“Are…are you serious right now?” I asked in open shock. “You…this was allyouridea!”
“But it was a terrible idea that you fuckers let me charge headfirst into! I had no business doing that!”
The booming laughter coming from Chrome’s chest was a very rare sound, but it was great to see him out of his head. “I really needed the laugh, Onyx,” he managed to say. “Thank you, man.”Chrome leaned down, scooping our friend up from underneath his arms.
I stepped up to Onyx’s left side, as did Cotton on the right. We all heaved Onyx over the ledge where he plopped down on his stomach onto the rooftop with a grunt.
Looking down at Onyx’s sprawled body, I asked him, “You good to jump back, dude?”
“Fuck that,” he said and rolled over, slowly rising to his feet.
The three of us shared in the humor before agreeing to walk back to the previous rooftop where our sisters waited.
We found the ladder leading to the alleyway and descended to the uneven concrete in the pitch night. The four of us didn’t speak as we just as swiftly ascended the ladder to the rooftop of our secret spot, Onyx leading the way, and Chrome taking up the rear.
Once we reached the surface to join the girls, another presence immediately slammed into me.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Royal,” Onyx cursed. “What are you doing here?”
“Hi, baby! I missed you and needed to find you.” Her blue hair was curled to perfection, and she donned a plastered grin.
Reluctantly, Onyx pulled her into a hug and kissed her forehead.
Cotton coughed from behind, and the look of disgust on his face said everything we all felt about the couple.
“Would you like a shot, babyface?” Onyx asked into her hair, his tone softening on her behalf.
Royal gazed up at him with glazed eyes and a wide smile. “Of course, my sweet.”
Chapter 18
Slate
Afew hours later, everyone was wiped, including Chrome, although he hid it much better than most people. Despite the lazy lids, he kept his eyes alert, scanning the area with strained shoulders as he kept watch for any unwanted newcomers.
“See ya guys tomorrow,” Onyx slurred as he worked not to stumble off with an equally drunk Royal under his arm. Watching the two of them attempt to guide each other from the rooftop safely was like watching a pile-up on Interstate 85. I constantly tensed and cringed, thinking both would go toppling over the edge together. Somehow, they made it to the concrete alleyway unscathed.
I wondered if Onyx would stand by his terms and sneak into the King’s Palace naked. Honestly, I trusted he’d hold true and follow through.
Peri and Hazel sat crisscross on the rooftop, facing each other as they giggled over what I assumed was girl talk. Cotton had already taken off to head back to the King’s Palace for the night.
It had been a much-needed night of fun for the group of us, especially for Chrome. He’d been more chill than I had seen him in weeks.
After watching the disaster that was Onyx and Royal, I let the breath leave my chest slowly before turning to face Chrome. “You ready to head out? Don’t want to push the boundaries too much. It’s already one in the morning.”
Chrome cleared his throat, shaking his head as if to empty the thoughts. His reflective hair swished across his brows before he met my gaze. “Yeah, it’s about that time.”
“Cool, y’all go ahead, and I’ll be behind you,” I said, running a hand along the back of my neck, noting that I needed to get a haircut soon.
Chrome cocked an eyebrow and observed me from head to toe with a sudden distrust in his expression that made my stomach sour. “Why? Where are you going?” he asked, eyes narrowing.
I shook my head, determined to mask the lie. “Nowhere. I just want to go for a drive.”
“You’ve been drinking.”
“So have you,” I shot back.
Chrome’s crystalline gaze fought to penetrate my defenses in search of the answers himself, but I held on, determined to accomplish this side mission alone. If he knew, he’d find a way to stop me. I needed to do this.
