Chapter 24 Crane
TWENTY-FOUR
CRANE
Kai is the only reason I’ve come back to this godforsaken town. Well, at least that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Nothing to do with a certain blonde…
Anyway…
It’s been five years, but everything looks the same as it did when I left, including my best bud.
“It’s good to see you, man.” Kai hugs me tight, whistling as he slaps my arms. “What did you spend five years doing—lifting weights?”
“Something like that,” I chuckle, glancing around us. “Can’t believe I’m back.”
Kai grins at me, his excitement upon seeing me infectious.
“It’s so fucking good to see you. Thank you for coming.”
“It’s your wedding, bro. You know I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Kai nods, licking his lips as he does.
“How’s your mom?”
“She’s doing great. Leaving here saved her life.”
We order some food and beers, and Kai fills me in on his proposal to Lorena, trying to update me on everything I’ve missed over the years.
It’s a lot to take in, but my best friend is doing well for himself.
“It’s nine-to-five, nothing as exciting as what you do, but it pays well,” Kai says enviously. “You’re covered in tattoos. Who did them?”
“All kinds of people, some names I can’t even remember,” I admit. “How’s your family?”
Kai shakes his head as he studies me, a sad look on his face.
“They’ve missed you.”
Part of me still carries immense guilt for leaving them without saying goodbye. They’d been so good to me.
The silence weighs heavily between us until I exhale.
“I know. I feel fucking terrible, man.”
Kai makes a face.
“You did what you had to do. I never told a soul why you left, but my parents knew you’d taken off with your mom.”
My stomach twists at the mention of his parents, my mind moving to my father. Like he’s read my mind, Kai shakes his head.
“He didn’t die, Crane.”
My head snaps up, my heart hammering in my throat at those four words.
Four words I’d waited to hear for so long.
Cradling my head in my hands, I feel Kai’s hand on my arm.
“No one has seen him for years.”
“But he didn’t die?” I whisper, lifting my eyes to his.
Kai shakes his head.
“I only know because Mom said she heard he’d moved out of town recently. But, you know what women are like, gossips—the lot of them.”
The thought of my father walking around without a care in the world makes me want to smash my fist into his teeth. The only thing that kept me sane all this time was the thought of him being dead.
My mother still thinks she is a murderer.
Fuck.
“You okay, man?” Kai checks, leaning back when the food arrives.
Despite the flight, I’ve got no appetite, but I pick at the fries just so my fingers have something to do.
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m good.” I nod at him, not wanting to dull what should be an otherwise happy time.
“Sierra’s a teacher.”
I knew I’d have to hear her name today, but I didn’t expect it to hurt so fucking bad.
“Is she?” I smile, hoping my best friend can’t see through me. “Good for her.”
Kai nods, his mouth full of food.
“Yeah, it’ll be good for everyone to see you. You’re staying with us, right?”
“If that’s still okay. I’m cool if not; I can grab a hotel—”
Kai reaches out to grab my arm, shaking his head.
“No way, man. You’re my best man. My buddy. It’s so fucking good to see you.”
“You too, man.”
A couple of hours later, I’m pulling onto Kai’s drive, wondering what could’ve been if I had stayed here.
Five years changed everything.
The door opens, and Lorena waves at the car, her eyes widening when I step out.
“Jeez, Crane, you’re a mountain!”
I chuckle, hoisting my bag out of the trunk. My suit hangs in the back, and I crouch down to get it, my eyes falling on the book beside it.
Anger management.
I’d been in trouble with the law so often they’d ordered me to attend fucking anger management classes—for all the good it did.
Still, Mom made me take the book, pleading with me to give it a shot.
Lorena skips down to me, pulling me into her arms.
“He’s missed you so fucking bad,” she whispers into my ear, squeezing my arm. When she pulls away, her eyes lock onto mine. “Please don’t leave him again.”
I swallow, glancing at Kai, whose grin can’t get much broader.
“I’m here for the wedding, Lorena. Kai knows that.”
Lorena’s eyes fill with sadness, and she pats my arm, biting her lip.
