Loyalty (RiffRaff Records Book 4) Page 16

I had my arm around my girlfriend, and we were talking to my mom. We were a couple, with no drama, with no reason to hide. My cousins were missing out. Easy and in love felt real fucking good.

  Crue still wasn’t speaking to me, but he was here, so that was a start in my opinion. My twin knew how to hold a grudge and ice someone out. If he was really pissed? He’d have skipped breakfast all together.

  “I feel terrible that you leave tomorrow and we didn’t get to spend much time together.” My mom squeezed Katie’s hand. “Come to dinner tonight? I’ll make whatever your favorite thing is.” My mom was practically beaming. For all she knew, Crue was a player and I’d never dated anyone. I was surprised she hadn’t hogtied Katie and locked her in our nonexistent basement.

  “My favorite food is mac and cheese.” Katie winced. “Like the really cheap kind that comes in a box.”

  My mom laughed. “Then that’s what we’ll have.” Avory came up to us, and my mom put her arm around Avory’s shoulders. “And I’m sure this one will come too.” She whispered out the side of her mouth. “Lex is the worst cook.”

  “I heard that.” Aunt Lexi made a face at my mom from across the patio.

  She could hear my mom whisper from ten feet away but she couldn’t hear her daughter sneaking out? How was that even possible?

  “Hey, can I talk to you for a second?” Crue appeared out of nowhere and grabbed Avory’s arm, trying to pull her away.

  “Crue, don’t manhandle her like that.” My mom slapped his hand. “What’s wrong with you?”

  His eyes darted from Aunt Lo to me, and back again. He looked panicked, like he was seconds away from throwing up all over our shoes. “I, uh, I need her help with—”

  “Uh, Luke, which one of your twins is in this picture our publicist just sent over?” Uncle Smith spoke up over the noise, getting to his feet and handing his phone to my dad. His face was hard, his jaw clenched in anger.

  I swear I stopped breathing when my dad closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Okay. Well. Since there is a random topless girl in this one, I’m assuming it’s Crue.” My dad looked up, glancing between the two of us.

  “No.” Avory shook her head. “It’s Cash, right?” She shook loose from Crue’s grip, turning pleading eyes my way. “You had a date last night, didn’t you?”

  Katie backed away from my side, her smile long gone. “What? Is that where you were before you came over? Is that what you wanted to talk to me about? I thought you said no.”

  “I did, baby, I did say no. I swear, I…” Realization finally dawned on me when I glanced up and saw Crue’s skin drain of color. Crue went out with Melanie, and then he let her blackmail him into so much more than a simple date. His eyes darted to Avory, and I followed his gaze. She was trying hard to fight the tears, and was blinking rapidly.

  In that instant, I felt like my heart was being torn in two. I could either lie to the girl I loved to save my twin, or I could tell the truth and watch Avory shatter. I opened my mouth, still not sure of what was going to happen. A truth or a lie? Save myself, or save my best friend?

  But Crue beat me to it. “I hooked up with some random girl last night, who the hell cares? It’s not like it’s something new or anything. Obviously I should have had her sign an NDA, but hindsight’s twenty-twenty. She’s over eighteen, the whole thing will blow over in a few days.” His words and his tone were careless and disinterested. But his face told a different story. His jaw was clenched and his knuckles were pressing into the table so hard they were going to bruise. He’d seen the indecision on my face; he knew there was a chance that I’d still lie for him. And he’d stopped me.

  When Avory grabbed the back of her chair, swaying a little on her feet, he reached for her. It was automatic.

  “Avory, sweetheart, are you okay?” Aunt Lexi leaned across the table, putting the back of her hand against her daughter’s forehead. “You look a little pale.”

  “I’m fine.” Avory gave the table a weak smile. “Crue’s level of fuck boy made me a little dizzy that’s all.”

  “Are you sure? Is there something else…? Is there anything we should know? You seem upset. There isn’t, uh, there isn’t anything going on between you two is there?” Aunt Lex gestured between Avory and Crue, and every person in the know held their breath. We were all quiet, but I was silently screaming at them. Screaming for them to come clean, to tell the truth, to be honest and let us all try to help them fix what had broken in front of us.

