Chapter 26 Crane
TWENTY-SIX
CRANE
Ididn’t expect any less from Sierra, not really. If I were her, I wouldn’t speak to me either.
“I’m sorry, man, I don’t know what’s with her.” Kai glares at Sierra through the French doors, and I wonder whether I should enlighten him or not.
Declan is glaring at me from across the room as Wendy Carson whispers in his ear.
“I still can’t believe she’s with him,” I mutter.
Kai sighs. “Can you get over it? Huh?”
This isn’t about me and Sierra.
That shit is over.
I have to be here for Kai, that’s all.
“So, what did you want to talk to me about?” I change the subject, and Kai grins.
“I think you know. The reason I can’t get married without you, is because I want you to be my best man.”
My stomach sinks.
Is he serious?
I’m the last candidate for the role of a best man.
I’ve been missing for five years.
I slept with his sister and left without a word.
I’ve been a shit friend.
“Kai, I don’t know…” I begin, but Kai shakes his head, resting his hand on my shoulder.
“It’s you, or I go without a best man. Your call.”
Fuck.
“Kai, man...”
“You need to organise my bachelor party.” Kai jabs me in the ribs, leaning in close. “I want something I’ll never forget.”
A bachelor party.
Jesus.
“Is that it?” I chuckle, sweeping a hand through my hair.
“The first toast. Hold the rings. You know, that kind of shit.”
Kai gazes at me, and I see years of missed friendship lying in tatters there.
How long till he gets hitched?
Six months?
I can do this.
I just need to keep my head down and avoid Sierra at all costs.
After the wedding, I can leave.
“Of course, bud. Anything for you,” I mumble gruffly, as Kai pulls me into a bear hug.
“Thanks, Crane. Seriously, this means a lot to me.”
Kai chokes up, and I clap his back, attempting to brush off the raw emotion with humour.
“Don’t you fucking cry.”
Kai laughs, his eyes skimming the room until they land on Lorena.
“I’ve got my dream woman and my best friend in the same room. What more could a man want?”
Lorena makes her way over to us, her mouth curving into a smile as Kai pulls her into his arms.
“Do you need a drink, Crane?” Lorena asks, moving to the kitchen.
“Nah, I’m good. Thanks, though.”
Lorena smiles politely, and I’m reminded of the times I tried to keep her away from Kai.
Now look.
“Crane said yes.” Kai grins, squeezing Lorena against his chest.
Lorena's eyes flicker with what I can only read as disappointment, but she smiles at me like she means it.
I don’t get women.
“That’s great! You and Sierra will have a blast planning things out.”
“Yeah, if they can get along,” Kai says, lifting his beer bottle to his lips.
“Sierra?”
I’ve no idea why me being the best man matters about getting along with Sierra, but the guilty look in Kai’s eyes soon tells me.
“Sierra is Lorena’s maid of honour.”
Of all the people—she chose Sierra.
“It’s cool. We’re all adults.” I shrug, making eye contact with Lorena. “But I’ll have that beer now if that’s alright.”
Lorena nods, and Kai is drawn into a conversation with his dad, both of them chuckling at some secret joke.
I need some air.
Sierra is back in the room, her head resting on Declan’s shoulder as she smiles at her mother, avoiding my gaze when I walk by.
She may be beautiful, but she’s angry.
Angrier than I’ve ever seen her before, and that’s saying something.
I’ll keep out of her way.
She needs to keep out of mine.
SIERRA
Crane passes me without even glancing my way, which pisses me off even more. I can only imagine the attention he gets from women; I bet he barely remembers little old me.
“It will soon be your turn.”
I’m still grinning when Mom throws that at me, and I frown, wondering what the hell she’s talking about.
Declan strokes my lower back, his eyes flickering over to me.
“If she’s lucky.”
Mom doesn’t take well to that.
“You mean if you’re lucky? Get it right, Hale.”
“Marriage?” I ask, rolling my eyes at Declan. “He wishes. I’m going to the bathroom.”
I’m dreading running into Crane, but he’s nowhere to be seen.
Hopefully he’s gone to bed or something.
I’m halfway to the bathroom when a hand grabs my arm, tugging me into the kitchen.
“What’s wrong with you?” Kai hisses, his eyes narrowing.
He looks like he’s swallowed a wasp nest, his face red and angry.
“Excuse me?” I tug my arm back and glance around us. “What the hell is wrong with you? Quit dragging me around.”
Kai’s nostrils flare, his lips pressing together as he steps closer to me.
“Please, Sierra, you need to give Crane a break. You’ve got no idea—”
The nerve of my brother right now.
“No, it’s you who has no idea. He didn’t just leave you, Kai.”
Kai frowns, his eyes moving behind me as he sighs.
“Did something happen between you?” Kai asks, folding his arms.
“It doesn't matter now. It’s over. Whatever there was between us left five years ago.”
Tears sting my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall, turning back to the bathroom.
If only Kai knew.
I’m so focused on not crying that I walk straight into someone, their hands steadying me as I look up to apologise.
Steel-gray eyes lock onto mine, the full lips parting only to remain silent.
Crane.
“Sierra, are you alright?”
His eyes flicker dangerously to Kai, his jaw clenching.
“I said to leave it.” The tone in his voice makes me halt for a brief second, allowing myself to remember what it’s like to be in his arms.
No, Sierra.
I move back, but in my haste to leave, I forget the tears I’m fighting so badly.
They spill down my cheeks, hot reminders of the past and what could have been.
Crane frowns, his hand moving to brush them away as I shake my head.
No.
He can’t touch me. If he does, I’ll—well—I’ll probably die.
It’s a bit extreme, I know, but his touch makes me dizzy.
Still.
“I’m sorry,” Crane mumbles, releasing me. He steps back, a cold gaze replacing the concern he’d worn only moments earlier. “Excuse me.”
Crane heads back into the kitchen, and I hear my brother muttering something that sounds like an explanation.
Somehow, I make it to the bathroom, it’s gleaming white tiles and pine-scented air freshener greeting me soothingly.
I feel like I’m going to puke.
How does he still have this effect on me?
It was a one-night stand.
Until it wasn’t.
I grip the sink, concentrating on my breathing.
Crane Michaels is here for Kai’s wedding.
Nothing more, nothing less.
He’s apologised.
“Come on, Sierra, you’re grown,” I whisper to myself in the mirror. “You’ve got a boyfriend. Everyone has moved on.”
A wave of unease washes over me but I push it back, refusing to be victim to my childish memories.
I’m Lorena’s maid of honour, and I should be focusing on their happiness right now.
Not mine, or lack of it.
I stare at my reflection, ignoring the teenage dreams that haunt my eyes.
“You’re grown. Stop this.”
Time to be a grown-up.