“Look, Sloane, I am going to be late for practice, and you continually coming to my house or places that you think I’ll be is just draining at this point.” My front door was cracked open just enough to let me speak to her, but I kept the lock chain connected. I knew how she was.

“You act like you have an option here. I can make one call to my parents and your grandfather will have your ass. The time for your silly little games is over.” There she went making threats again, thinking her family had real sway over mine.

Maybe it did. Maybe it didn’t. I never tested her like this. “Making threats isn’t how you get cooperation.” That was a lie. It was definitely how I got cooperation.

What I meant was making threats doesn’t bode well for romantic partners, but my point was still made from the look on her face. She would get wrinkles too quickly from how oftenshe twisted her face up like that.

Botox would start early for her if it hadn’t already.

“It’s the only way you’ll listen to me.” She crossed her arms, her too small purse falling off her shoulder and down her arm. That looked like it angered her even more for some odd reason.

When Slone didn’t get her way...everyone needed to prepare for a toddler-esque temper tantrum.

Did I mention how much I hated the elitists?

“No.” I rubbed my face and sighed. “You must be thinking of your other boy toy.”

She leaned up to the door frame to bat her eyes at me. The softening of her face looked better than the twisted expression. “Don’t you worry. My daddy will convince you.”

Thank God she left.

“Who was at the door?” Josh, one of my buddies who lived here, walked out into the kitchen freshly out of bed.

I poured myself a cup of coffee, needing the caffeine. “Just a girl who can’t take a hint.”

“Lady killer,” he laughed.

“Lady avoider,” I mumbled.

He held up a carton of eggs. “Want some?”

“Sure.”

“So, what’s up with the lady avoidance? Never knew you to turn down pussy.” He turned to me after setting up the stove, eyes wide. “Are you going monogamous?”

I waved him off, diving back into the cup of bitter coffee. “Nah. Sloane’s just a level ten clinger.”

“I don’t know, man. I wouldn’t cross her.”

“Yeah, yeah. I have other shit to worry about.”

“Like?”

Like the info I discovered about Fallon. Like the quest I sent Reaper on. Like the overwhelming number of rats that kept popping up. “Work and shit. My grandfather has me working more than ever and keeping up with baseball and classes.” The classes part was a lie, but everyone made the same comment.

“What’s it like to be the grandson of the richest man since ever?”