The Sterling Boys (6 page)

RAIN

I flop down in my guest bed beside Kode as he groans in his sleep. His eye is swollen, his lip is split, and his face is a little bruised. It's fortunate he wasn't hurt worse.

"I'm sorry, Rain," he mumbles while drawing his arm over his face. "I acted like a total jerk."

I smile as I slide in closer, and his arms come to wrap around me and draw me against him. This is my Kode.

"It's fine. I was handling you, but the guys got antsy. You didn't do anything too terrible."

"Oh?" he muses, sliding his sober hand down to my ass and squeezing. "You saying you enjoyed it?"

I roll my eyes and swat his hand away, but I'm caught off guard when his lips suddenly crush mine. What. The. Fuck?

"Kode," I grumble against his lips, but my attempt to talk only allows him access to slip his tongue through my parted lips, and damn does he know how to use it.

It becomes obvious that he's been awake already, because he has brushed his teeth. And... I can't believe that's what I'm focusing on. My best friend is groping and kissing me, but I'm focused on his breath.

When he jerks my center to meet his arousal, that's when I snap out of my trance and push him back, feeling a little breathless.

"Kode, what the hell?"

He curses to himself while shaking his head. "Damn it, Rain. I'm sick of this. I've been trying since we were thirteen to get you to fucking see me the way I see you, but it's like... it's like you're incapable of viewing me as anything more than the kid I once was."

Saying I'm taken aback would be laughable. Kode has always been extra sweet to me, but... this? How do I respond to this?

"Kode, I—"

"You what, Rain? You're sorry but you don't feel that way? You can't help but think of me as just a friend?"

I swallow hard as he climbs out of bed. A few tears start to slip free, but I wipe them away as quickly as they're shed.

"Please don't do this. We're friends, Kode. Best friends. I don't want to lose—"

"I need to go," he interrupts, keeping his back to me.

I pull my knees to my chest, too scared and shocked to say another word as he stalks through the bedroom doorway. Within seconds, I hear the hard slam of the front door. I'd offer him a ride, but I'm guessing that would be refused right now.

I shouldn't have ever gone to that party. I shouldn't have ever moved back here.

"Please come get us," Maverick
whines through the phone.

It's already three in the morning, and I have a doctor's appointment at eight. There's no way I'm driving two towns over to haul their asses out of jail... again.

"Call Dane or Dale," I mumble.

I refuse to say Kode, considering no one has heard from him since he stormed out of my house almost three days ago. I can't think about that right now. Knowing I've lost my best friend is painful enough. At least now I understand Dane's side.

He didn't feel the same about me. Albeit, he handled it even worse than I did. I still understand, though. I put him in a terrible situation where no one was a winner. His calls after that letter were just awkward, because neither of us knew what to say or do.

"I think they must still be on their double-date, because neither one of them is answering. Please come, Rain."

I roll my eyes. I almost forgot it was the big
Friday night dinner
. Of course Fiona prefers the rich, spoiled brat over me. Whoa. Wait. Dane on a date? I thought they were just friends.

Ignoring the pang of jealously—okay, bit more than a mere
pang
—I focus on the two Sterlings at hand.

"Fine," I mutter. "I need to get dressed. I'll be there as fast as I can."

"Corbin, she's coming!"

"The next time the two of you feel like golfing, wait until the course is open," I grumble while wearily climbing out of bed. "And you owe me. Again."

Maverick chuckles as Corbin sings my praises from afar. "Cash in anytime, Rain. Now get your pretty little ass down here and get us out. I don't like the way this guy in the cell with us keeps checking out
my
pretty little ass."

I giggle loudly while grabbing some clothes, and then I hang up. At least he managed to wake me up from a terrible dream. I just hope that dream doesn't come true later on.

Maverick and Corbin were
both still passed out on my couch when I left for my doctor's appointment. Coincidentally, I scheduled the appointment in the same town the two of them were arrested.

My phone rings as I await my results, and I juggle it out of my purse, fumbling it around a few times before finally getting a good grip on it.

"Hey," I answer, not bothering to look at who's calling.

"Where're you at?" Maverick asks, seeming sober and happy.

"Ridgewood. I had to fill out some more paperwork for you guys," I lie.

I need to mix truth with lies in case he needs me to meet him somewhere. I can't say I'm close by and not be able to back it up. I also can't let them know why I'm here.

"Shit. Sorry, Rain. Corbin and I will meet you there, and we'll grab something to eat. My treat."

"No," I blurt out, feeling my body flush.

"Yes," he rebuts. "We have to pick up Corbin’s car from the parking garage there anyhow. We're on our way. Chill out. We'll behave. Besides, the golf course is open now."

I half laugh, but what if they get here before I'm done? A doctor's office is fickle on how long it takes them to finish.ba

"Um... fine, but meet me at the restaurant."

"You sound... edgy. You only sound edgy when you're doing something shady. You had so better not be flirting with that dickhead cop."

I burst out laughing as I think back to Officer Charming who was more than obvious in his attraction to me. I was starting to worry Corbin and Maverick were going to end up back in jail if I didn't get them out of there.

