Kelsey
My eyes squint open, and I sigh, seeing that the sun is still shining bright through my curtains.
I slept all day and still feel like I could sleep more.
I stretch my arms above my head with a yawn and pry myself away from my bed.
I grab my phone out from under my pillow to check the time.
It’s a quarter after three, and I also have an email that has “IMPORTANT” written in the subject line.
“I’m sorry I was such a dick last night.
I’m sorry for what you saw in the courtyard.
I saw the way you looked at me from the balcony.
I’ll never forget that look in your eyes.
When I saw you with Hayden in the pool… I…
Nevermind. It wasn’t fair to you, regardless.
I had hidden who I was from you; in all fairness, I also didn’t know you were my sister’s best friend.
We don’t do ‘friendships’. It’s family or nothing with us, so this is all new territory for me.
I don’t want to see my sister lose you, and I can’t be the one to break her heart.
So, I guess you’re a part of the family now.
If you take any of my advice, please take this.
Always watch your back and trust your instincts.
Never hesitate to call me. I’ve attached my number below.
The phone trembles in my shaky hands as I finish the email from Ryder.
I’d say he had no right to be jealous, but then again, I was when I saw him with Lexie.
What would he do if he knew about what we did in his supply closet?
I take a steadying breath and toss my phone onto my bed.
I really need to shower, but now I’m all worked up.
This is the second time I’ve been told to watch my back.
My phone vibrates with a new text. I pick it back up and open it immediately. My heart skips a beat when I see it’s from an unknown number. “I mean it, never hesitate to call or text.” I stare at it unblinkingly.
Ryder must have gone through my phone last night.
That’s how he would have gotten my email.
I thought I had a lot of questions last night, but now I have even more.
Like, why is he texting me from an unknown number when I already have his number?
It could be a burner phone, but why would he need that?
I smile foolishly, shaking my head as the thought crosses my mind.
None of it is really making sense, but since he called me family, I suppose he’s done shoving me away. I wonder what’s changed.
The sound of car engines roars past my house.
I jump up, running to my window, but I only make it in time to catch the tail end of the car.
My brows reach my hairline when I realize what I’m looking at.
à La Voiture Noire. One of the rarest Bugatti’s on the market.
They cost more money than I’d ever see in a lifetime.
My dad has always been a car fanatic and used to take me to car shows, so I know my way around cars.
That was my favorite thing to do on the weekends with him.
He used to tell me stories about when his dad, my grandfather, used to take him to the classic shows in Tennessee.
I would have loved to meet my grandfather based on the stories my dad told, but he passed away before I was born.
My dad says I’m just like him. Hotheaded, yet sweet.
Dad and I have talked about building a car together since I was a little kid.
Our dream was always a classic Camaro SS, with all-black leather interior and cherry red exterior.
We just never had the extra money to do it.
When I first bought my car, it wouldn’t even start.
My dad helped me rebuild the engine, and honestly, everything else.
It might look like a piece of shit to anyone else, but it holds enough sentimental value to be priceless in my eyes.
I don’t know what a car like that is doing around this little town.
I decide to shoot a text off to Jessie to see if she’d want to go out tonight.
It immediately notifies that she’s read it, so I wait for her response.
After fifteen minutes, I assume she isn’t texting back.
She’s probably still pissed with me about Ryder.
She was too quiet and awkward this morning, which is the complete opposite of the Jessie I know.
How was I supposed to know Ryder’s her brother?
I growl, tossing my phone on the nightstand.
“Fuck me,” I sigh, collapsing back into bed. I roll onto my side and try to fall back asleep.