As I watch her frown deepen, I start second-guessing myself again. Should Firebird really be part of the gang? My mind drifts back to the warehouse scene. Her ass should already be fired by now—forgood, this time. But something’s stopping me from going through with it. Last night when we had that fight in the garage, I finally got what she was looking for. She needs a way to channel all her feelings. That’s something I can relate to, because I feel the same. For different reasons, sure—basketball, college… But I see her.
My heart tightens in my chest, and all I can think is how badly I want to just head back to that bedroom and fuck her senseless. I think we could help each other out, and as for the Campus Drivers situation… I have until June to decide. Plenty of time for me and her to get it on. And make sure Donovan doesn’t find out.
Footsteps echo down the hall, followed by mumbling, and when she comes stumbling into the living room all bleary-eyed, Amy’s still talking away to herself grouchily.
Definitely not an early bird, then.
“Hey there, my sweet little sister,” Raven says cheerily.
“Total bullshit… The hell… I’m gonna…”
I have no idea what kind of conversation she’s having with herself, but from where I’m sitting, it sounds intense. And terrifying. I made the right call trying to get away early this morning. “Trying” being the operative word. I watch as Amy pours herself a coffee on autopilot, then leans back against the kitchen counter, and when finally she looks up, she nearly drops her mug. Slowly, she shuts her eyes and gives her head a shake.
“What are you doing here?”
“Wow. Morning-you looks so… different.”
Raven bristles. “You trying to say my sister isn’t rocking the natural look?”
“Nope. I’m saying she looks as sweet as pie—worlds away from the warrior vibe she’s normally got going on. It’s fascinating.”
Raven bursts out laughing, before rearranging her features back into a dead-eyed stare.
“So, I had the pleasure of bumping into this lovely young man this morning.”
Amy rolls her eyes. “What are you, seventy years old?” Her eyes widen. “Wait—is that Dad’sbaseball bat?”
“I was heading for the bathroom and saw some guy in the hall! What did you expect me to do?”
“Remember what happened last time you used that to threaten someone? The piece of crap went flying through the window…”
“The dude or the baseball bat?” I ask.
“Why didn’t you just leave the way we came in?” Amy sighs. “Or—here’s an idea—wake me up?”
“It was locked, and you were fast asleep. I thought I could just sneak out.”
“I live with a human motion detector. That was never going to happen.”
“So, what did you guys do last night?” Raven starts pleasantly. “You could’ve given me a heads-up, Amy. Youknowhow much I hate surprises.”
“Slow it down, Ravy. You might give the baby a panic attack, or something.”
“Like I said… We were studying,” I say.
“Yes, studying the app my sister told menothingabout.” Raven pouts.
Amy turns to me. “You told her about Campus Drivers? Seriously, what the fuck is going on, here?”
I wince. “Sorry! I told her we just fell asleep.”
Seems Amy’s sister is more like a mother figure, and I suddenly feel super guilty for putting her in a tight spot.
“We ‘fell asleep’?” Amy’s eyebrows shoot up.
A smirk spreads over Raven’s face. “Iknewhe was lying!”
“Oh my God, so you saw a guy come out of my room—somebody arrest me,” Amy drawls. “You know, you’re really reminding me of that fat-ass cop who used to stalk us back in the day…”
