Royal Rebel: A Second Chance Romantic Comedy by JJ Knight

Author:JJ Knight [Knight, JJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-06-12T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 22

Finley

Gregor avoids me again all afternoon. I’m feeling done with him by the time I get to my shower and dinner with Mom.

Hopefully Octavia is the same. Done with Gregor.

Mom slides a plate of fried sandwiches in front of me. “Did you have a good time last night?”

It all flashes by. The tall angel. Octavia on the roof. Kisses. Drinking. Dancing. The punch in the face.

“It was all right.”

She peers at my cheek and lifts my chin. “What happened here?”

“Got roughed up during training.”

She nods. “That’ll get you tough.”

My phone buzzes. I want to ignore it, but Tallest Angel flashes on my screen. Mom’s sharp eyes catch it.

“Tallest Angel, huh? That doesn’t sound like one of the guys.”

Damn it.

“Yeah. Someone from last night.”

That perks her up. “Someone interesting?”

“She’s probably not for me.”

She points at the phone, which buzzes a second time. “She doesn’t think so.”

I need to leave my phone in my room during dinner.

After the third buzz, Mom says, “It’s not very gentlemanly to keep her waiting.”

I take a bite of fried ham and cheese and unlock the phone to see what Octavia is saying.

Tallest Angel: Gregor is ghosting me!

Tallest Angel: Did he say anything to you?

Tallest Angel: It’s because I was all cold at lunch, isn’t it?

Mom glances away when I snatch up the phone so the messages can’t be read. The lunch part would tell her it’s someone in the palace.

Me: He’s struggling. He wants to protect you.

Tallest Angel: I knew it! So why won’t he write me back?

Me: What have you been saying?

Tallest Angel: I want to meet him for a moment, like I did with you! Surely he can do that?

Me: Maybe. He’s not in the palace.

Tallest Angel: Right. In the barracks. Can you get me to the barracks? I can sneak out once my night guard comes.

Oh, boy.

Me: The barracks aren’t safe for keeping secrets. They’re all guards. Plus, they’ll recognize you for sure.

Tallest Angel: Well, poo.

I read the line while picturing Octavia as a six-year-old. I almost laugh, and Mom smiles to herself while averting her eyes. She’s definitely getting the wrong impression.

Tallest Angel: Can we go back to the bar?

Me: Is that a good idea?

Tallest Angel: I want to go somewhere! Meet me at the tall angel in three hours!

I want to say no. That it’s too risky. That Gregor won’t come again.

But I also want to see her.

Me: Okay.

Tallest Angel: Yay!

I set down the phone, ready to focus on the meal with my mother.

“So, that was quite an exchange.” She lifts her water glass and watches me over the rim.

“Yeah.”

“You going to see her?”

“Looks like it.”

“Tonight?”

“Yes, in a bit.”

“Don’t stay out too late.”

“I’ll be careful.”

Great. Now I have a hopeful mom as well as an over-exuberant princess. This is a real mess.

I leave early to take the walk through town to the abbey. I cut back and forth along the streets, looking back, wondering if I’ll catch Octavia and see how she’s escaping the palace.

Once again, it’s late enough that the restaurants and shops are closed.

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