“Let’s hope you find a reason to stay.”
Her loaded statement hangs in the air until Kai claps me on the back.
“Come in, man.”
The house is all white-washed walls and tapestries; clearly, Lorena’s taste, unless Kai has invested in art over the past five years.
“Your home is beautiful,” I say to Lorena, who flushes.
“Thanks, Crane. You’ve got the guest room upstairs to your right.”
I nod, giving her a grateful smile.
I can afford the best hotel in town, but I won’t ever turn down Kai’s hospitality.
Dumping my bag onto the large bed, a framed photograph on the windowsill commands my attention.
It’s Sierra.
My heart pounds when I step closer, a sigh leaving my lips when I lock eyes with her.
Well, the photographic version of her, anyway.
She’s wearing a caramel gown, a glass of champagne in her hand as she smiles at the camera.
But she’s not alone.
No.
Beside her is a smug cunt I recognize.
Declan Hale.
My teeth grind together; my hands clench into fists as I stare at the couple in the photograph.
He’s got his grubby hand around her waist, and she’s leaning against him like...like she loves him.
No way.
“I’ve got extra pillows if you need them…” Lorena chirps from behind me, her voice fading when I turn to glare at her. “Is everything okay?”
Her eyes flicker to the photograph beside me, and she frowns.
“Everything is fine.”
It wasn’t like I’d expected Sierra to wait for me.
I’ve fucked more girls than I care to think about, so I guess it’s obvious Sierra would be with someone else.
Five years.
Lorena nods, backing out of the room.
“We’re ordering in tonight. I’ll grab you a menu.”
I can’t even respond; I’m so fucking pissed.
When Kai sticks his head into the room moments later, I’m contemplating throwing the fucking photo against the wall.
“I’ve asked everyone to come over tonight; I hope that’s okay?”
“Who’s everyone?” I demand, unable to keep the malice from my voice.
I already know what he will say, but his expression falls, and I rein in my fury.
This isn’t about Sierra or me.
“Mom, Dad, Sierra, Declan, and little Philip.”
My heart drops to my fucking stomach. Has Sierra had a kid? With him?
“Who?” I whisper, raising an eyebrow at Kai.
“Oh, Mom and Dad got a new dog. He’s a little shit, but he’s cute as fuck, so I can tolerate him.”
Thank fuck for that.
“I thought you meant Sierra had a kid or something.”
Kai snorts. “Not yet.”
“So, Declan?” I clear my throat, unpacking my stuff so Kai can’t see the desperation in my eyes.
Kai rubs the back of his neck with a grimace.
“Yeah, who’d have thought it.”
“You hated him the last time I checked.”
Kai hums.
“Not too much has changed, but I can’t tell her who to love.”
Love.
So Sierra had fallen in love with Declan Hale.
“To be honest, I always had my money on you and Sierra,” Kai admits, rolling his eyes. “She used to have such a crush on you.”
I drop my gaze, focusing on sorting my bag.
“When you left, though, we couldn’t even say your name.”
Kai falls silent, and my hand hovers over the pile of clothes waiting to be unpacked.
“Sorry, man.”
Kai crosses over, his hand patting my back reassuringly.
“You did what you had to; I’d have done the same.”
This was all my father’s fault, the fucker.
“Mom thinks she killed him,” I tell Kai, shaking my head. “I need to call her.”
Kai nods, his eyes softening at the mention of my mom.
“Is she happy?”
I nod, a smile finally lifting the corners of my mouth.
“She’s a hairdresser now. Specializes in wigs and shit.”
“Yeah?” Kai grins. “Has she met anyone?”
My smile fades, the memory of my mother vowing never to let a man touch her again.
“No.”
I won’t elaborate, and Kai doesn’t ask.
“Come down, and I’ll get us some beers.”
“Sure thing.”
I hold my smile until Kai leaves, closing my eyes.
How the fuck am I going to keep my cool around Declan?
I can’t say shit to Sierra, and I know that.
I owe her an apology, though, if she’ll accept it.
If she doesn’t, I’ll have to let it go.