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“Scarlett and Penelope think that.”
“Yeah, but—”
“What? They don’t count? So does Topher,” he shot back.
“But he’s no longer a Royal.”
“Screw the Royals.” Thorne’s voice boomed through the line, and I flinched. “They don’t get to determine your value.”
Years of self-doubt bubbled up inside me. “But doesn’t it mean something that Ella seems to like Luca, and I’m nothing like him? Not even a little bit?”
“So, what? Just because she likes him, which you don’t even know, by the way, means she can’t also like you? Listen to me, Bare,” he said before I could reply with something stupid. “You wanna know why we’re friends?”
Actually, I had wondered about that very thing since last semester. “Why?” I asked, taking the bait.
“Because I saw something in you. Underneath your lack of confidence, I saw a genuine dude who cares about people. Someone with a heart of gold, who’s pretty damn funny without even trying. Someone who knows who he is and what he’s not. And you’re freaking smart, man. Probably the smartest person I know. So don’t forget any of that. You have a lot of things they don’t. Good things. Things that I can one hundred percent guarantee you chicks will care about. If not Ella, then some super-hot chick at college. So get your head out of your ass and back in the game, because you’ve got this.”
“You’re right.” My mouth flattened into a hard line with a renewed sense of self-confidence.
“Damn right I am.”
“I’m sorry. I just get in my head sometimes.”
“Stop apologizing. No more of that. Barry Glick doesn’t apologize for who he is. Not to me. Not to anyone. Got it?”
I nodded, fire burning in my veins. Thorne was right, and I needed to man up. “Got it. Screw them. And screw everyone who thinks I’m a dork.”
“Now you’re talking!”
Chapter 5
BARRY
Istaredatmyselfin the mirror, thinking,This is as good as it gets.
The ancient button-down I wore just barely fit, but I figured it trumped my usual t-shirts. Only, I couldn’t find any pants to wear with it, so I paired it with my favorite joggers.
Unsure of whether the combo worked, I stared at myself a little longer, then shrugged. From the waist up, I could almost pass for a Royal.
My gaze flickered up to my face, and I pushed the glasses back on my nose.Well, the geek version of a Royal, anyway.Regardless, my appearance would have to suffice since I needed to be at the field in ten minutes and I had little else to wear.
Scarlett and Penelope had invited me to go with them straight after school to grab a milkshake and fries at Mary’s diner before the game, but I declined. I wanted to talk to Thorne and take time, no matter how small, to mentally prepare myself for seeing Ella. We hadn’t had a chem lab since her first day, and the rest of the week, she’d been so busy talking to Luca before and after class, I’d barely gotten a word in. Today, I finally had a stolen moment with her, and I told her I liked her teeth. I mean, who says that?I like your teeth.
I exhaled a deep breath and checked my phone. I’d texted Thorne a quick snapshot of my outfit for his approval, but so far, no response. Though I couldn’t blame him, considering he was currently on the set of his new movie, filming in Chicago. He’d already taken his lunch break to give me a pep talk. What more could I ask for? Instead, I’d have to settle for my only other option—my mom.
I grimaced at the thought and headed out of my bedroom into the kitchen, where she’d been prepping dinner, then halted in my tracks. Bat Man stood beside her at the stove, his arms wrapped around her waist.
My stomach churned like butter. Why was he always here? Lately, it felt like Mom and I were never alone, and though I knew it was selfish, a part of me missed it being just the two of us.
Bat Man leaned in and kissed Mom on the cheek. On the bright side, it made the daunting task of going out and socializing that much more palatable.If I had to witness any more affection, my stomach might revolt entirely and the turkey wrap I ate on the ride home from school might make a reappearance.
I cleared my throat to make my presence known, and Mom startled, spinning around at the sound, inadvertently knocking Bat Man’s hands from her waist in the process.
Point for Barry.
“Oh. Hi, honey.” Her gaze traveled down my body, making quick work of my appearance, and her forehead creased, which I took as a bad sign. “Going somewhere?”
I fought the urge to grimace, and instead shrugged like it was no big deal, even though it was a very big deal. I never went out. The only places I frequented were school and outings with Thorne on the rare occasion he was in town and not hanging solo with Scarlett. Otherwise, I usually holed up in my room.
