“Pfft. You wouldn’t; Dad would kill you. Anyway,” I can’t help but notice Crane turning his attention to me, his eyes narrowing, “what has Declan ever done to you?”
Crane snorts, rolling his eyes at me.
“He’s from Ryder High, and we’ve played him a few times. He plays dirty, and he’s an arrogant fuck.”
I open my mouth to respond when Kai smiles. My mother floats in, all smiles and wine, her eyes wide.
“Best behaviour, you two. This is?—”
“Important to Dad, we know,” I finish for her, craning my neck to see Declan.
Like he knows what I’m doing, Crane sighs, pushing past me to grab the seat nearest to Declan, winking at me as he sits down.
Why?!I shout at him mentally, but realise I’m sitting across from Declan, which gives me a better view.
In fact, the view before me of CraneandDeclanis enough to send a girl hot.
Declan pauses mid-conversation, nodding briefly at Crane before turning his attention to me.
And what attention it is.
His hair is swept back, his electric-blue eyes boring into mine before he licks his lips. His eyes sweep down my body, lingering on the hemline of my dress.
"That dress is a little tight for dinner with our parents, don't you think?" His tone is light, but his eyes aren't.
Who the fuck does this guy think he is?
Heat flares in my cheeks. "Like I give a shit whatyouthink."
"If you say so." His electric-blue eyes stare into mine before he licks his lips. "Sierra, right?"
Crane leans back in his chair, turning to make a face at Declan.
“Put your tongue away, man. She’s off limits,” Kai snaps, slumping into the seat beside me, opposite Crane.
Declan lifts a brow, a playful smile on his lips as he nods thoughtfully.
“Off limits, huh? Sounds fun.”
A shiver of excitement runs through me as I flush, his words promising me that tonight might not be as boring as I originally thought.
Kai glares at him as Mom comes in, placing delicious plates of meat on the table, complete with garlic roasted potatoes, honey roasted carrots and parsnips, oodles of cauliflower with cheese, and countless boats of gravy.
“You’ve outdone yourself, hasn’t she, Mary?” Mr. Hale booms, glancing over at me. “Wow, a miniature Wendy! Look at you.”
All eyes turn to me, and I smile politely, aware of a foot stroking mine beneath the table so softly I wonder if it’s an innocent brush.
“Yep.” I smile, glancing at Crane and Declan who give nothing away.
Crane is staring out of the window, deep in thought, and Declan is looking at his dad, nodding in agreement.
The foot strokes my leg, and I move my leg forward, pressing against it so I can gauge the reaction of its owner.
“Eighteen now, aren’t you? Off to college soon then?” Mr. Hale continues, forking a mountain of potato into his mouth as my parents look at me with pride.
“She’s on track for the best grades—if she keeps her head down, that is.” Dad lifts a brow at me, and I smile back.
No pressure then.
