Chasing Princess Charming (sample)

Chapter Two

I tried to make sense of Bailey's words, but then I reminded myself that I don't really give a fuck about what people think. Except for Jen, I don't think I really care about anyone. I don't even know what's so special about her. People come and go but I don't know why I stayed with her when I fucking pushed everyone away. Maybe it is her fragility. Her state of unspoken weakness that makes me feel needed. Or maybe because she is the only thing that reminds me of the warmth and love of the family I once had.

I looked up at Bailey and gave him a frown. "Just because I'm more creative than others in the manner that I dress... or that I don't let guys spin my head with their bull flatteries... doesn't mean I'm gay, right?"

Jen and I have been best friends since high school. When I came to town to live with my father, after my mother and her life partner died in a car crash, Jen was the first friend I had. She accepted me for who I am—with all my quirks and weirdness. She was there when I was dealing with the pain of losing the most important people in my life—my mother and her partner, Isabella Offner.

Back then, my pain turned me into a mess. I was on the brink of quitting school and going over the wrong side of the tracks. Jen and her parents helped straighten me back up.

Now that her parents' marriage was at a breaking point, and she may not be strong enough to handle the pain that goes with a broken home, I have to be there for her. I have to protect her.

I picked up my phone and sent her a text message: Good morning.

My phone rang and I smiled when I saw her name on the screen.

"Morning, Gracie," I answered lazily.

"I have something to tell you!" Her voice was overflowing with excitement.

"Sounds like you could not wait for me to wake up to deliver the news." Maybe her parents decided to kiss and make up. Nothing would make her happier than that. "How are the folks?"

Silence on the other line and I bolted up on my bed as I heard a sob.

"Jen?"

Shit! How could I be so stupid?

She took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. It's been one week since my dad last came home."

"It's okay, Jen," I said. "He's just on a business trip. You know he works hard."

Yeah, right! I'd be damned if I ever believe that.

"You promise, Ken?"

I crossed my fingers and replied, "I promise. Now, what was the good news supposed to be?"

"Last night, at the bar. I ran into an old schoolmate, Nicky Atkins." She sounded cheerful once again.

I haven't had my daily dose of caffeine yet but needless to say, I was wide awake now.

Who the hell is Nicky Atkins?

"A-and?"

"I have not seen him in, like, a decade. He's still as dreamy as he used to be. Maybe even dreamier!"

I could actually imagine her face: big stupid smile and stars in her eyes.

"D-did you talk to him?" I asked.

"Yes! He still remembers me. He just got back in town after studying abroad," she replied. "Oh, Ken! He's so smoking hot! I couldn't stop thinking about him last night."

"You did not mention him last night," I said.

"I didn't want to jinx it. He asked for my number and I thought, you know, he would never call. Nicky always had a line of girls craving for his attention."