“I promise.”
Crane looks away, but I can still taste his mints on my tongue, and I can’t help but wonder if that’s how it would feel to kiss him.
Ask Liza,my brain suggests helpfully, and I gag in response.
I pick up my phone to find two text messages, one from Kiki, telling me where to get a cab to, and one from an unknown number.
UNKNOWN: This is my number because you know you want it. Declan.
Ohmyfuckinggod!
SIX
CRANE
The party is in full swing when we arrive, and I move around couples eating each other’s faces on sofas, chairs, you name it.
I’m still pissed from earlier; finding Declan outside Sierra’s room was enough to set me off.
“You gonna tell me what happened in that study?” Kai asks, his eyes scanning the room as he nods at some guys from college.
“Nothing.” I shrug, seeking out the alcohol. I need to chill out, and after seeing my mom in a state and Sierra and Declan like that, I think it's called for.
“Huh, okay.” Kai smiles widely, clapping his hand on my chest. “Look who's here.”
I follow his gaze to see Liza propped up against the wall, looking up at some guy with doe-like eyes.
She glances around, her eyes locking onto mine as I smirk at her, knowing she will be heading in my direction in five, four, three, two…
“Crane!”
Liza lifts onto her tiptoes, pulling me down to her sticky lips. I kiss her briefly, ignoring Kai who is rolling his eyes beside me.
Why the fuck is Liza here?
It’s not a high school gig.
I can see Kai is wondering the same thing, his look of annoyance telling me Liza mustn’t be the only senior here.
“Jaden is here.” Liza sighs, her fingers curling into my hair. “This will be the first time he’s seen us together.”
Kai makes a choking sound, and Liza cuts her eyes at him, pursing her lips.
“Something funny, Kai?”
Kai grins at me, shaking his head at Liza.
“Nope.”
I let my hands fall to her waist, stroking the bare skin above the waistband of her jeans.
“Us?” I repeat, as Liza frowns at me.
Uh oh.
“Kiss me, Crane.”
I’m not in the mood for this, but it's easy enough to do, considering how hot Liza is. I send an apologetic look in Kai’s direction and dip down, my finger tilting her jaw so my lips stroke hers softly.
