Chapter 12 SIERRA
TWELVE
SIERRA
There’s zero fucking hope of getting any sleep during the day here.
My mom is vacuuming in the room beside mine—also known as Dad’s shithole.
Seriously, he dumps anything and everything in there and forgets he’s even got it; once, he bought the same football shirt twice because somehow the brand new one he’d already bought made it into that room.
It’s like a black hole.
So why can I hear Mom vacuuming?
Deep voices fill the hallway, and I sit up, recognising Crane’s straightaway.
Any minute now, my door will open, and Kai will be in my grill about Jaden…and I really can’t be bothered with it.
My phone alerts me to a call with an annoying song; one Kiki had clearly set without me knowing.
Kiki, do you love me…
Drake.
I sing along with it for a second before answering with a giggle.
“You were singing it, weren’t you?” Kiki demands with glee. “I told you you loved me.”
I roll out of bed, stretching my arms into the air before moving the phone back to my ear.
“Of course I love you.”
“Yeah? How much?”
I open my bedroom door, glaring at the direction of the vacuum.
“Why? What do you want?” I stand in the hallway, contemplating whether to grab food or tell Mom off for waking the dead.
AKA, me.
“I need your advice.”
I lift an eyebrow, leaning over the banister.
Kiki needs my advice?
Interesting.
“Go on.”
“I’ve kind of agreed to go on a fucking date, and I haven’t got a clue how to act, what to wear—”
I almost drop my phone.
“A date?” I practically scream, aware this is Kiki breaking her main rule.
Kiki doesn’t date.
We don’t date!
“But we don’t date!” I continue, gripping a chunk of my hair with dismay. “How can I help you when I have zero experience with—”
As I stroll down the hallway, my eyes move to the room Mom’s in, and I frown, backtracking.
“Kiki, let me call you back.”
“What?! Absolutely not. If you hang up—”
I cut the call.
Mom is making up the bed, and the room is bare of any clutter.
The window is open, and she’s emptying the closet of what little clothes there are left.
“Is Dad dead?” I laugh, my fingers resting on the doorframe.
Mom looks at me with exasperation, shaking her head.
“Can you put some clothes on?”
“Huh?”
Mom’s acting weird.
“Wendy—”
Mom glares at me, putting one finger up to silence me, an action that surprisingly still works.
“Mom, thank you. Not Wendy. You’re not my buddy.”
I roll my eyes, knowing I’m asking for a tongue lashing.
“Seriously, what’s with the room?”
“Sis, put some clothes on.”
I whirl around, ready to rip the fuck out of Kai.
How dare he tell me to get dressed? I’m in my own home!
“Actually, I’ll wear what I like. What’s with you two?” I retort, watching as Crane pokes his head around Kai’s bedroom door.
Those eyes.
I find myself doing a double take at the sadness in his eyes, but he stares past me, ignoring me completely.
“We have a guest, Sierra,” Mom huffs, carrying a bunch of clothes into her room. “You can’t walk around like that.”
I’m a hot ball of fuck you, when Mom smiles widely at Crane.
Is she being serious?
Crane is the guest they’re referring to?
“God, Mom, it’s only Crane. He doesn’t care what I wear. I’m like his kid sister!”
Kai looks amused, but Mom shakes her head at me, pursing her lips.
“Crane is going to be staying with us for a while. This is going to be his room.”
My head whips around to Crane who continues to glare at the floor, his jaw clenching.
What’s happened?
I want to reach out and hug him again, to check he’s okay, anything rather than watch his heart break in real time.
“Oh,” is all I say, and I stare down at my pants and skimpy tank.
Maybe this is inappropriate then.
Crane must sense my internal dilemma somehow, because he interrupts my thoughts with his husky voice.
“It’s cool, Sierra. Don’t sweat it,” Crane mumbles, avoiding my gaze.
He looks super pissed now.
“Who’s going on a date?” Mom asks, pausing to take a breath.