"I'm not—" The doctor walks in, and my eyes grow wide. "I have to go. Jupiter's restaurant. I'll meet you there. Send me a text when you're close."

I hang up before he can say more and before the doctor can say anything in front of him. But apparently the doctor isn't in any hurry to say anything at all.

I hate stoic people. They never give you any warning of what news is to come, and this doctor has the best poker face ever.

"Well?" I ask, smiling and staying hopeful.

The harsh breath he lets out says more to me than anything he can voice. My smile falls and tears threaten to slip out, but I restrain them.

"There are two spots, Rain. We have to do the hysterectomy."

I was wrong. Saying it aloud is worse than knowing it without words. The tears start to fall, and a nurse comes in carrying a box of tissues. I jerk several free and start wiping my face as they stare expectantly at me. When no words leave me, the doctor continues.

"You knew this day might come. I know it doesn't make it any easier, but I'm sure you felt the same way when you had to have the double mastectomy. This won't be as bad as that. This is all internal. We'll do it laparoscopic and the small area most likely won't even scar."

My world falls apart in front of me. All my dreams... they suddenly don't exist.

"Having my breasts removed was easier because I could replace them. This... I could still have children without my breasts." My voice breaks, and I look up. The doctor's stoic face dissolves into a kind, pitying expression that I hate.

It's like I can't catch a break.

"Are you pissed at us
or what?" Maverick asks as I push the food around on the plate, trying to make it look as though I've eaten something.

"No. I'm just tired," I lie, forcing a smile, and amazingly I hold back the parade of tears that are beating against the backs of my eyes.

"Rain, you've been acting... weird since we got here. Is this about Kode? He called today. He said he just needs some time to get his head straight."

My lip trembles at the mention of Kode.  I won't ever have the same relationship with him. Never again. I just pray it isn't as bad as Dane and me.

"Like I said... just tired. Can we get out of here?" I ask while lifting my eyes to meet theirs.

Corbin frowns with Maverick as they both study me. After five minutes of silent gawking, I start feeling like a defective science project. Then Maverick’s face splits into a grin while he ignores my last question.

"Thanks for bailing us out."

I shrug and look back down to my plate. "That's what friends are for."

"I'll return the favor one day. The next time you get arrested, I'll come bail you out. Promise."

His attempt to make me smile has worked. I snort while shaking my head. "I've never been arrested, so you can't say
next
time. And I'll never be arrested because I'm not some idiot willing to break into a closed facility."

"Ouch," Corbin jokes, rubbing his hand over his heart. "Idiot?"

I smile and nod, which makes both of them laugh. Maverick stands when he feels he's successfully made me happy again, though nothing could be further from the truth.

"I'll go find our waitress and pay the tab. Make sure she eats at least a little more while I grab that one's number," he says to Corbin while pointing toward a redhead at the bar.

"Got it," Corbin says, grinning while I roll my eyes.

"Incorrigible mongrel," I mumble, earning a chuckle from Corbin.

Just as Maverick gets entangled at the bar, I spot a familiar face in the arms of the wrong man. My eyes widen when her lips press to his, and before I know what I'm doing, I stand up, ready to tear Fiona's head off.

Corbin follows my gaze and his eyes widen to match mine. "Not here, Rain," he says, standing and trying to tug at my hand, but I rip free, determined to call her every name in the book and humiliate her in the restaurant.

"Rain," he cautions, but when I don't halt, he grabs me at the waist, and pulls me up just high enough to keep my feet from touching the floor.

"Put me down," I hiss, but he shakes his head while carrying me away.

I don't know if it's because my world ended this morning, or the fact I just lost my best friend, or if it has something to do with the guy I loved suddenly enjoying being with my devil-spawned sister, but I snap. No—it's more than a snap. I go bat-shit crazy.

Corbin isn't as well-versed with handling me as Maverick, and he makes one major mistake. Holding me like this gives me so many access points. I grab a handful of sensitive flesh between his legs, catching him by surprise. A startled gasp and a painful cry rings out as I twist hard and bring him to his knees.

The second he drops his grip on me, I charge through the restaurant like a bull seeing red. The fear on her face registers before the shock, and within seconds, I'm sliding across her table like it's home-plate; yelling like Xena the warrior princess as she goes to battle; and taking her down like I'm Mike Tyson. Well, maybe not Tyson, but I'm pulling her hair and slinging her head around like a pro.

She screams and gasps, still stunned by my sudden attack.

"Fuck," spews out of Maverick's mouth, but I don't see him until he's punching Fiona's piece of shit date.

Tables crash to the ground, glass shatters, and screams resound through the restaurant, but my attention stays focused on bitch-slapping the hell out of Dale's cheating fiancée. At least until I hear the first
whoop
of the siren. Damn it.

DANE

I'm going to fucking kill them if they don't stop texting me. I already told them I'd be in and out of meetings all day. That's why I ignored their sorry asses last night. I should have called and told Rain to ignore them, too. A night in jail would have served them right.

I huff as I finally read one of the texts, and I can't help but burst out laughing.

Maverick
:
Hey, Jerkoff! Rain is in here too, so come get us now!

