“Yeah, but I didn’t say I wanted to drive all the way out here.”
“Carter, quit your bitchin’.” I kicked the back of his chair, sinking further down the back seat. “My head feels like it’s going to explode.”
“What’s up with that?” Zane asked.
“Just a headache.”
I didn’t want to tell them the truth. That I’d been kept up half the night listening to my father and Jessa go at it. Somewhere during round two it had turned nasty and Jessa’s moans had become screams of rage until stuff started smashing and clattering against the wall.
In the end, I’d grabbed a pillow and my duvet cover and slept out in my car. She’d woken me up this morning by knocking on the window with an apology muffin and a mug of coffee, but it didn’t replenish the decent night’s sleep I’d missed out on.
The guys wanted to go for a drive so I’d said I would tag along. But Kye landed babysitting duty first.
We pulled up outside Crêpe-a-licious and Kye cut the engine.
“You’re coming in?” Chloe balked. “Because you don’t need to do that. Brianne is—”
“I’m hungry for crêpes.” Kye glanced back at me and Zane, wearing a shit-eating grin. “Are you two hungry for crêpes?”
“I could eat.” Zane shrugged, shouldering the door.
“Guys, come on. You can go. I don’t need—” But her protests were drowned out as we climbed out of Kye’s car and headed inside.
“Guys, seriously.” Chloe grabbed my arm, and I dropped my eyes to where her fingers curled around my wrist.
She immediately let me go huffing out, “This is completely unnecessary.”
“Naw, little bit.” Zane ruffled her hair. “We’re not embarrassing you, are we?”
Her friend Brianne smothered a laugh, watching the four of us from behind the counter. “You didn’t say you were bringing Kye and the guys,” she said.
“I didn’t bring them.” Chloe rolled her eyes.
“Hey, Bri,” Kye said. “What’s good?”
“Depends on what you’re in the mood for. I’m all about the savory options right now. The spinach and cheese is amazing.”
“Sounds good to me. Load her up.” He winked and Chloe’s friend blushed right to the tips of her ears.
“You dog,” I whispered, and he elbowed me in the ribs. “She’s a junior, man. Behave.”
“Like that’s ever stopped you before,” Zane scoffed.
“She’s my sister’s best friend.”
“Again, like that’s ever—”
“I can hear you, you know?” Chloe glowered at the three of us. “And I’ll tell you two what I told Kye last year. Come anywhere near any of my friends and I will gut you like a fish.”
“Ooh, little bit. I’m shaking in my boots.” Zane smirked, and she flipped him off.
‘She makes it so easy,’ he mouthed at me, and I shook my head.
Chloe Carter was something else and part of me was almost disappointed we wouldn’t be around next year to watch her kick senior year’s ass.
“One spinach and cheese.” Brianne slid a container toward Kye. “What about you guys?” she asked me and Zane.
“I’ll have whatever he’s having,” he said, and she turned her full attention on me.
“Okay, I’ll have a banana and hazelnut spread, please.”
“Oooh, good choice.”
Brianne set about making our crêpes. The doorbell chimed and I glanced back at the sound of laughter.
“Well, well, what do we have here?” Marc Denby stepped forward. “You know this is DA territory, right?”
“Don’t be an asshole, Denby,” Kye said. “This place has always been neutral.”
“Bull. Shit. It’s ours and everyone—
“No fighting in the store,” Brianne said. “Or you’ll be banned.”
“Says who?”
“Says me.” An older man appeared from out back and leveled Denby with a hard look. “This is my store and I make the rules, son. Now you can either stay and eat, or you can leave. Choice is all yours.”
Marc ran his eyes over the three of us, scowling. But surprisingly, he conceded. “We’re not here to cause trouble.”
“Good. If you need me, Brianne, I’ll be in my office.”
“Sure thing, Uncle Decker.”
Uncle.
“Well shit,” I whispered. “I never realized Brianne’s uncle owned this place.”
She handed me and Zane our desserts and Chloe ordered, the two of them chatting about Chloe’s date last night.
“I’m going to sit. I don’t want to listen to this shit.” Kye headed for one of the empty booths.
“Here.” I dug out my wallet and threw a twenty down on the counter. “For all four of us.”
“You got it.” Brianne smiled, but there was no heat there.
We slid into the booth, and I watched Denby and his friends goof around in the line.
“Who’s the new guy?” I asked no one in particular.
“Nate Miller.” Chloe joined us, sliding in next to her brother. “His dad is good friends with Michael Rowe.”
I went rigid. A bolt of anger darting through me.
“I don’t know whether to be impressed or freaked the fuck out that you know all of this.”
“I spend a lot of time here with Brianne. I hear things.” She went still, her eyes glazing over slightly.
“Clo?” Kye whispered.
But I heard him then. Denby running his big fucking mouth.
“A little birdie tells me you’re making a play for Maguire?”
Nate’s eyes flicked to mine as if he’d clocked me the moment he’d stepped inside. “Who, Harleigh?” He held my stare as he answered. “She’s a pretty girl.”
“Nix,” someone hissed but I couldn’t be sure who over the roar of blood between my ears.
“You’re a brave fucker, Nate. Braver than me if you’re willing to dip your end into that piece of trailer trash. Who knows where she’s been.”
I saw red.
One minute I was in the booth, the next I had my hand around Denby’s throat, and his body pressed up against the wall. “Say that again,” I growled.
“Easy, Nix. Easy…” Zane said, but I couldn’t think. Couldn’t see past Denby running his mouth about Harleigh.
Fuck.
Fuck.
“I suggest you get your fucking hands off me,” he smirked. “Before the cops show up and throw your sorry ass in jail.”
I released him with a hard shove and stepped back, running a hand down my face.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” He chuckled darkly. “But good to know you still care. I’m sure Harleigh will be really—”
I lunged for him again, but strong arms yanked me backward. “Calm down,” Kye hissed. “Calm the fuck down.”
“What’s going on out here?” Brianne’s uncle appeared, clutching his cell phone. “You three,” he said, pinning me, Kye, and Zane with a disdainful look. “Get out of here, all of you.”