  “No.” Avory turned her head slightly, finally looking at Crue. I watched her face, I saw the second she slipped her mask back into place. A sassy smile on her face. “Don’t be silly. There is absolutely nothing between Crue and me.”

  Halen spoke up, changing the subject and immediately taking the attention off of her little sister. I couldn’t tell you what she said. My eyes were on Avory as she quietly took Wyatt when Landry handed him to her, giving her a reason to leave the table. Then I turned to the right in time to see Crue snag a vodka bottle off the bar and head to the gate. Avory went one way, and Crue went the other. And for the first time in two years, I knew that they weren’t going to meet up on the other side.

  All the lies and all the sneaking around—everything all of us had done to help, all the sacrifices I’d made…they were all for nothing. Crue destroyed it all in the span of one night. He couldn’t tell the truth, and it had ruined them.

  “I’m falling in love with Katie.” I spoke loudly, getting everyone’s attention. “I know it’s fast and I know we just met, but, there it is.” I reached for her hand, kissing the back of it with a smile on my face. “And Uncle Dash, you aren’t going crazy. I come in through her window, and usually, I leave through it too.” I laughed quietly. “In fact, I’ve been coming through that window on and off since the day Beau first left. I used to keep Halen company at night. We’d watch movies and I’d hold her while she cried herself to sleep.” I sent Beau an apologetic shrug. “I, uh, I don’t want to lie anymore.” And I didn’t, but the rest of my lies led to truths that weren’t mine to share. So I exorcised all the demons I could with the space I had. “Well. I feel better.”

  “So. You’re in love with Katie and you used to climb into Halen’s window at night to take care of her after Beau broke her heart?” When I nodded, Uncle Dash continued, “All in all, it’s not the worst confession we’ve had at this table.”

  “I love him too.”

  My head whipped to the side. “What did you say?”

  “I figured if we were spouting out truths, then I should share mine too.” She shrugged. “I’m in love with Cash, which feels a little crazy and a lot amazing to say. I, uh, I got a tattoo and I went skinny dipping in your pool. I trespassed and I tried to get Cash to tip a cow for me.” She held up a finger. “Oh, also, I applied and got accepted at UCLA. I’m moving there in August.”

  “UCLA?” That’s where she wanted to go to school?

  “You what?”

  “Mom?” Katie’s eyes got wide and her jaw dropped to the ground.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Katie

  My mom and I were alone inside the pool house. After I’d overshared at the table, she’d marched over and grabbed my arm, hauling me inside one of the bedrooms and shutting the door. She was now sitting on the bed with her eyes closed, taking deep breaths.

  “So, um, how much of that little monologue did you hear?”

  “All of it.” She opened her eyes and lifted her chin. “Start explaining, from the beginning.”

  “I met Cash the first night I was here. He was kind to me. He drove me home. After that we started hanging out, as friends, nothing more. I liked who I was when I was with him. He doesn’t see me the way I see me.”

  “And how do you see you, Katie?” She still sounded pissed.

  “Sheltered, boring. I see myself as some who has never truly lived.” I looked down at my lap, twisting my fingers together. “I don’t have any friends. You guys never gave me the option of public scho
ol. I’ve never dated.” I picked my head up, meeting her eyes. “You guys treat me like I’m going to disappear at any moment.”

  “And yet we agreed to let you spend the week here, with people you haven’t seen since you were a baby.” She scoffed. “Obviously we made a terrible mistake.”

  “No. No part of this week has been a mistake.” I filled my lungs with air, and with courage. “I met a boy, and we fell in love. I laughed and I danced. I made friends, and I got a tattoo.” I stood, lifting my dress to show her. “And you know what? The man who gave me this, tattooed my heartbeat on my dad’s ribs a few weeks before he died.” I dropped my clothes back in place. “I learned how to be on my own. I learned to stand up for what I want. I learned that I can make it. I can be without you guys. I can be without security and bodyguards.” I took her hands in mine. “I want to go to UCLA. I want to live my own life. And as much as I’d love your blessing, I don’t have to have it.” The Devil’s Spawn taught me that. They taught me that parents didn’t always know best, and you didn’t need their approval to be happy. “I have my own money, and I can do this on my own.”

