Chapter 4
FOUR
SIERRA
Ifinish lining my lips with the dark-pink lip liner, dabbing a bit of gloss to my bottom lip before pressing my lips together, making sure it's evenly distributed.
Leaning back in my chair, I huff out a breath of annoyance when I hear Crane’s voice from downstairs.
He’s here.
As gorgeous as he is, he looks down on me with that irritating smirk, thinking I’m just a kid despite me only being two years younger than him.
It didn’t stop him with Liza, my brain reminds me, forcing me to flatten my palms on the dresser with frustration.
I think back to Crane’s response about Jaden and me, and I can’t help but feel disappointed.
Crane didn’t give a shit.
“Sierra! Come down please!” Mom calls in that fake sing-songy voice she uses whenever anyone is around.
“Coming!” I yell back, rising to examine myself in the full-length mirror.
I’m wearing another dress, but this is a tad more conservative than my daytime one. It clings to my curves perfectly, though, so I don’t mind the below knee-length. My hair is swept into a side part, falling around my shoulders like a veil.
I grab my phone, hesitating before sliding it back on my dresser.
Dad has a no phone policy at the table when we have guests, so that’s that.
The scent of roasted meat fills the house, and my stomach rumbles in response.
Crane and Kai are lounging on the sofa when I pass them, heading straight for the kitchen.
“Glass of wine?” Mom smiles, her eyes sweeping over my dress approvingly. “Oh, Sierra. You look stunning, doesn’t she, Andy?”
My dad pops his head around the door, his blue eyes twinkling.
“She always does, don’t you, poppet?”
I take the small glass of wine from my mom, lifting it in my dad's direction.
He grins back at me, his chest puffing out with pride.
“Thanks for being here tonight, sweetie. I know it’s not cool being with your parents on a Saturday night, but this is important to me.”
I kiss his cheek, waving him off.
“It’s okay, Dad. I’ve got to study tomorrow anyway.”
“That’s my girl.”
I did have to study; that wasn’t a lie.
But it is the weekend—and my brother pooped my party last night, meaning I’m facing another week at school before I get a chance to relax again.
I sip my wine, gazing out of the French doors that overlook our pretty garden, and smile contentedly.
I love my life.
I turn to see Kai watching me from the doorway, the look on his face telling me I’m in for a cautionary talk.
Here we go.
“Sierra, don’t even think about Declan Hale,” Kai warns, crossing his arms to enforce the point.
Is he serious?
Declan is six foot and gorgeous, all floppy brown hair and a jawline to die for. He went to a different school than us, and for some reason, this means my brother hates him.
“Kai, he might be a nice guy,” I argue, sipping my wine. My lips leave a stain on the glass, and I make a mental note to drink from the same spot next time.
Kai stares heavenward as Crane strolls in, wearing one of my brother’s shirts. It’s the same colour as his eyes, and I can’t help but check him out.
“Listen to Kai, Sierra. The guy is a dick.”
Crane studies me over his beer, and I return his gaze, eyeing the way his fingers wrap around the beer bottle he’s holding.
I love guys with nice hands, especially the thick veins and soft skin. Crane’s are no exception.
“Whatever. It may have escaped your attention, but this is going to be a boring dinner, and I for one intend to enjoy it.”
Crane turns away, shaking his head in disbelief.
Here he goes again with that disapproving attitude.
Fuck him, I don’t owe him anything.
Kai scowls at me when the doorbell rings, folding his arms across his chest as Crane leans against the doorway.
I take a minute to check him out, and my heart flutters like it usually does around hot guys, but then Crane stiffens, and I know Declan has arrived.
I hear my parents greeting the Hales at the door, and I wink at Kai, nudging him in the ribs.
“I dare you to call him Stales.”
Kai chuckles, shaking his head with amusement. “If you want entertainment, you can watch me knock Declan out.”
“Pfft. You wouldn’t; Dad would kill you. Anyway,” I can’t help but notice Crane turning his attention to me, his eyes narrowing, “what has Declan ever done to you?”
Crane snorts, rolling his eyes at me.
“He’s from Ryder High, and we’ve played him a few times. He plays dirty, and he’s an arrogant fuck.”
I open my mouth to respond when Kai smiles. My mother floats in, all smiles and wine, her eyes wide.
“Best behaviour, you two. This is—”
“Important to Dad, we know,” I finish for her, craning my neck to see Declan.
Like he knows what I’m doing, Crane sighs, pushing past me to grab the seat nearest to Declan, winking at me as he sits down.
Why?! I shout at him mentally, but realise I’m sitting across from Declan, which gives me a better view.
In fact, the view before me of Crane and Declan is enough to send a girl hot.
Declan pauses mid-conversation, nodding briefly at Crane before turning his attention to me.
And what attention it is.
His hair is swept back, his electric-blue eyes boring into mine before he licks his lips. His eyes sweep down my body, lingering on the hemline of my dress.