How the hell did they get Rain in trouble? Rain in jail? That's fucking hilarious. Little Miss Does No Wrong is stuck in a holding cell, praying for someone to come rescue her. Not me. I think it's about time the three of them grow up. My phone goes off again, and I glance down.

Maverick:
She's hurt. She has stitches on her forehead, and a jail cell isn't good for wounds. Too many germs.

Fuck. What the hell did they do to her? My phone buzzes again as I excuse myself from the meeting.

Maverick:
Cop just found my phone. Fuck.

Then I get another text from a Sterling I wasn’t expecting to hear from.

Dale:
Go get them. I'll fill you in later. This one is on me.

He was the one saying the guys and Rain needed to stop being so fucking childish. I'll kick some asses for this. I swear. When the hell are they ever going to grow up, and when will Rain learn to simply say no? It's a simple, one-syllable word.

I drive to the damn town Maverick had already sent me in one of the prior texts I had ignored. It only takes about twenty minutes, considering I might have broken a few speed limits.

The small jail seems to be lacking room for more than one person, so they only have the one holding cell, I think. I'm pretty sure Corbin and I ended up in here after a party one time if I'm not mistaken.

Once I make it inside, it becomes clear.
Yep.
This is definitely the place.

I look around, gauging the surroundings of the cold concrete stones that have been painted stark white. I can hear them bickering from here, and I smile while I quietly take care of all the paperwork.

"I thought you said you'd never get arrested," Maverick taunts, chuckling.

"And you were supposed to get me out," Rain growls, making me sigh in relief. At least she's okay.

I finish up, keeping my voice low when I talk to the plump man behind the desk, and he mumbles something about slapping around the guys. I smile as I follow him around the corner, and it's all I can do not to laugh when I see Rain.

Her sundress is barely hanging on. One strap is broken, and the other is hanging on by a mere thread. Her feet are bare, her hair is everywhere and smothered in what looks to be some type of sauce, along with numerous particles of food. Her dress is just as jaded by random stains and curious particles. Did they have a food fight?

Corbin is groaning in pain while leaning against the wall and clutching an icepack to his crotch. Rain and Maverick are having a silent standoff, and I notice Maverick's hand has blood on it. What the—

"Here you go. You'll be informed of a court date soon enough," the officer says while unlocking the cell.

Rain's eyes widen when she sees me, and she nervously tugs at her dress and starts running her hands through her hair. There's no fixing it. Sadly, I still find her to be fucking gorgeous.

"Care to fill me in?" I ask while casually propping against the wall, not even trying to hide my amusement.

Rain turns an accusatory glare toward Maverick. "I thought you said you were calling Dale!"

"I did. He was busy throwing Fiona out of the house."

"What?" I ask, losing the amusement in my tone.

Is this because of the argument that happened last night? It got heated between Tria and Fiona when the idiot woman tried calling Rain a slut. I was ready to put her in her place, but Tria beat me to it. I think it shocked Fiona more than anything. Still, Dale stayed out of it. He said it was pointless to argue and just to let it go. I never have understood what he sees in her.

"Is this because of the fight Fiona had with Tria?" I ask, looking toward Corbin.

He shakes his head while cursing and trying to stand. Rain bites back a grin when she goes to help him and he glares at her with an I-hate-you-because-you're-evil look.

"Tria fought with Fiona?" Rain asks absently, walking away without looking at me. Her bare feet on the dirty jail floor makes me cringe, but I can't exactly go and pick her up. Where are her shoes?

"Yeah. Long story. What happened here?" I ask, following her out, doing what I can not to stare at her perfect ass.

"Long story," she mumbles, mocking my answer.

"I had to bail you out of jail, so I think we've got time to hear the story on the way back to your cars."

Maverick chuckles when Corbin curses Rain behind her back, and I tilt my head curiously when I see her daring smile. Something tells me this story is far more interesting.

"So, how did
you
get arrested?" I ask Corbin, still laughing at the imagery of Rain flying over a table and beating the hell out of Fiona.

My side is killing me right now. Corbin is still pissed about his injured
jewels
, and Maverick loves to embellish an already dramatic story. I actually wish I had been there. It would have been worth jail time.

"Because that's the same fucking jail Maverick and I were in last night—er... early this morning, rather. The cop assumed I was guilty by association and cuffed my ass, too."

I laugh harder, even though I didn't realize it was possible. My laughter tapers off, though, when I look in the rearview mirror to see Rain staring outside. She seems lost in her own world.

"You okay?" Maverick asks her while scooting closer. "My lawyer will get us out of this. Don't worry."

She forces a smile before turning to face him. "I'm good. Just tired and dirty. I think it'll take a while to wash all this out," she says while pointing to the food still stuck in her hair.

He laughs and accepts her lie. I know better. Something is wrong. But I also know I can't probe her. We're not friends anymore. Besides, I'm sure it probably has something to do with Kode. Definitely don't want details on that mess.

When I drop them all off at their cars back at the restaurant, Rain hops out first. I climb out, confused about whether or not I should say anything. By the time I decide to finally act like a man and make sure she's okay, she's already driving away. All I can do is watch, worrying about her like I always used to.