“I’m sorry, Li,” Destiny says with a cringe. “The timing’s just really bad.”
It’s Thursday. I’ve got five days to figure out how to get to L.A. Jon has a car. But I deflate at the certainty his parents would never let him skip school to take me. I could seriously get the gambling going at school like we did at Wells High, but that was really Lo’s thing, and five days isn’t enough time to make any serious bank anyway.
The press of hot tears tightens my throat, but I swallow them back. Crying is useless and stupid and only serves to make sure everyone knows exactly how weak you are. I don’t cry. Ever.
But, despite my resolve, I feel my eyes dampen. I turn and shove through the door before anyone notices. When I run smack into a solid wall of cement on the other side, I look up through blurry eyes at six foot plus of dark-haired brood.
Despite that I’m flailing for balance, I look away. Destiny seeing me cry would have been bad. Bran seeing it is worse.
He grabs my arms to steady me. When he lifts my chin, I close my eyes. The action forces a tear pooling in the corner over my lashes. He starts to thumb it away, but I yank out of his grasp and scrub it off myself.
His jaw grinds tight and those dark eyes glow death. “What happened, Lilah? Did someone hurt you?”
I shake my head. “No. Nothing like that. I’m fine.”
His expression softens as his eyes scour my face for the truth. “I may not have women quite figured out, but I’m pretty sure when they leak it means there’s a problem.”
“I just had something in my eye,” I say, pressing my knuckles into it.
He gives me a slow, skeptical nod. “Okay.”
I’m usually a really good liar, but with Bran, all my wires get crossed and I forget myself. I blow out a defeated sigh. “Shiloh got Destiny and me tickets for The Voice final, but our car’s in the shop and we’re saving everything we can to get it fixed. We can’t afford bus tickets.”
“Where and when?” he asks.
I sniffle and wipe my arm under my nose. “Tuesday in L.A.”
He glances at the battered wooden door to the bar. “Tuesday’s are slow. Mom can cover the bar for me. I’ll drive you down.”
The flood of relief nearly drowns me. “Oh my god! Seriously?”
He smiles this heart-stopping smile. “Seriously.”
Before common sense kicks back in, I spring into his arms. “Holy shit!” But then I realize where I am and draw back. “Sorry.”
He lets me go, but his eyes burn into mine. “You’ve got nothing to be sorry for. I think I’ve made it pretty damn clear I’m good with you there.”
I take a deep breath and chew my lip. “You should date Destiny.”
He holds my gaze. “I’ve already told both of you that’s not happening.”
“Why?” I challenge, and I realize on the wave of frustration that word rides that I need to know if it’s because of me.
“Either you’re into someone or you’re not. I’m not into Destiny. I shouldn’t have slept with your sister. I knew that a minute after it happened. If I could undo it, I would. But if she’s holding out some hope of a thing between us, it’s because she didn’t hear me when I told her it wasn’t going to happen.” He takes a deep breath and shakes his head. “The honest to fuck truth is, if I’d met you first, we wouldn’t be having this conversation, because I would have taken you home that night, and the night after that, and every night since. I’ve never done a real relationship in my life, but you make me think it might be worth a shot.”
It is because of me. I ruined this for my sister.
I shake my head and back away another step. “I’ll check Amtrak.”
His jaw tightens. “You’re not taking the damn Amtrak, Lilah. Tell Destiny I’ll bring you guys down and drop you at the studio. I’ve got a buddy from my unit down there. I can hang with him while you guys are at the show.”
“Is this going to be weird? You, me, and Destiny?” I already know the answer before I ask. It’s going to be excruciating.
He shrugs. “Not for me. I’ve got nothing to hide. I’ve been up front with both of you.”
And I’ve lied to everyone. “Then you get the gold star.”
He lifts my face with a finger under my chin and holds me in his intense gaze. “You tell me what you want me to do, Lilah. I’m not a great actor, but if you want me to pretend to Destiny that you don’t light my fuse, I’ll give it my best shot.”
I shake my head out of his grasp, then keep shaking it, because lightning has struck me dead with the realization I’m totally falling for Bran. I know this because of the panic rising like a tsunami inside of me.
There’s no way the three of us can spend hours trapped in a car without Bran finding out I’m sixteen. All Destiny has to do is mention I’m missing school, or ask about making up my homework.