need more beers.”
And just like that, she turns and walks off. I stare down at the beer that has now soaked my shirt and pants, and I curse loudly.
Well, fuck.
This ain’t goin’ to be easy.
The girl is gettin’ under my skin.
CHAPTER 4
CIARA - PAST
“W here are you going, Ciara?” my mother asks, following me down to the front door.
She hasn’t asked where I’m going, or whom I’m hanging out with for months. I know why she’s doing it now, because Cheyenne had a problem with her friend and is now sulking in her room, and I’m expected to stay and give her some company. Not going to happen. Cheyenne certainly wouldn’t do it for me. I meet my mother’s gaze, and shrug my shoulders. It’s so very teenager of me.
“I’m going out with a friend.”
“Cheyenne is upset, it would be nice if you supported her like most sisters would.”
I hate that. Just because she’s my sister, doesn’t mean I should have to drop everything for her. It takes much more to create a bond with someone, then just being blood related. Cheyenne has very rarely done anything for me. The whole ‘family bond’ thing doesn’t really cut it in this household. Sadly, it never has, but my mother still expects me to want to drop everything to help Cheyenne out when she’s in need. I don’t mind helping her either, when her problems aren’t petty and childish. I know for a fact this problem is just that.
“She’ll be fine.”
“Ciara, I am tired of all this attitude. You continually backchat me, and treat your sister like she’s no more than an acquaintance. She’s family. Family always comes first.”
I snort. “Yeah, well, funny she doesn’t have the same values when it comes to me.”
“Cheyenne would die for you, don’t be so selfish.”
I roll my eyes, and she crosses her arms.
“Sorry, Mom, but I’m busy tonight. Perhaps you and Cheyenne can have a girls night, because you do enjoy those...”
I’m being sarcastic and mean, but I don’t care.
She gives me the pained, hurt expression. “At least go and see her, she’s hurting.”
I sigh and growl loudly, before turning and storming up the stairs. I won’t get to walk out of this house until I see Cheyenne and listen to her bitch about a friend who did wrong by her, even though she was likely the one who started it. I get to her room, swing the door open, and find her lying in bed, staring out the window. It’s seriously like a movie. Next minute, it will be raining and a sad song will start playing. Can anyone say ‘drama queen?’
“What happened?” I say, though my voice sounds snappy.
She rolls, pinning me with a glare. “You don’t need to be here, Ciara. I know Mom is making you. I never asked you to care and we both know you don’t.”
Well shit, now she’s making me feel bad. I drop my bag at the door and walk over, sitting on her bed.
“I wanted to make sure you were ok before I left.”
Her eyes widen, and she sits. That’s all it takes to get her to talk. “I’m not, it’s Lisa.”
Ah, the beloved best friend, with whom she fights on a daily basis. I nod my head, encouraging her to go on and trying to ignore the fact that Danny will be here in five minutes.
“So, I was seeing this guy...you remember him? Jerald?”
What a stupid name.
“Anyway, things were going really well until this afternoon when I saw him at the café with Lisa. They were laughing and joking, like they were on a date.”
God save me.
“Maybe they just ran into each other...” I offer, trying to play it down as much as possible.
“Or maybe,” she snaps, “she was trying to steal my boyfriend.”
“Have you asked her?”
“No.”
“So you could be moping over nothing? Unless you ask her, then you shouldn’t be jumping to silly conclusions.”
“I knew I shouldn’t have spoken to you...” she growls. “You wouldn’t understand men. You just hang out with that idiotic motorcycle man who you say you don’t like, but we all
Cassandra Clare, Joshua Lewis