“That’s good. You tell us if anything bothers you. That goes for both of you.” Dad refills his mug and blows on it. As he passes me, he pats my head. “There’re plenty of trails around this area. Who’s in for a hike today?”
Alec moans under his breath.
“As long as we get some boxes done,” Mom says.
“I’m in, Dad!” Alec winces at my bright tone on his way to a seat. “I’ve been enjoying the new scenery to explore for photo ops.”
“You should come, Alec,” Dad intones. “Fresh mountain air is an excellent cure for the results of a rowdy night out. It’s bracing. It’ll do you good.”
I hide my cough of amusement in my mug.
* * *
Lucas Saint is still on my mind on Monday and I’m fucking pissed about it.
I hate that I can’t get that damn kiss out of my head. It’s plagued my mind all weekend.
My hands squeeze the steering wheel. Frowning, I turn up the rock song on the radio and nod along as a pitiful distraction.
So what if it was a good kiss? I’m sure lots of people at Silver Lake High are good kissers—if I was interested in finding out. Which I’m not.
My lips purse because what’s really goading my ire is that Lucas just takes without asking. He’s every inch the spoiled king quarterback of this school.
“Whoa there, daredevil,” Alec chides, gripping the handle above the door as I whip the car into the parking lot.
My nostrils flare. Okay, maybe I took that turn sharper than necessary. I need to get my emotions and thoughts in check.
“Deal with it, you big baby. You’re alive, aren’t you?”
Alec chuckles at my huffiness and taps the back of his hand against my shoulder. For a moment it’s like things used to be, before my own twin brother hated my guts for something I couldn’t control.
The moment passes and Alec’s easy going demeanor fades. He clears his throat.
I swallow a disappointed sigh and pull into the first open spot I find between a flashy red sports car and a sleek black Range Rover. With a quick scan of the cars around us, my stomach falls.
Our CR-V is a used model, but not a junker by any stretch. Most of the cars in the lot are souped up and expensive. The price tags are double and even triple the worth of our shared car.
Where are all the normal kids at this school who don’t flaunt their parents’ money?
Alec and I can’t be the only ones.
The school looms on a hill above the student parking lot with stone columns to match the mountainside vibe of Ridgeview. The campus buildings are surrounded by pine trees that stretch into the sky. Coyote statues flank the sign in front of the school declaring it Silver Lake High School: Home of the Ridgeview Coyotes.
Before getting out, I tug at my evergreen and white plaid uniform skirt and adjust the blazer.
At my other two schools we didn’t have a required uniform, and I was free to wear what I was comfortable in. I thumb the school crest embroidered on the black blazer, a gold shield with the school’s initials surrounded by laurels.
I’m grumpy that my brother doesn’t seem as bothered by the uniform. Then again, what’s so different about putting on nicer pants than jeans? At least they’re still pants. The worst he has to deal with is a tie.
We climb out of the car simultaneously with the guy in the neighboring Range Rover and I tense. It’s Lucas.
He spots me before I can hightail it for the steps that lead up to the school. That irritating cocky grin returns.
“Hey, man.” Alec greets as he and Lucas clasp hands, thumping each other on the back. “Dope party on Friday.”
“Yeah.” Lucas cuts his eyes to me over my brother’s shoulder. “Wish you could’ve stuck around longer. We lit off fireworks over the lake.”
“Sweet.”