Chapter 5
FIVE
SIERRA
Ihelp Mom with the table and then sneak upstairs to check my phone.
KIKI: Partyyyyyyy timeeeee
KIKI: Sierraaaaaaa!
KIKI: SIERRAAAAAAAA!
KIKI: Bitch, you better answer me!
KIKI: I’m so lonely.
I snort with laughter, sitting on the edge of my bed as my fingers fly across the screen. A shadow falls across my floor, and I look up to find Declan grinning at me.
“Hey, sorry, I’m looking for the bathroom.”
I arch my brow at him, glancing around my room.
“Do you see it?”
“No, but—”
I lift my hand up, cutting him off.
“Bye then.”
Declan inhales, whistling through his teeth as he studies me.
I type back to Kiki, rolling my eyes when he doesn’t move.
SIERRA: Where? When? Dinner is almost over.
I drop my phone beside me, pouting my lips together as Declan steps backward.
“I think we got off on the wrong foot.” He pushes his hands into his pockets, and I’m struck once more by how handsome he is.
Damn my hormones.
“No, I’m quite sure the impression I have of you is perfectly correct,” I reply sweetly, examining my nails. “Why are you still in my bedroom?”
Declan chuckles, stepping forward when I hear a voice call my name.
“Sierra? You up there, honey?”
Mom.
I place my phone back on my desk, moving past Declan who smells fucking delicious.
But he’s a prick.
“Hey, Sierra,” he mumbles, catching my fingers in his.
I jump back like I’ve been electrocuted, my eyes flashing.
“What? Don’t touch me, you creep.”
“Creep? Nah, I’m not a creep. Girls like you beg. Eventually.”
I gape at him, the hairs on my neck standing up when he smirks at me, a scar above his eyebrow making him appear more menacing than he is.
“This girl won’t.” I laugh at him, throwing my hair over my shoulder as footsteps thunder on the stairs.
Who the fuck does he think he is?!
“Sierra, your mom wants you,” a deep voice commands, a wave of calm washing over me when I nod, turning to see Crane glaring at Declan. “I thought you needed the bathroom.”
Declan clicks his fingers, nodding at Crane like he’s just discovered the cure for diabetes.
“That’s right, I must've got distracted.”
Crane’s eyes darken as I pass him on the stairs, avoiding Declan’s lingering gaze I can feel all over my body.
Who knew? Kai was right for once.
Declan Hale is a prick.
Crane follows me down the stairs, his fingers gripping my wrist as he pulls me into the study, plunging us both into darkness.
“You can’t be alone with that dick, Sierra! Don’t play your games with him, do you understand me?”
I yank my arm back, stepping closer to him.
His intoxicating scent wraps around me, and when he huffs with exasperation, his minty breath makes me ache with longing.
Wait, what?
“I get it, Crane, I’m not a complete idiot. Why do you smell like mints?”
Crane chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck as I turn toward the door.
“After-dinner mints, I guess.”
“Huh. I best go and find some,” I mutter, walking away,
“Here,” Crane offers, holding out a packet. “I have some left.”
In the dark, I see him holding something out, and I realise it’s a packet of mints. Popping two into my mouth, I groan, tasting the scent that Crane practically owns.
“Thanks.”
“I mean it, Sierra. Keep away from Declan.”
I roll my eyes, but it’s pointless, and I hand the mints back to him.
“Sure thing, minty.”
Heading back into the hall, I see my brother leaning against the doorway, beer in hand.
“Little chat in the dark, hmm?”
My cheeks flush as I go to argue, but Crane slips out of the study, almost walking into me.
“Uh, bro, I was just telling Sierra to keep away from—” Crane begins, nodding toward the stairs where Declan is jogging down.
“Me, I think. Am I right?”
I storm past Kai, not wanting to be part of this. Mom looks up at me through glassy eyes and pats the sofa beside her.
“Come and have some wine with us, sweetheart. Only one more glass, though.”
Jeez.
If my mother knew how much I could pack away, she’d probably pass out.
Declan and Kai re-enter the room, scowling at one another, followed by Crane who avoids my gaze.
Seriously, what is with all this testosterone tonight?
The conversation dries up, and the oldies decide to call it a night.
Mr. Hale taps my ass lightly when he kisses me goodnight, and Declan barely pays me any attention before he leaves.
Mom and Dad are three sheets to the wind and take themselves into the conservatory to continue their drinking.
Which means I can sneak away.
“Night, Mom; night Dad,” I call out, sailing past Kai and Crane who look at me dubiously. “Night, guys.”
“You’re going to sleep? It’s barely eleven,” Crane points out, exchanging a glance with a disbelieving Kai.
“Well, I’m a growing girl, and I’m tired. What can I say?”
Kai folds his arms, flicking his head back to get the floppy blond locks out of his eyes.
“We’re off soon. I better not see you out, Sierra. I’m not looking after you again all night.”
I fake yawn and lift my hand to my chest.
“I promise.”
Crane looks away, but I can still taste his mints on my tongue, and I can’t help but wonder if that’s how it would feel to kiss him.
Ask Liza, my brain suggests helpfully, and I gag in response.
I pick up my phone to find two text messages, one from Kiki, telling me where to get a cab to, and one from an unknown number.
UNKNOWN: This is my number because you know you want it. Declan.
Ohmyfuckinggod!