Mom rushes out, trying to help him back to his chair as I stare at her.
“Mom, come with me.”
“She’s going nowhere, so fuck off,” Dad snarls, patting Mom on the ass.
My stomach turns when he winks at me, his lips brushing her cheek.
“Bye, son. Don’t hurry back.”
“Mom?” I try again, knowing if I go, she’s at his mercy.
“Send my love to the Carsons,” Mom replies, brushing my dad's hair back. “Let’s get you in the shower, Ben.”
“Only if you come in with me,” he leers, tugging at her top as she smiles faintly.
“Love you, Crane,” Mom calls with a reassuring smile, disappearing into the house with the monster.
I fucking hate him.
I dial Liza’s number, wishing I’d never left the Carson’s. Maybe if Sierra wasn’t so irritating, I wouldn’t have.
Urgh.
FOUR
SIERRA
Ifinish lining my lips with the dark-pink lip liner, dabbing a bit of gloss to my bottom lip before pressing my lips together, making sure it's evenly distributed.
Leaning back in my chair, I huff out a breath of annoyance when I hear Crane’s voice from downstairs.
He’s here.
As gorgeous as he is, he looks down on me with that irritating smirk, thinking I’m just a kid despite me only being two years younger than him.
It didn’t stop him with Liza,my brain reminds me, forcing me to flatten my palms on the dresser with frustration.
I think back to Crane’s response about Jaden and me, and I can’t help but feel disappointed.
Crane didn’t give a shit.
“Sierra! Come down please!” Mom calls in that fake sing-songy voice she uses whenever anyone is around.
“Coming!” I yell back, rising to examine myself in the full-length mirror.
I’m wearing another dress, but this is a tad more conservative than my daytime one. It clings to my curvesperfectly, though, so I don’t mind the below knee-length. My hair is swept into a side part, falling around my shoulders like a veil.
I grab my phone, hesitating before sliding it back on my dresser.
Dad has a no phone policy at the table when we have guests, so that’s that.
The scent of roasted meat fills the house, and my stomach rumbles in response.
Crane and Kai are lounging on the sofa when I pass them, heading straight for the kitchen.
“Glass of wine?” Mom smiles, her eyes sweeping over my dress approvingly. “Oh, Sierra. You look stunning, doesn’t she, Andy?”
My dad pops his head around the door, his blue eyes twinkling.
