2
Stan
February 22 — On the road from Darkhaven
I miss the Philippines. I miss the food, the laughter, but most of all, I miss the warmth. It felt like living in Cali again.
But now, I’m back in Darkhaven, where I’ve been living for months with my brothers and my besties. The newlyweds are off on their honeymoon. So I’m stuck with Damon and Kaye. And right now, they’re driving me to the docks some states away, where I’ll board that ship.
“Hot in here, Damon,” I whine, flapping my jacket’s open front.
“What are you talking about?” he asks, frowning at me in the rearview mirror. “The heat’s on the lowest setting.”
“I’m cranking down my window,” I mumble, pouting.
“Don’t you dare,” Damon growls. Yeah, he can do that. It’s pretty impressive. “I’ll kick you out of my car before I risk Kaye catching a cold.”
My pout pulls down. “Am I even family to you anymore?”
Kaye laughs, wounding my pride.
“You two are the worst,” I grumble.
They’re the worst in more ways than one. They’re so heart-eyes in love, they’d make cupid sick.Andthey’re such horndogs for each other, they’d make a porn star blush.
That’s why it’s hot in here. Because I’m obviously inhell.
Damon’s at the wheel his sleek black import. Kaye’s in the passenger seat, legs crossed. And I’m in the back seat, sweating.
“You’re gonna miss me when you’re stuck in your new study,” Kaye teases Damon.
“Clearly,” Damon says, his hand fixing her dress as if I haven’t seen all of her before. “But,” he tacks on, “I’ll think of you constantly. I already do every second.”
Kaye scoffs. “Okay, Mister Clingy.”
“Behave, Kaye.” Damon’s voice deepens. “Or I’ll have to make a pit stop and teach you a lesson.”
I groan. “You two know I’m here, right? Like, physically present?Within earshot?”
Kaye flashes me a smile. “Aww, the baby bwother’s cwanky.”
I glare out the window like I can force myself to phase through it and roll into traffic.
Damon glances at me again. “I told you to drive yourself.”
“And be alone during the last hours of my dignity, while adding miles to my car?” I huff. “This might be torture, but it’s the lesser of two evils.”
Kaye’s giggle is vicious. “You’re so grumpy today. I should’ve helped you hook up with someone after the wedding. Your balls must be purple by now.”
“Kaye, babe, I’d rather reenact our one-night stand than have you play matchmaker. If you’re that curious, come check my balls yourself.”
“You’re a dead man,” Damondeadpans at me.Ha.
I throw my head back. “You’ve said that foryears. But guess what? I’m still alive. Still effortlessly charming.”
“Charming’s generous,” Damon mutters. “Effortless, even more so.”
“You’re just mad she called me daddy first,” I say, smirking.
