The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 170

“Nah,” he says, grimacing and starting to back out of the door, “I’m totally early –“

“Jacks!” I laugh, darting over to him and grabbing his arm, tugging him into the room. “Everyone will be here in like, thirty seconds. Just come and sit down – or, better yet, make yourself useful –“

I drag him over to the coffee table and shove a pen and paper into his hand.

“What am I supposed to do?” he mutters, staring at it.

“Just write that we’d like dinner sent up for two more,” I say, waving a hand at him as I continue to straighten up, setting pillows right and folding blankets. Jackson sighs dramatically but does as I say, heading over to the dumbwaiter with the note even as I marvel that he’s here at all.

I mean – I shouldn’t be that surprised that Jacksons’ here – I invite him to come over all the time. He’s gotten closer with Rafe and Jesse over the past two weeks during magic class, and I know that they like him. Plus, like Daphne, I suspect that he’s lonely and could use a night of fun.

I know that it will be awkward with Luca at first but – I mean, Luca’s going to have to get used to it too, eventually, isn’t he? I mean, I have to imagine that at some point…Luca and Jackson are going to like, know about each other. And I figure…the more used to each other they get now, the easier that will be?

Right?

I sigh, shaking my head, not wanting to think about that now as I put my hands on my hips, looking around the room.

“What’s next?” Jackson asks, walking slowly over to me, his hands in his pockets, just the touch of a smile gracing his lips.

I start to say something but then forget my words, captivated as I am by the sight of him – his broad shoulders, his strongly featured face, that long, straight nose. Instead of speaking, I just smile.

Jackson laughs at me, shaking his head. “Why do you do that?”

“Do what?” I cock my head to the side.

“You just stare at me sometimes,” he murmurs, stepping close.

“Well have you seen you?” I say, my eyes going wide as I take a long moment to look at him from head to toe. “You’re kind of a surprising specimen.”

“I am not,” he sighs, looking away from me and grinning nonetheless. “I’m just big, but you’re used to that, in the family you came from.”

“You’re more than just big, Jacks,” I say with a little sigh, drawing his eyes back to me. I smile at him again. “I’m really glad you came. You’re going to like Daphne.”

“Daphne?” he asks, the smile falling from his face.

“My friend!” I say, grinning anew and moving to the fire. “Didn’t I tell you she was coming? I figured that’s why you came – you’re probably sick of our faces, but you’ll get to meet someone new –“

“A girl!?” he asks, and I look up in surprise to see him looking towards the door with real anxiety on his face.

“Yesss,” I say slowly, watching him curiously. “Is that a…problem?”

Jackson spins his head back to me, his brow furrowed, but before he can say anything else the door opens again, Jesse and Ben coming through.

“Hey!” Ben calls, grinning between us. Jesse beams, crossing the room quickly and shaking Jackson’s hand, giving him a warm welcome and working very hard to make him feel at home.

“Wow,” Ben says, kneeling down by the fire with me and starting to hand me wood, “I can’t believe you finally got him here. To a social occasion. How long do you think before he bolts?”

“About five minutes,” I say, giving Ben a sad little look. “I just told him a girl is coming and he flipped.”

Ben bursts out laughing at this, shaking his head at me. “Oh, if he only knew that he’s been in the presence of one all this time.” I grin too, stacking the longs on the fire and speaking softly to Ben as I light a match.