“What?”
“Your phone. Earlier, you said something about a date?” Mom nods at the phone in my hand.
Kai raises his eyebrows quizzically, but Crane doesn’t even blink.
What’s he thinking about?
My brother follows my gaze, and my cheeks flare with colour.
Now he’ll think I’m checking him out.
“Yeah, Kiki. I better call her back.”
I go back into my room, leaning against the door as I dial my best friend.
“You are so rude. Honestly, if you’d have been anyone else, Sierra, I’d have ditched your ass by now,” Kiki answers my call with the dramatic air I’ve come to expect from her.
“Sorry, who’s your date with?” I ask, trying to show some interest.
I’m really not with it.
I knew Crane had a tough home life, but him moving in here?
“Gregory. But that’s not all, sweets.” Kiki clears her throat. “It’s a double date, and you’re coming with me.”
A harsh laugh escapes my mouth as I tug on some joggers, tossing the shorts to the floor.
Like hell am I going on any kind of date. I’d rather just treat it like it is—hooking up. I’m not one of these girls that dreams of a big white wedding or anything ridiculous.
I just like getting laid, on my terms.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not going on any date, so you can cancel that right now.” I head back outside, ignoring the boys who are both watching me with interest.
“Date?” Kai calls after me, cupping his hands around his mouth. “Who with?”
I shoot him a look that only seems to heighten his curiosity, before Kiki chuckles.
“You’ll like it. It’s Jaden.”
“What? But you know we aren’t like that…” I groan, opening the fridge and examining the contents.
Mom has been shopping, and I think nothing of devouring the fruit salad that’s chopped up, unable to resist it.
Offer me an apple and I’ll decline.
Chop it up and offer it to me, and I’m down.
I spot the Nutella jar, and a wicked smile fills my face.
Fruit and Nutella. Perfect.
“Yeah, but he likes you. You left him high and dry last night, so…” Kiki’s voice fades as Kai walks into the room, grimacing at me dunking an apple slice into the Nutella jar.
I make a face at him, wondering how I’ll be able to get away with dating one of his buddies without him knowing.
Fuck.
“I don’t like dates.”
“Who’s it with?” Kai yawns, no longer caring that I’m on the phone. I glance at the door as Crane joins us.
“Kiki, let me call you back. Kai is here.”
Kiki sucks in a breath.
“Eek. Okay. Just don’t tell him if he starts.”
“Mmm-hmm.” I sigh, ending the call.
Both guys are staring at me, and Crane has this look on his face that tells me he isn’t remotely interested in who I’m dating, but that he’s backing my brother up.
“Kiki is going on a date with Gregory.” I watch as the boys burst into laughter.
I’m not sure why that’s amusing, but Kai soon enlightens me.
“Gregory with a senior? Why do you think he’s taking her on a date?”
Crane glances away, and I frown.
“Sorry, what? Are college boys too good for seniors?” I place my hands on my hips as Kai chuckles.
“No, that’s not what I said. I said Gregory with a senior, you know? There’s only one thing he’s interested in, and once he’s got it, he’ll be dumping her like a hot potato.”
I’m furious.
“Based on what, Kai? That may be how you are, but not everyone's the same.”
I’m trembling, but Kai only laughs harder.
“No, but guys like Gregory don’t go back for seconds. Kiki is easy, and he knows it.”
That’s it.
I snap.
“Well, just so you know, Kai, I’m going on the date too, with Jaden.”
Kai’s laughter stops, and he shakes his head in disbelief.
“Now I know you’re fucking with me.”
Crane winces as he drops his head into his hands.
“No, I’m not. That’s who the other guy is, and I’m going. Your theory is bullshit, by the way,” I throw over my shoulder, avoiding the warning glare Crane is giving me. “Because Jaden still wants to see me, all of the time.”
I can’t help but smile at the look on my brother's face as I dial Kiki’s number.
“What time and where, girl?”
Fucking men.