to stop feeling like this.
How can they have this much power over my feelings? I only knew each of them for a day before coming here.
At this point, I know I can’t keep denying things. I want them, but I can’t—no, won’t—touch them.
I know that will prove to be easier said than done.
Chapter 5
Elijah
“So, that was Delaney,” Winter hums as she plops down on my bed, making herself at home like she always does.
“Don’t.” I point at her, giving her a stern look.
It only makes her grin. “I can see the appeal. She’s hot. Like, if I didn’t already know my best friend fucked her, I’d make a move.”
“Winny,” I growl, and she bursts into giggles.
“Relax. I’m not going to make a move on your girl.” She slides herself up until she’s leaning back against my headboard.