Flashback ( PDFDrive )

“Yes, well, I’ve never felt youth should be an excuse,” Keefe’s father
interrupted.
Alden’s jaw tightened, and the quick glance he stole at Lord
Cassius’s hand made Sophie wonder if he realized how hard Keefe’s
father was squeezing.
“Why don’t you come to Everglen tonight?” Alden suggested.
“Della’s been planning quite the celebration, and—”
“Perhaps another time.” Lord Cassius turned to pull Keefe away.
But Alden grabbed Keefe’s shoulder and leaned down to whisper,
“I’m very proud of you, Keefe. I want you to know that.”
Oh wow, Sophie thought as Keefe’s head erupted with a hundred
different emotions.
Yeah, Keefe said quietly. No one had ever told me that before, so . . .
And your dad felt it, she realized. Since he had his hand wrapped around
your wrist.
Pretty much. And you saw how happy he was about it.
Fitz muttered something under his breath that didn’t sound like a
very nice word—and Sophie felt like doing the same.
You okay over there, Fitzy? Keefe asked. Your moods keep shifting on
me.
I’m fine. I’m just . . . trying to understand why you never told me about
any of this once we became best friends. You could’ve said something.
I know. Keefe shifted his weight. The thing is . . . talking about it made
it real. And I didn’t want it to be real. I wanted to pretend my life was as
perfect as yours.
My life isn’t perfect, Fitz argued.
Maybe not. But it’s pretty close, dude. I mean, yeah, Alvar’s a creep—but
you still have your dad. And your mom. And Biana. And you’re still the top