Too late.
Now I’ve had a taste, I want more.
My phone beeps, and I glance down to see a text from Kiki.
KIKI: tell me you tapped that.
Smirking to myself I reply.
SIERRA: Maybe.
KIKI: Fucking YES! And? Are you two still in bed?
SIERRA: I wish. He’s gone out.
I spend the rest of the day puttering around until Kai comes down, concern written all over his face. He’s holding his phone against his ear, his expression solemn.
Something has happened.
“No, I know, but?—”
Kai’s words are cut off by whoever is on the other end, and my heart sinks like it knows.
“Let me help you.” Kai argues, shaking his head. “I’ll come with you.”
My mind is all over the place.
I know he’s talking to Crane or Lorena.
Please don’t be Crane.
“Call me when you get there. Alright. Stay safe.”
Kai ends the call, throwing the phone onto the counter between us with a clatter.
“Fuck!”
“Is it Crane? Is he okay?”
Kai looks at me as though seeing me for the first time. He shakes his head, swallowing.
“Yeah, he’s alright. Don’t worry about it.”
Before I can press for more information, Kai leaves the room, slamming the front door behind him.
What’s happened?
Why do I feel deep down that something is wrong?
TWENTY-TWO
CRANE
My phone buzzed at two a.m.
Unknown number.
"Crane?" Mom's voice was barely a whisper, thick with tears.
