Page 76 of Crew Princess
“I’m sorry, Cross.”
He shook his head, sighing. “You ever grow up and find out most of your life was a lie? ’Cause that’s how I feel right now.”
That I could feel. That I could understand.
“Yeah.”
One word, so simple, but Cross remembered. A wall fell from around him, one I hadn’t realized was there, and he reached for my hand. “God, Bren. I’m sorry. I’m pissing and moaning about my family when—”
I stopped him. “I grew up in a house where there were no lies. It was obvious Channing hated everyone. My mom was dying. My dad was an alcoholic. I mean, I have no idea how to relate to your situation except that you’re losing your family, and that...” I laced our fingers together, squeezing. “That I can relate to, and that sucks.”
He nodded. “I’m sorry for not letting you in.” He motioned in the direction the guys had gone. “Them too. It wasn’t really a decision to keep you guys out. I was trying to keep myself out. I didn’t want to deal. You know?”
I understood. “Yeah,” I whispered as I rested my forehead against his. “But don’t do it again.”
He cracked a grin. “Deal.”
“Oh-kay!” Jordan’s voice boomed behind us. He and Zellman were suddenly there, marching over the sand. Both had their arms full of wood and coolers. “We were waiting, but saw you two about to start macking, so we figured it was safe again.”
Zellman frowned down at us. “What’s going on? Asshole wouldn’t tell me, so you have to. Now.” He tightened his hold on the logs against his chest. “Tell me, or I’m dropping a log on your shoes right now, and I may not be talking about the wood I’m holding.”
I scowled. “That’s the grossest threat I’ve heard from you.”
Zellman didn’t break. “Spill the beans, or I’m spilling different beans.” His fixed us with a blank stare. “Don’t think I’m bluffing.”
We didn’t.
Which is why we loved him.
Cross stood, taking some of the logs. “How about we make a fire, grill some food, drink some booze, and I’ll fill you in during the process?”
Zellman grunted. “Why didn’t you just do that in the first place? Do you think I enjoy resorting to threats? It hurts my soul.”
We all snorted. That was such a lie.
Zellman grinned.
“Is that him?” Zellman popped up from the back of Jordan’s truck.
“What?” Cross looked, leaning forward, then rested back again. “No. I told you, I only saw one picture of him, and it was when he was little—like twelve or something. He plays soccer.” He paused a beat. “And he has brown hair. That kid has bleached blond hair.”
We weren’t at school. We weren’t where we should’ve been. Nope. After telling Zellman everything, Z had suggested we stay up all night drinking, then come to Fallen Crest Academy once our buzz had worn off to scope the half-brother.
“I want to see him.” That’s what he said, and that started off the chain of events.
And because both Jordan and Cross had been feeling a buzz already, they’d heralded it as the best idea ever. So here we were. Scoping.
My phone rang, and seeing Channing’s name on the screen, I muttered a curse.
Cross looked and laughed. “You didn’t tell him we’d be out last night?”
I groaned. “You know the answer to that. I just got this thing yesterday.”
It kept ringing.
Jordan shook his head, still watching out the window. “Just answer it. We don’t want your brother tracking you here and having Moose or Congo showing up to haul us back.”
“Yeah.” Zellman’s head pushed in through the back window, narrowly missing mine. His breath wafted over my ear. “Especially when we’re trying to do espionage shit.”
