Chapter Nine
Maisie
“Morning, sleepyhead.”
I blink once, then twice, before Lyric’s face comes into view, her shiny brown locks falling forward around her face as she leans over me.
“Morning,” I croak, my throat feeling like I’ve spent the night gargling sand.
Stretching, I groan at the stiffness in my back from sleeping on Lyric and Kai’s couch. Then again, my brother is sleeping on the floor, his light snore filling the room as he lies sprawled out on his back, so I guess out of the two of us, I should count myself lucky. Sometimes it does pay to be a female, especially when it comes to men like Kai and my brother, who have a much greater respect for women than a lot of other guys I know.
Macallan’s face flashes through my mind, the events of last night and what led me to sleep on Kai and Lyric’s couch to begin with coming to the forefront of my thoughts.
Lana drugging Joey. Mac and I driving him to the hospital. The police.
My stomach churns nervously at the reality of what I’m likely going to have to face today.
“What time is it?”
Lyric straightens as I force myself upright before swinging my legs over the side of the couch.
“Almost eight. You mentioned having to go to the police station at ten, so I thought it best to wake you so you’d have time to get dressed and stuff.”
“I do,” I confirm, stretching my arms over my head, trying to sort out the ache in my back. “Thank you.”
“You can borrow something of mine if you don’t want to go back to your dorm right now,” she offers, plopping down on the couch next to me where my legs were lying just seconds ago.
“I appreciate that, but I should really go home and check on things. If I’m lucky, Lana won’t have destroyed all of my belongings when I get there.”
“You think she’d do that?”
“After last night, I wouldn’t put anything past her.”
“Maybe it’s best you don’t stay there right now. I mean, at least until you know the outcome of all of this.”
“I don’t really have much of an option.” I blow out a hard breath.
“You could stay here.”
I meet her hazel eyes before letting my gaze trace over the soft freckles that pepper her nose and cheeks. She truly has no idea how pretty she is, which honestly only makes her more so.
“I appreciate the offer, but the last thing you and Kai need is me crashing on your couch for the foreseeable future. Not to mention, if last night was any indication as towhat I might have to endure...” I let my words trail off, not missing the slight blush that slides up her neck before spilling across her cheeks.
“You heard us?”
“Pretty sure the whole block heard you.” I laugh.
“I’m so sor—”
“Do not apologize.” I cut her off before she can finish. “At least one of us is having sex good enough to make the sounds you were making last night.” I wink.
Her blush deepens.
“Perhaps Char and River then? They have a second bedroom at least.”
“Please.” I snort. “Those two are even worse than you and Kai.”
Her nose crinkles in disgust.
