Page 17 of Crew Princess
He kept a strict curfew for us. We had to be home at midnight. But Channing knew, I knew, Heather knew, and Cross knew, that if we were going to sneak out, we were going to sneak out. Channing couldn’t do anything about it.
Things had been different this past week because Channing was gone a lot for his bounty-hunting business. His old crew members were around a lot more. Where Channing was, they were. If Channing was at the house, one of those guys was usually parked in the living room.
But for once, I was the one with the steadier household.
I didn’t have the parent drama. My dad was in prison. My mom was six feet under. I had older-brother drama, but no divorces, no break-ups. Channing and Heather were both doing well.
Yes. I was loving this. Did that make me the good kid here?
I thought about it.
Nah. I was still messed up. It just wasn’t coming out currently. I’d stuffed that bitch all the way deep inside.
Race was saying to Cross, “—be up for that?”
Cross’ face tightened. “I don’t think my mom’s in any position to judge right now.”
We needed to go. For real.
Race’s head bobbed, his hands on his hips. He moved his feet apart, adjusting his stance. “I’ll talk to Taz about it, see what she thinks your mom will think.”
“Tell her it’s for your safety, and she’ll be fine with it.” He started to walk away, but stopped. “Don’t fuck my sister in my bed. Don’t fuck my sister at all.”
Race just smiled.
Cross grimaced. “You dick.”
He held his hands up. “We’ve been dating for, like, five months.”
Cross motioned to me. “Took us nine years. Aim for that.” He patted Race on the chest, starting back down the hill.
Race barked a laugh. “You had a head start on me. I haven’t known your sister almost all my life.”
“Give it time. You’ll appreciate it better in nine years.”
Cross moved ahead of us, picking up the pace.
Race and I started after him, but I felt him trying to slow me down. I could hear people scattering farther down the hill. We needed to be there too. Then, having a feeling, I went with it and stopped suddenly.
“If you have something you want to talk to me about, get it out fast. We should already be driving away by now.” I motioned ahead.
Race frowned. “Listen.” He scratched his neck and tugged his collar away before letting it drop back in place. “I—uh…you’re friends with Taz, and you’re dating Cross. How do you handle that? I mean...where are the lines for you?”
I narrowed my eyes. “What’s going on?”
“It’s just a question. I mean, if something popped up that you think the other should know—”
“I’d tell Cross in a heartbeat.”
He stopped, his hand still at his collar. Then he let it fall to his side. “Fuck.”
“Why?”
He was rubbing his forehead now.
These were all signs of something coming down the pipeline I wouldn’t want to hear. But better to get this dealt with right away than let it simmer and fester. That was never good. I should know. That’s what I usually did.
“Out with it, Race. What’s going on?”