"That dress is a little tight for dinner with our parents, don't you think?" His tone is light, but his eyes aren't.
Who the fuck does this guy think he is?
Heat flares in my cheeks. "Like I give a shit what you think."
"If you say so." His electric-blue eyes stare into mine before he licks his lips. "Sierra, right?"
Crane leans back in his chair, turning to make a face at Declan.
“Put your tongue away, man. She’s off limits,” Kai snaps, slumping into the seat beside me, opposite Crane.
Declan lifts a brow, a playful smile on his lips as he nods thoughtfully.
“Off limits, huh? Sounds fun.”
A shiver of excitement runs through me as I flush, his words promising me that tonight might not be as boring as I originally thought.
Kai glares at him as Mom comes in, placing delicious plates of meat on the table, complete with garlic roasted potatoes, honey roasted carrots and parsnips, oodles of cauliflower with cheese, and countless boats of gravy.
“You’ve outdone yourself, hasn’t she, Mary?” Mr. Hale booms, glancing over at me. “Wow, a miniature Wendy! Look at you.”
All eyes turn to me, and I smile politely, aware of a foot stroking mine beneath the table so softly I wonder if it’s an innocent brush.
“Yep.” I smile, glancing at Crane and Declan who give nothing away.
Crane is staring out of the window, deep in thought, and Declan is looking at his dad, nodding in agreement.
The foot strokes my leg, and I move my leg forward, pressing against it so I can gauge the reaction of its owner.
“Eighteen now, aren’t you? Off to college soon then?” Mr. Hale continues, forking a mountain of potato into his mouth as my parents look at me with pride.
“She’s on track for the best grades—if she keeps her head down, that is.” Dad lifts a brow at me, and I smile back.
No pressure then.
“Is that so? What are you interested in, girlie?”
Girlie?
I wince at his choice of words, wondering if I should tell him the truth.
Nah, fuck it.
Let’s have some fun.
“I’m not sure; I thought sewing or cooking, something useful.”
My mom turns, a thin smile on her face, her eyes flashing at me.
“Fine choice,” Mr. Hale responds, smacking his lips together. “You could work in a hotel; they usually need waitresses and housekeepers. Then again, you need not go to college if that’s your ambition.”
Is he fucking serious?
Crane rests his head on his hand, massaging his forehead with four fingers as I snort with laughter.
“So what did you think of the shipment from Japan?” Dad cuts in, glaring at me.
Mr. Hale takes the bait, and Mrs. Hale sends me an apologetic smile.
“What about you, Declan?” Mom asks, reaching for her wine.
Declan leans back in his chair, revealing a broad chest and toned arms.
“I’m going into business. Like my old man.”
I tune out of the conversation, itching to get upstairs to check my phone.
“Told you,” Kai mutters in my ear. “Cunts.”
I try to keep a straight face, but then the wandering foot returns, and this time Declan holds my gaze.
“You could work for me. Pretty girls always help with business deals.”
Alright, who does this dick think he is? I may be hot for him, but right now, he’s proving to be just as chauvinistic as his pig of a father.
“Actually, I was kind of hoping to marry a rich guy and sit at home all day getting my nails done, and working on my tan.” I wave my hand, retracting my legs beneath my chair. “General airhead shit.”
Declan nods, but his gaze isn’t on my face, nor are his ears hearing a word I’m saying.
“Rich, huh?”
Crane stares daggers at me, and I ignore him, chewing on my beef thoughtfully.
“And handsome,” I add, swallowing my food. “Yeah. Rich and handsome.”
Declan leans forward, his eyes fixing on mine.
“Sounds like you and me might be right up each other’s street.”
I force a smile onto my face, turning my attention to my brother who is grinning beside me.
“Should one of us go and light the fire? We’ll need some warmth tonight.”
Kai smirks, and Declan frowns with confusion.
“Fire?”
“Yes,” I half whisper, leaning across the table. “I’ve been knitting a beautiful patchwork quilt to help keep the cold at bay, but you know how harsh the winters are here. A woman has to do what a woman has to do.”
The light dawns in Declan’s eyes as he shakes his head.
“You’re fucking with me.”
I glare at him momentarily before returning my attention to my dinner.
“Did I say something to upset you?” Declan asks, his eyes falling to my lips. “I didn’t mean to.”
“Not at all.” Kai grins, wrapping his arm around me. “Sierra loves it when someone questions women’s rights and abilities. That’s why she wants to be a lawyer. Advocating for women and all.”
Declan purses his lips together, shooting an uncomfortable look at his parents.
“Being a lesbian helps,” I remark, fluttering my eyelashes at Declan. “Men just don’t understand me.”
“Sierra, that’s enough,” Mom hisses, glaring at me. “Can we just have one dinner where you don’t play games?”
To my surprise, Declan chuckles, waving his hand dismissively.
“Au contraire,” Declan says with a grin. “I love games.”
Our eyes lock, and something tells me that Declan Hale seems interested in me, despite me mocking him.
Very interested indeed.