Chapter 29 Crane
TWENTY-NINE
CRANE
“He never was the type to keep his dick in his pants,” Kai mutters into the phone, rolling his eyes at me as I lean against the doorway. “Is she okay?”
He chews his lip, shaking his head as his eyes meet mine.
“Greg’s cheated on Kiki.” He covers the phone to whisper to me.
Oh.
That sucks.
“Alright, sis. Hey, are you and Declan still doing that date thing on Friday? Lorena was wondering if you wanted to join her and Mom for some girl bonding stuff.”
Friday?
Shit, she has a date with Declan that evening now?
I don’t know what else I expected to be honest—Sierra is in a relationship, after all.
“Oh, he didn’t say anything.”
Kai lifts his gaze to me, accusing eyes accompanying the frown on his forehead. “Just the two of you?”
Another frown.
“Oh. No, just surprised is all.” Kai shrugs, glancing at me. “You two didn’t seem too friendly the last time I looked.”
I turn away, helping myself to a soda from the fridge.
Interrogation from Kai coming up no doubt.
“So…”
Here we go.
“You and my sister have plans on Friday night?”
I’m silent, focusing on gulping down my soda.
“Planning the bachelorette and bachelor party, hmm?”
I shrug my shoulders, wiping my lips on the back on my hand.
I’m not fucking stupid.
If I give Kai an inch—
“I call bullshit. You need to come clean, Michaels. Tell me everything.”
“There’s nothing to tell,” I lie, avoiding the hurt in my best friend's eyes. “She’s with Declan.”
“So?”
“So?” I screw my face up at Kai like I have no idea what he’s talking about. “She’s got a man.”
“Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t want my sister.”
Fucking hell.
I’ve avoided this for five years, yet just a couple of days together has him pinning me down.
“As I said, it doesn’t matter cus’ she’s got a man.”
Kai glares at me, folding his arms.
“What?!” I throw my hands up with exasperation.
Kai stares at me, refusing to budge.
Just fucking tell him.
“Fine, I do. Always have, not that it makes a difference now.”
Kai points a finger at me, a grin on his face.
“I fucking knew it.”
Lorena joins us in the kitchen, staring at the two of us curiously.
“Knew what?”
“Nothing,” I snap, just as Kai says,
“Him and Sierra. You owe me forty bucks.”
Forty bucks?
“Ah, come on!” Lorena protests, scowling at me. “Why’d you have to admit it, douchebag?”
“Who are you calling a douchebag?” I laugh with disbelief, shaking my head at them. “You guys had a bet?”
Lorena pouts, striding over to her purse.
“I’m only giving you twenty because I’m your girl.”
“Nah, that’s not how it works,” Kai argues, holding his hand out. “Pay up.”
“Hold on, you knew?” I stare at Kai who nods, glancing at me.
“Everyone knew, dickhead. She was like a wounded puppy when you left for years.”
Fuck.
I hurry to clarify, “What happened is in the past; we’re meeting to sort out your two’s parties. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“Bullshit!” Kai eases himself onto a stool, tugging Lorena into his arms. “Tell me, does Declan know?”
I’m irritated by the sheer mention of his name.
“I dunno, he’s not my boyfriend. That’s up to Sierra.”
Kai and Lorena exchange a worried look.
“What?” I ask with a frown.
I don’t like that look at all.
“Declan can be a bit…of a dick.” Lorena chews on her lip, darting a look between Kai and me.
“He’s never touched her,” Kai adds defensively. “He’s just an argumentative prick.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing.
“Are you saying he gives her shit?”
More silence.
“What the fuck, Kai? She’s your sister!” I clench my fists together, the ball of fury in my chest almost burning a hole through my clothes. “What does he do to her?”
Kai narrows his eyes at me.
“Hey, he doesn’t do anything. As I said, he’s just a loud prick.”
Lorena strokes Kai’s back, and he relaxes.
“I would kill him if he touched her, you know that.”
“Hey, not all abuse is physical,” I grit out, dragging my phone out to text Sierra. “I’ll kill him if he’s so much as raised his fucking voice to her.”
CRANE: Can I see you?
Kai watches me, a smile on his lips.
“It’s about fucking time.”
“What is?” I want to punch someone, I’m so angry.
“That you came back to claim your girl,” Lorena finishes for him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “If you need any help…”
“Which he will. Declan won’t let her go without a fight,” Kai points out, scanning Lorena’s face with so much adoration I want to puke.
“If he mistreats Sierra, she deserves better. That doesn’t necessarily mean me,” I remind them, conscious that they’re getting carried away. “She deserves to be happy.”
Lorena studies me, shaking her head.
“And you don’t think you’d make her happy?”
I stare at the kitchen counter, not knowing the answer to that question.
We’ve only ever had one night together.
But what a night it was.
“You won’t know until you try,” Kai chirps, kissing Lorena on the lips. “Maybe there’ll be another wedding soon, huh?”
“With babies!” Lorena squeals, as Kai smirks.
“Maybe we should focus on making babies first, gorgeous.”
I roll my eyes as they make excuses, chasing one another up the stairs.
I’m not surprised Kai was that chill about me and Sierra; he’s always wanted us together.
But their admission about Declan being a shit to Sierra doesn’t sit well with me.
At all.
I’ll be damned if I’m going to stand by and let her accept that kind of treatment.
My phone vibrates.
SIERRA: Now? Is everything okay? I’m at work.
CRANE: Everything is fine, I just want to ask you something. Can you meet for a quick coffee after work?
SIERRA: I can’t, I’m sorry. I’m watching Declan play American football so he’s picking me up from work. Are we still on for tomorrow night?
So Declan’s still playing football. With his trophy girlfriend in the stands watching him.
I fucking hate him.
CRANE: Sure, we can catch up tomorrow night. If you ever want to chat, my phone is always on. Anytime, alright?
SIERRA: Okay, thanks, I think?! I’m worried!
CRANE: It’s just something I want you to know…that’s all. Anything. Anytime. Got it?
SIERRA: Got it. See you tomorrow night