Chapter 146

I lift my eyebrows in surprise as Luca turns to stares at Jesse, appalled at the accusation. Jesse continues, either pretending not to notice or not caring.

“I mean,” Jesse says, turning his palm up as he talks it through, “unless I’m mistaken, you’ve never told her that you loved her before, right? At least not before last night. And now you’re throwing that word around a lot in a situation where you’re actively asking her for something. It might not be bullying, but it is a little manipulative.” Jesse grimaces and gives a shrug, and I can tell that he’s genuinely not happy to have to deliver the message.

But my jaw drops a little when I realize that….that Jesse’s kind of right on that one. Luca is pulling out the 1–word at the same moment when he’s asking me for something really big.

“I can’t believe you’re accusing me of not loving her, of saying that just because I want something –”

“We’re not accusing you of that,” Rafe says, his voice gentler now. “We’re just asking you to play fair, Luca. And to let her make her own decisions about what’s right for her. Even if that’s not what’s right for you.”

“So, you’re all going to take his side,” Luca snaps, drawing away from me now and standing up, clearly wanting a little space. “When obviously I am the better match for Ariel – I can handle her life as a Princess, I’m already your guys‘ best friend, I’m completely dedicated to supporting her through this Academy thing and have been for months. How can you not be on my side, after all of this!? We’re – we’re fucking friends!”