I want to leave, I have no interest in their games tonight but the sight of Harley over Justin’s shoulder grinding up against some guy I don’t recognize in that ridiculous dress has me staying put.
I’m too busy watching her antics to notice the guys’ attention turn to me. But that’s all forgotten when Harley lets out a loud shriek that pierces through the booming music. Everyone looks her way but I’m quicker, I’m already in the room and ready to take down the guy she was with. But the second I see her run across the room on drunk unsteady legs, everything changes.
“You’re here,” Harley cries, throwing herself at Poppy who stands stock still in the entrance to the living room. Her eyes locked on me.
Relief, desire, and frustration engulf me as I run my eyes down the length of her. Her hair is curled and hanging in loose curls around her shoulders, her makeup is heavier than usual but flawless, and her body. Fuck. I bite down on the inside of my cheek as I take in her loose-fitted tank and the short skirt she’s got wrapped around her waist.
My cock swells, my fists clench with my need to go over there and drag her out of the room so that no other guy can look at her, but the moment she rips her eyes from mine and embraces my sister, I know I can’t.
Fueled by my anger, I storm out of the room and toward the pool area where there’s another huge crowd of kids.
Someone, no idea who, hands me a joint and I happily take it as I fall down on the lounger.
The crowd inside continues to dance and enjoy themselves while I sit here stewing.
Why’s she here? Did she take up Mom’s offer? Is she staying or is this just a flying visit?
Before long, the blunt is taken by someone else and my need for a drink begins to get the better of me.
Pushing from the lounger, I make my way to the kitchen, telling myself I’m just going to grab a soda, although my need to drown everything out right now with something stronger nags at me.
I’m almost at the kitchen when her voice has a shiver racing down my spine.
“Zayn?”
I still, desperate to turn around but not wanting to look into her eyes again if she’s going to dismiss me as easily as she did the last time I saw her.
“What?” I bark, without looking back, figuring it’s the easiest way to deal with the situation unless we want to make a huge scene.
“We need to get Harley home.”
Her words ruin whatever promises I’d just made to myself, and I find myself turning her way in an instant. Both Poppy and Ruby are holding on to a passed-out Harley.
“Fucking hell,” I mutter, stepping up to them and scooping my sister up into my arms. “Let’s go.” I pin Ruby with a look, she might still be standing but she’s in no better state.
I don’t look to see if they fall in line behind me as I march from Ethan’s house, I don’t need to. I know her eyes are drilling into my back.
I place Harley into the back of my truck before helping Ruby inside. I don’t bother assisting Poppy, instead, I just walk to the driver’s side and rip the door open.
We’ve barely pulled away from where I’d parked when I look back to find Ruby passed out behind me.
“Why are you here?” I ask, my voice rougher, my question harsher than I was intending.
“It’s good to see you too,” she sasses.
“I’m sorry, but the last time I saw you, you slammed a door in my face. Apologies if I’m not all that welcoming right now.” I focus on my anger, it helps my attempt to ignore how badly I want to pull her into my arms right now and never let go.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers, refusing to look at me and instead keeps her eyes out the windshield.
“You’re sorry for slamming the door or accusing me of going after a cheer slut the second you left?”
“Uh… both, I guess. I wasn’t—I’m not—in a great place right now.”
My grip on the wheel tightens, my knuckles turning white. I don’t want to make her life any harder right now but fuck… having her turn me away like that. I won’t lie, it was brutal.
I know I fucked up the night before letting Laurie get close, but nothing happened. I try to ignore the little voice in the back of my head that screams what I might have done had Ruby not been there. I hate that it’s right. I could so easily have done something stupid that night.
I pull up outside my house and jump from the car before she has a chance to say anything, not that I’m sure she wants to.
I lift Harley into my arms once again as Poppy wakes Ruby enough for her to stagger inside.
After depositing them on Harley’s bed, we both back out of the room, closing the door shut behind us.
“So what now?” Poppy asks, making me still where I was making my way to the stairs.
“Now? I need a fucking drink.”
I take two steps but I don’t get to descend.
“Zayn, please. We need to talk.”
“Talk?” I balk. “That’s what I came to do the other day. I—”
“Please, Zayn. I need…”
Blowing out a long breath, I turn around. My eyes lock on to her sad, lost ones and I cave. Only when I move for her, she retreats until she’s at one of our guest bedroom doors. She pushes it open and walks inside.
I stalk toward her, my pulse thundering around my body with my need for her.
“Poppy, don’t run from me.”
“Zayn, we just need to…” She swallows nervously as I close the door, shutting us off from the rest of the house. “T-talk.”
“I know.”
She bumps up against the wall, but I don’t stop. I don’t stop until I’m pressed right up against her body with her heat burning into me.
“And we will talk. Right after we—”
My hand slides into her hair as my lips crash down to hers.
Fuck, I’ve missed this.
She stills for a few seconds, and I start to think she’s going to push me away. I lean into her, my cock pressing against her stomach, trying to show her just how much I need her, and she finally caves and parts her lips for me.
A groan rumbles up my throat as her tongue glides against mine and she hooks her leg up around my waist.
Gripping on to the back of her thighs, I lift her, pinning her to the wall with my hips and pressing myself against her core.
“Zayn,” she moans when I rip my lips from hers and begin kissing down her neck.
“Missed you, Pops,” I breathe against her skin, causing goose bumps to break out.
Her nails scratch at my scalp as I get lower. “We shouldn’t.” Any attempt to actually stop me fails the second I push the straps of her top from her shoulders. “Oh God.”
“You’re right, Pops. We probably shouldn’t. But doesn’t that just make it so much hotter.”
The fabric passes her nipples and I hungrily suck one into my mouth as she cries out, her head hitting the wall behind her.
“You need to be quiet,” I warn, going for the other side.
“Your… your mom is o-out.”
“Oh, now you tell me.”
Spinning her from the wall, I throw her down on the guest bed, watching her bounce as she settles.
She props herself up on her elbows as I rip my shirt off and drop to my knees at the end of the bed.