Chapter 25 Sierra
TWENTY-FIVE
SIERRA
“Can you please give it a rest?” I snap at Declan, glancing at my brother’s house. “I don’t want to talk about your fucking dad anymore.”
Declan glares at me, waving a hand at Kai’s house.
“So you can dismiss my family, but I have to sit and eat Chinese with yours?”
I gape at him, unable to believe he could compare our families for even a second.
“You have to be kidding,” I gasp out as he shrugs, his palms upright. “My family has been nothing but lovely to you.”
“Come on, Sierra.” Declan taps his car key on the roof of the car. “You think I want to go and sit in there with that fucking dick?”
“That’s not fair,” I say quietly, knowing he is referring to Crane. “I haven’t seen him in five years, Declan.”
Declan studies me, dropping his head down with a sigh.
“I know, but I also know how he used to look at you. If he does that tonight, I’m laying him out cold.”
I shake my head, moving away from the car.
“You better not. This is for Kai.”
“It’s not, though. It’s to welcome him back into the fold,” Declan spits, narrowing his eyes.
“Sierra! Declan! You guys coming in or what?”
Lorena calls from the door behind me, and I stare daggers at Declan.
“I’m going in. Are you coming?” I arch a brow at him, and he makes a face.
“I’m not letting you go in there without me. He’ll have you up against the wall or something.”
“Do I get a say in that?” I hiss back, shaking my head as we approach Lorena.
Lorena raises her eyebrows but smiles widely, opening the door so we can step in.
“Hey, beautiful.” Declan grins, kissing Lorena’s cheek.
“Hey, love.” Lorena smiles back, making a face at me.
I roll my eyes as Declan grips my hand, pulling me against him.
“I can’t help being possessive over you,” he mutters in my ear. “You’re mine.”
Annoyance niggles in my stomach, and I sigh heavily.
“Whatever, Declan, just be nice to Crane.”
I must’ve said the wrong thing because Declan scowls.
“Whatever.”
As usual, I’ve arrived last, and I take a deep breath as we approach the room where everyone is gathered.
My eyes scan the room, searching for Crane.
Declan huffs beside me, and I turn to pay attention to him.
“Don’t be a dick.” I swat his arm, and it breaks the tension between us somewhat. “Please.”
“Hey, I’m sorry.”
Declan kisses the top of my head, and I move my head back so he can kiss my lips.
“Alright, lovebirds, enough of that.” Dad chuckles, pushing us apart as he enters the room. “Look at my beautiful daughter.”
Declan leans against the wall, giving me a heated look.
He wishes.
Not after his mood tonight.
“Hey, Dad.”
I turn back to my brother, who’s talking to someone I don’t recognize.
Could it be Crane?
The back is rippling with muscles, not the sort you have naturally, but the sort you work at every day for years.
Kai nods at me, and the man turns, his eyes locking on mine.
I’m drowning in the gray gaze that I’ve dreamed about for years, my heart hammering in my chest as his mouth moves to speak.
“Sierra.”
I’ve prepared myself for this, but my legs feel like they’re operating on borrowed time.
Did he suck the air from my lungs in order to purr my name like that?
He looks better than he ever did.
I can’t breathe.
“Hello…” I force out, moving my gaze to Kai, who looks perplexed. “Did we order food already?”
Crane watches me, his mouth twitching at the corners as I flush beneath his gaze.
The lust that’s now my primary operating system is turning me into a pathetic bitch.
“Uh, no, we were just about to….” Kai mumbles, looking from me to Crane. “I’ll leave you two to, uh, get reacquainted.”
Crane steps forward, his ink-black hair falling in his eyes as I move back.
“No need,” I breathe, shaking my head. “I’ve nothing to say.”
Crane’s gaze flickers to the arm that’s slid around my waist, and I force myself to look into the ocean-blue eyes of my boyfriend.
“Michaels.” Declan nods, pressing his lips to my head.
I need to tear my eyes away from Crane and his masculinity before I jump him.
“Sierra, can I talk to you?” Crane ignores Declan, who scoffs with indignation.
“No.” I smile politely, gnawing on the inside of my cheek.
Fuck him.
I can’t believe he’s come back after five years and expects me to talk to him just like that.
“Sierra—” Kai warns, his voice low.
“What?” I shrug, meeting my brother’s pissed-off gaze. “I said hello; what more do you want?”
Kai opens his mouth to retort when Crane glares at him, shaking his head.
“Leave it.”
My brother looks like he’s going to kill me, but Crane’s still staring at him.
“Si, let’s go and sit down.” Declan guides me away, sending a strange look in Kai’s direction. “What’s Kai’s problem?”
“Who knows,” I mutter, pushing the patio doors open so the fresh air stings my emotional skin. “I need a minute, Declan.”
Declan pushes his hands into his pockets, glancing back into the house.
“You sure?”
I nod, sucking in lungfuls of air.
“Yep. Just a minute.”
I’ve had five years without Crane.
How can he knock all of that off kilter with just one look?
I fucking hate him.
Tears sting my eyes as I stare up at the night sky, wishing I hadn’t bothered coming.
Who walks away from someone without a word after spending the night with them, disappearing for five years?
He’s got some fucking nerve.
“Sierra?”
The voice that cuts through my thoughts belongs to Lorena, and I desperately try to hold it together.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m good, sorry, I needed some air.”
Lorena steps outside, glancing behind her as she does.
“You don’t look okay.”
“Thanks.” I gulp, waving my hand in front of my eyes. “It’s just a shock, you know?”
Lorena rubs my back, resting her head on my shoulder.
She’s like the sister I’ve never had, and I love our relationship.
“I know, baby. But you guys have got to get along for the wedding, so maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to talk to him.”
“I don’t have to speak to him, Lorena.” I frown, my hand clasping hers against my chest.
“Well, about that…”
I freeze as she makes a face.
“You’re my maid of honour, right?”
I nod, my brain doing somersaults as I think of what she’s going to say next.
It hits me seconds before she says it, my vision going hazy.
“Kai wants Crane to be his best man.”