“Dude,” Lily snaps as I pull out a chair, “don’t talk to her like that. Shouldn’t you be in a better mood after your sex marathon last night? Jeez.”
Kill me now. How mortifying. I struggle to look at him in case he doesn’t want me here, but he told me to sit, so… I’m not sure what to think, or if I should stay.
“I should head home.” I go to stand up again, but Kane puts a plate of pancakes down in front of me and massages my neck. The sticky syrup drips off the sides, and my stomach growls loudly. When was the last time I ate? It wasn’t at the top of our priorities last night.
He leans down, causing shivers to run through me at the feel of his minty breath on my neck. “Eat, baby.”
And then he places a takeaway cup in front of me. The logo on the front catches my attention as he pulls out a chair next to me and sits down. He rests his hand on my thigh beneath the table and pours syrup over his pancakes.
“That’s from the coffee shop in the Falls,” I say.
“I know.” He cuts into his pancakes with his fork, squeezing my thigh. “I drove over this morning to get you your favorite.”
A knowing smile plays on Lily’s lips as she helps herself to more pancakes. She winks at me again, and I’m sure I’m two seconds away from choking up.
“But why?” I ask. Why would he go to the Falls? That’s quite a drive from here when there are plenty of cafes nearby.
“The barista said it’s your favourite.”
I blink at him, feeling a burn behind my eyes. No one has ever done something so sweet for me.
“I also got you dessert, but that’s for after breakfast.” He stuffs his mouth, and I can’t look away from him, my vision blurring with tears. The moment cracks when Cash saunters back in, dressed in a navy blue Henley that fits tight over his broad shoulders. I quickly wipe my wet cheeks before anyone notices and then sip the coffee, letting out a soft moan at how good it is. Money might not grow on trees in the Falls, but you won’t find coffee like it anywhere else.
“No! Not again. No more moaning. We had enough of that shit last night.” Lily points her fork at me while shaking her head. Across from her, Cash chuckles, tearing into a pancake as if he hasn’t eaten in days.
“Back me up on this, Cash.” She gives him a look that lacks any real anger.
“Hey, don’t involve me. I actually enjoyed listening to Kane’s girl get her brains screwed out all night.” He snickers, loading his fork again, syrup dripping down the side. “She’s a screamer.”
“Oh my God.” I slide further down in the chair, wishing I could melt into the floor and vanish. Remind me never to come here again. I won’t be able to face his siblings ever again.
Ignoring their bantering, Kane rests his arm on the back of my chair and leans in. “Eat up, little thief. You need your strength for what I have planned.”
I keep my voice low. “You promised to take me home this morning.”
“And I will, once I’ve had my real breakfast.”
I sink even lower until I’m at eye level with the table. Any farther, and I’ll fall to the floor and stay there, like a puddle of water.
“So,” Lily says, bringing the fork to her mouth with a mischievous glint in her eyes, “want to hear some fun stories about Kane?”
“No.” Kane’s firm voice is laced with a reluctant smile. “No, you’re not going there.”
“Oh, but I am.” She sets her cutlery down on the plate and rests her chin on her palm, waiting for me to sit back up. “This one time, at band camp?—”
Kane chokes on a mouthful of pancakes, and Cash leans over to bash him on the back as he continues hacking up a lung.
“Did you just quote American Pie?” I ask, looking between all of them, wondering if this is an inside joke or something?
Lily winks at me. “I knew I liked you.” She takes a quick sip of her orange juice and then gives me another not-so-innocent smile. “Did my brother tell you that he’s scared of geese?”
“Oh, come on,” Kane says between coughs. “Who the hell isn’t scared of geese? They’re terrifying.”
Ignoring him, Lily pours more orange juice into her glass. “When he was five, he tried to pet one, and it chased him down the path, wings flapping, honking like it was calling for backup. He’s been scared of birds ever since.”
“You were three.” Kane rests his arm behind me again. “You won’t remember.”
“Doesn’t matter. It’s one of Mum’s favorite stories?—”
