Chapter 11 KAI
ELEVEN
KAI
After spending most of the day in bed, I throw myself in the shower at a little after four.
My head throbs, not as bad as it did earlier, but still, the remnants of a hangover that wasn’t caused by alcohol alone.
No.
It’s the lack of sleep that killed me off; sitting up talking to your ex all night long in between hot, fervent kisses, isn’t recommended.
Especially when I’m still so fucking under her spell.
I should’ve let Crane talk me out of it, but the minute her fingertips touched mine, I was a goner.
Lorena is the only girl to have this effect on me, one I’m hoping I can either walk away from, or finally be the guy she wants.
Committing to her, and only her.
I’m not stupid, I know that’s what she wants, but at twenty, I’m not about to settle down.
Padding back into my room I catch sight of my reflection, knowing that the guy who stares back at me would settle with Lorena in a heartbeat.
But there’s another part of me that can’t.
What if I meet another girl, and she knocks me off my feet the way Lorena did?
Surely I’ve not met The One during my first week of college.
I can still remember the way my heart skipped when I saw her, the air leaving my lungs like I’d been winded.
The attraction was instant, and we’d slept with each other the same night we’d met.
Don’t think about the sex.
The memory of her pert titties bouncing in my face as she rode me last night sneaks into my mind like a demon, forcing me to remember every moment.
I’d told her I still loved her.
She’d told me to stop fighting it; what was I waiting for, someone better?
The idea is hilarious.
There’s no one more right for me than Lorena.
But it is too passionate between us; we’re too alike in that way. Both dominant, both fiery, needing to be in control at all times. She plays the game as well as I do, if not better, but I’m not sure settling down is right for either of us.
Crane’s gonna kick my ass.
I frown, checking the time on my phone.
Crane will be here any minute, and I’d better get my head out of my ass and get dressed.
The front door slams, and my best friend's footsteps sound on the stairs, just as I yank my boxers on.
“Alright?” I nod, reaching for a black t-shirt. No doubt we are gonna be going out for food or some shit—the sooner, the better according to my rumbling stomach.
Crane looks like shit, and he sinks down to my bed, a blank expression on his face.
“Crane?”
He doesn’t even look up at me, he just exhales, dropping his head into his hands.
I pause, my eyes running from him to the closet, and I decide it will be better to grab some pants before approaching Crane.
“What’s up?” I ask, letting my shirt fall over my waistband.
“I’ve left,” Crane mutters so quietly I’m unsure I’ve heard him right.
Crane's home life is shitty, as far as I know, but he’s always stayed for his mom.
“Huh?”
“I’ve left,” Crane repeats, pursing his lips together.
My stomach drops, and I instantly worry something has happened to his mom.
His dad is a drinker, and he gets handsy when he goes too far, which is every fucking weekend if history is anything to go by. I let my gaze sweep over Crane, and I notice the graze on his cheek and the bruise that’s forming under his left eye.
“Is your mom okay?” I ask, and he nods, his eyes closing as he exhales again.
“She’s told me to move to campus and said that the money she’s got will be enough…”
I cringe, knowing the money isn’t anywhere near enough.
The whole reason we’ve stayed at home is because I wasn’t leaving Crane, and he wasn’t in a position to leave his mom.
Sure, I could’ve shared with some random person, but Crane is like a brother to me. The college experience is something I can’t do without him, despite the long ass journeys there and back every damn day.
“I wondered if I could stay here for a few nights, just until I get my shit together.”
I’m nodding before he’s finished, eager for him to know I’ve got his back.
“You don’t have to ask,” I remind him, clearing my throat. “Mom and Dad won’t mind, and we can get the spare room set up. It’s full of Dad’s old shit anyway; it’s not like it’s being used.”
Crane nods gratefully, wincing as he rubs his cheek.
“Thanks, man. You know I appreciate it.”
I nod, wondering what this means for Crane going forward.
“Just don't ask me about last night,” I say, trying to lighten the mood with my fuck up.
Crane isn’t with it, his eyes glazing over with memories I know he won’t share with me.
“Sierra isn’t very well,” I continue, determined to get a reaction out of him. “Which we both know is bullshit. I saw her crumpled dress on the floor; she snuck out again.”
Crane nods, finally looking up at me.
“I’m sure she’s fine.”
“How was your night?” I ask, feeling guilty for leaving him. “At the party, I mean.”
Crane shrugs, staring at the floor.
“I got drunk. The end.”
“Sounds good.”
“It was alright.”
A silence fills the room as I point to the bedroom door.
“I’ll go speak to Mom. Help yourself to whatever you need.”
I leave him staring into space, just as Mom skips up the stairs with a pile of laundry in her hands.
“Kai.” Mom grins, handing me a small pile. “Here’s your laundry.”
“Mom.” I take the laundry, shoving it under my arm as Mom smiles at me, moving to Sierra’s room. She stops at the door, an eyebrow lifting expectantly. “Crane said things got bad at home. Can he stay here for a bit?”
Mom studies me with a sad expression, her eyes softening.
“Is he okay?”
I shuffle on my feet, nodding.
“Yeah he will be.”
Mom taps her finger on her chin before clicking her fingers.
“I’ll get the spare room set up.”
A rush of love flows through me for my mom, and I’m truly grateful for my family at that moment.
It must be pretty lonely to be alone, that's for sure, and I’ve a feeling my best friend is so used to it, he’s forgotten what normal feels like.