“Your designs on Sloane are none of my business. That’s between the two of you.”
“Make sure it stays that way.”
Laughter filters into the kitchen. Kiera steps back and plasters on a fake smile. I want to roll my eyes but resist. Jesus, I just want to go home.
“Sloane, hey,” Kiera says with far too much enthusiasm. Pia, bless her heart, doesn’t refrain from her eye roll.
“Oh, hi Kiera,” Sloane replies.
“Wanna hang out later?” Kiera asks, stepping into Sloane’s personal space. “Thought we could pick up from where we left it last night.”
My stomach rolls. What did they do last night?
Sloane looks…confused? Her eyes dart to me and then back to Kiera. She doesn’t remember, that much is obvious.
“Um, sorry…I don’t remember much of last night,” Sloane stutters. I kind of feel bad for her. All eyes are on her and Kiera, and I’m guessing she’d prefer the exact opposite.
Kiera goes to reply, but Becca steps in. “Kiera, she told you last night she’s not interested. Take a hint.”
A warm feeling trickles down my nervous system. Sloane rejected Kiera. Thank fuck.
“Didn’t seem that way when her tongue was in my mouth,” Kiera retorts.
“You mean the second kiss you landed on her without consent? Both times!” Becca replies cooly. Sloane is going bright red.
“She kissed me back,” Kiera says hotly.
Becca doesn’t back down one inch. “Sloane was wasted and thought you were someone else!”
At this, Sloane’s eyes go wide and her gaze darts to me. Did…did she think it was me before realising it was Kiera?
Pfft. No way. I’m not that lucky.
“I’d like to go home now,” I blurt. Sloane looks mortified, and I don’t want her to be in the middle of this shit show any longer. “Thanks for the party, Bryce,” I say, hopping off the stool. “See you in class.”
Becca is still squaring off with Kiera as I pass by. My hand hovers just above Sloane’s lower back. “Ready?”
She nods but doesn’t look me in the eye. Pia and Todd look like deer in headlights but take the hint when I nod in the direction of the door.
The weather is gorgeous outside, and I momentarily envy Bryce for living in the middle of a forest. It would be a great place to walk with Sloane.
Oh my god, I actually just thought of walking in a positive light. Ew.
“I’ll drive,” I say. “None of you are in a fit state to operate a vehicle.”
Becca doesn’t protest. She lobs me the car keys and we pile in. Sloane sits in the back with Pia and Todd. Becca rides shotgun.
“Um, where’s Bella?” Pia suddenly asks.
“She left an hour ago,” Becca replies. “She had a thing to go to and asked her mom to pick her up.”
“I’ll text her,” Pia says to no one in particular.
Side-eying Becca, I desperately want to ask what happened between them last night. My guess is Becca and Bella became very well acquainted, which is pretty stellar. Bella’s fucking amazing, and I’m starting to think Becca is just as awesome. They’d make a great couple.
Although, I thought Becca was straight, so…
Becca notices me looking and blushes. I give her a smile, hoping to convey…well, I don’t know, really. Just that I think she’s cool. Or their secret’s safe with me? One of those.