  “I’m at a bit of a loss here, Katie.” She rubbed her forehead. “I haven’t seen you in a week and then I arrive and the first thing I hear is a list of all the rules you’ve broken in the past six days? What am I supposed to say to all this?”

  A large part of me wanted to back down, it truly did. Being with my mom, hearing her disappointment in me…it was stealing some of the strength I’d gained over the last week. I glanced out the window, taking in the people I’d come to know. Some of them I’d come to love. I shook my head, refusing to let go of the independence I’d found. “You could say that you missed me. You could say that you’re happy for me. You could say that you’d like to meet my boyfriend. You could say that you think my tattoo is awesome and you could say congratulations on getting into UCLA.”

  “Katie.” She let out an exasperated sigh. “Your father is going to be so upset with you.”

  “You’re right.” I spared another look out the window. Cash was standing on the steps of the pool, his back to the house. “But, I’m eighteen. I’m moving out in August, and I’m in love with a boy that makes me laugh.” I drew my shoulders up, sending her a small apologetic smile. “So there isn’t too much that could bring me down at this point.”

  She snorted and my eyes went wide.

  “Are you laughing?” She did it again but covered her mouth with her hand, trying and failing to hold it in. “Mom?”

  “I’m sorry. I keep picturing that cute boy who was holding your hand trying to tip a cow.” After she said cow, she lost the battle with her laughter.

  I giggled. “It was pretty funny.”

  She sobered a little. “Did you have sex with him?”

  “The cow?” I wrinkled my nose and she swatted at my leg.

  “You know what I mean, young lady.”

  I did. And I was really dreading answering that question. I swallowed, making sure my voice was clear. Confident. “I did.”

  “Oh, Katie.” My mom frowned, tears filling her eyes. Wow, her range of emotions today was vast. “Were you careful at least? Was he nice to you? Did he pressure you?”

  “Yes we were careful, and yes he was kind.” I took her hands in mine, looking her right in the eye. “It doesn’t matter if I’m with Cash the rest of the summer, or the rest of the year, or the rest of my life. I’ll never, ever, regret being with him.”

  She sagged a little, like she was suddenly exhausted. “I worry about you every second of every day, Bug. You and your brother are the only things that matter to me.”

  “Mom.” I squeezed her hands. “It’s time to let go a bit.” I shook her hands, making her start to smile again. “It’ll be good for you, and it’ll be even better for me.”

  “UCLA, huh?” She bit her lips together. “How much you want to bet that your dad takes surfing back up as a hobby?”

  I threw my arms around her neck, hugging her tightly. “I missed you, Mom.”

  “I missed you too, Bug.” She kissed my hair, and then held me at arm’s length. “Now, take me outside and introduce me to your adorable boyfriend.”

  ***

  “Knock, knock.” I tapped on the side of Cash’s window. “See how that works?” I jumped, more falling inside his room than climbing gracefully like he always seemed to do.

  “What are you doing here, baby? I thought you and your mom were having dinner at Uncle Dash’s.” He helped me to my feet then lifted me up. I crossed my ankles behind his back and he sat down on the edge of his bed.

  “First of all, anything that your Aunt Lexi cooks should never be consumed by humans.” I took his ball cap off his head, placing it on mine backward. “Second of all, her and my mom opened a bottle of wine and she became real agreeable to me coming to see you.”

  After they’d met earlier today, my mom had pulled me aside and pretty much given me her blessing. She’d adored Cash, and why wouldn’t she? He was handsome and hilarious. He was kind and chivalrous, and he was in love with her daughter.

  “Think she’ll notice if you stay the night?” He placed open-mouth kisses against my collarbone.

  “I think our sleepover days are behind us until you come to visit me at school.” I held my breath, afraid that he’d changed his mind. That UCLA was too far away and he didn’t want to try the whole long-distance thing. It’s not like I could really blame him, but if he loved me like he said he loved me…

  “About UCLA.”

