The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0238

“Because!” Jackson bursts out, tossing out his hands. “It’s Luca fucking Grant, Jesse! Even I had heard of him, and I haven’t heard of anyone! And he’s…he’s good with women! And he can talk to her, and make her laugh! And he’s like…good looking, or whatever! How the hell am I supposed to compete with that!?”

Jesse stares at Jackson for a long moment before a slow grin starts on his face.

Jackson scowls, hating him a little bit. “What?” he snaps. “What are you smiling about? Are you laughing at me? Seriously!?”

“I’m not laughing at you, Jacks,” Jesse says, shaking his head but continuing to smile. “It’s just you have no idea what you have going on, do you? This bridge you grew up under, did

–

it not have a mirror?”

Jackson just stares at Jesse for a long moment before he cocks his head. Because…was that a… compliment? Hidden beneath all of those insults?

“Listen,” Jesse says, reaching an arm around Jackson’s shoulders and pulling him close like he’s sharing a deep secret, “I’m going to speak plainly, so pay attention – because this doesn’t happen often. But Jackson – women like you.”

can women like me – I

know any women

They’re going to like you. Like, a lot – in a romance kind of way. They’re going to like you as much as they like Luca, or more. But none of that matters, because Ariel really likes you, man! Despite all the odds, and in a way that I truly do not get – you make her laugh,

laugh. Jesse’s grin deepens. “Luca Grant doesn’t have anything you don’t,” Jesse continues. “Okay? So…stop acting like it’s a done deal. I had to stop Ariel from chasing you out of that room tonight and leaving Luca Grant behind. That is…not insignificant, Jacks. And

back into Jesse’s face,

so flippant, so

this

does he know precisely the

here for you, man,” Jesse says, tightening his arm and giving Jackson’s shoulders a squeeze. “I’ll even give you a pep talk every day,

Jackson asks, baffled about why Jesse is being so damn nice to him right

arm in playful frustration. “Because you’re my friend, even if you don’t yet

asks, smiling a little more and shaking his

from Jackson’s shoulders. Jacks…you seriously need some therapy. I like you because you’re a good guy, and you’re interesting, and you’re…well, you’re so weird that you make me laugh even when you don’t mean to. And also because you’re obsessed with my

mate?” Jackson’s voice is so hesitant that it

you weren’t,” Jesse murmurs with a smirk, working hard to hide his impulse to wrap Jackson in a bear hug. “Because now I have to worry about walking in on you guys making out and stuff, which is…not ideal for a friendship.”

he nods once, decided. Then, to Jesse’s shock, het starts to stride away, a new confidence in the set