I’d kissed ugly guys for less. With my eyes closed, Spence could probably pass for a man anyway — and wasn’t my freedom worth it?
I nodded, biting my lip for good measure.
But Spencer just laughed, that smirk of hers turning devilish. “Nice try, straight girl.”
My face burned red as her laughter echoed through the room. “Fuck. Was it that obvious?”
“Always is. But don’t worry, Bunny — next time you ask for it, you’ll mean it.”
The burning in my cheeks deepened.In your fucking dreams.
But before I could stammer out a response, Spencer wrapped her fingers around the doorknob, the teasing in her gaze replaced with something more genuine. “I promise I won’t be gone too long — I’ve just gotta check on some stuff at the autobody. If you’re a good girl, I’ll let you out as soon as I’m home. Got it?”
“Got it.” I flopped down on the bed, crossing my arms over my chest in the only act of protest I could get away with, it seemed.
With one last smile, Spencer swung the door shut. I could hear the metal lock thunk into place, then her footsteps fading down the hallway, and then…
Silence.
The flirting attempt had been worth a shot, even if I was deeply embarrassed about it. Spencer was right about one thing — the next time I tried it, she would certainlybelievethat I meant it. I just needed to get a little better at it was all.
Wouldn’t be hard with Spencer and Leo around to observe in action.
I still couldn’t wrap my mind around the fact that I was staying here. For now, this big, sprawling mansion was home.
Something about the thought made goosebumps prickle at the base of my neck.
When I tried to picture this place full of life, it looked so different from the wreckage that littered the place. In my mind, it was a warm summer day. The wallpaper was still original. And always, there was the sound of children laughing.
Before I could get too swept up in the vision, my phone buzzed. My shoulders stiffened — there was no good answer to who might be calling, but I wasn’t sure if I was more stressed or relieved to see that it was her:
My mother.
Probably better than Gabe, if marginally.
With a deep sigh, I picked up the phone and swiped across the screen — I could only dodge her for so long, after all.
17
KIERA
“Where are you?! What happened?”I’d barely lifted the phone to my ear before my mother was shrieking into the receiver.
“Hello to you, too,” I muttered, clicking the phone volume down a few.
But Maura was never one for pleasantries — not when it came to me.
“You need to cut the shit, Kiera. This isn’t funny.”
“I didn’t say it was.”
“Poor Gabriel is amess. Do you even care?”
There it was — the guilt trip behind every call from my mother. I had to give it to her, she’d made record time with that one.
“I’m fine, thanks for asking. How are you?”
“I did ask. And clearly you’re fine. Stop changing the subject.”