  “I knew it.” I climbed off his lap, immediately close to tears. “I knew you’d think it was too far. It’s too far, right?”

  He grinned, lunging for my hands and bringing me back to him. “It’s actually not that far.” I narrowed my eyes in confusion, because it was real effin far from Austin. Like real far. “Pepperdine is only like twenty-something miles from UCLA.”

  My jaw dropped open. “What?”

  He put his hands on my lower back, sliding them under my shirt. “I guess I’ve been too scared to talk about the future this week. I knew I was going out of state, and I was terrified you were headed to the east coast or something.” He unhooked my bra, making room to move his hands around to the front, palming my breasts. “I never in a million years would have thought you’d be gunning for UCLA.”

  “So the only time we’ll have to be apart is while I finish out the Europe dates of my dad’s tour?” I was so happy, and so excited, that I felt giddy. I felt like I was vibrating, clichély high on love.

  He brushed his thumbs over my nipples and I automatically ground against his hardening cock. “Actually, that was what I wanted to talk to you about last night. I did something a little impulsive.”

  I rested my hands on his knees, arching my spine. “You mean other than falling in love with a stranger in a matter of days?”

  “I went online and booked flights and hotels for all of your dad’s stops in Europe.”

  My eyes flew open and I sat up straight. “Are you serious?”

  He nodded. Then pinched both my nipples. “That okay?”

  “Yes?”

  His eyebrows rose. “Is that a question?”

  I shook my head, smiling so big my cheeks hurt. “No. I’m so happy and surprised and so freaking in love with you.” I fisted his shirt in my hands. “I never thought my life could ever be this—”

  “Crazy? Loud? Weird? Dramatic?”

  “Wonderful.”

  “Well, get used to it Katie Bug.” He winked before claiming my mouth, his tongue twisting as he took the kiss deeper.

  He laid me down on his bed, threading his fingers with mine, holding my hands above my head. We stayed like that, two teenagers making out in a stolen moment. He didn’t try to take things any further, and I didn’t ask him to. After the whirlwind week we’d had together, it felt nice? to be…normal.

  We left his bedroom door open, and we kept our clothes on.

  Part of me hoped his dad would walk by
and clear his throat, and we’d have to stop.

  There was something to be said for growing up, but in my opinion, there was as much to be said for acting exactly your age.

  Chapter Thirty

  Katie

  Early the next morning my mom and I were sitting alone in the pool house kitchen. We’d stayed here instead of the Conners’ house. There was more room, more space, and more privacy. We were sitting side-by-side, drinking coffee and enjoying an easy silence.

  When she reached for a muffin I grabbed her hand. “Where did those come from?”

  “Lexi sent them with us last night when we left.” She was frowning, looking at me in confusion. “Why?”

  I took the muffin out of her hand and chucked it into the garbage. “Trust me.” She studied me over the rim of her coffee cup as I cleared my throat, sitting up higher in my seat before speaking again. “I need to tell you something.”

  “Other than what I’ve already learned in the last twelve hours? Did you get another tattoo? Planning on eloping in Vegas?”

  I grinned, humorlessly. “Funny.”

  “I thought so.” She laughed quietly and put her hand on my knee. “What’s up, Bug?”

  “Cash, in this grand romantic gesture, booked plane tickets and hotels to come with me on the European leg of Dad’s tour.” When my mom raised her eyebrows, I rushed to continue. “He wanted to be with me while I got to see the world, which is really like one of the sweetest things ever. And, I want to tell Dad. I want to talk to him about it before Cash shows up side stage, you know?”

  She nodded. “I think that would be wise, yes.”

  “Would you mind staying here another day?” I put my coffee cup back on the counter. “I want to fly to London, alone. I want to get a cab and meet Dad for dinner. I want to talk to him about Cash.”

  I’d been lying awake last night, alone in my bed for the first time in days, and thought about how my dad would react. Blindsiding him with Cash wasn’t an option. And I didn’t want my mom to be the one to tell him. I kept saying that I was an adult; it was time to let my actions speak for themselves. “This is something I need to do, and I need to do it on my own.”