Chapter 71 Scorned Lover
802words
"You better hope this doesn't go to shit," Ember glowered at her brother. "I get why you did that. I swear I do, but this isn't something you play around with."
"Says you who befriended a human in the first place," Kayn countered. "Don't put this all on me."
"Let's pretend said human isn't present," I scowled. After more than thirty minutes of searching everywhere, we gave up and went outside into the parking lot.
"Looks like Derek made a run for it," Kayn chuckled.
"It's not funny." Ember scanned the vicinity. "I hope no one else saw. This could cause serious problems for us."
"I doubt it." Kayn pulled out his car keys and twirled it around his fingers. "People are too busy getting drunk, dancing or—"
"Why are you three out here?" Belinda rounded the building. She shot me a dark look before gazing at Kayn and offered a sweet smile. "Was thinking my date would like another dance? I've asked the DJ to queue your favorite songs."
Kayn blinked. "I'm done for the evening, but thanks."
"Date?" Ember's brows shot up. "He came with me."
Belinda reached for Kayn's arm, pinning Ember with a stiff smile. "It's a last-minute thing."
Kayn pulled away from Belinda. "It wasn't a last-minute thing. Or anything. I agreed to a few dances since you kept nagging me."
Belinda paled, and her lips drew thin. "I didn't nag you. I asked you if you wanted to dance."
"Your date ditched you, and I remember you were saying you didn't want to look bad or sit in a corner like a wallflower," Kayn said. "I drew the line when you started insulting my sister's friend."
"I didn't say that," Belinda face hardened. "As for her," she staked me with a glare. "I meant every word. No idea what Derek sees in her."
"I can see what he sees," Kayn quipped. "In fact, you're jealous because her dress looks about a hundred times better on her than yours does on you, or the fact that she'd about a hundred times prettier. And, don't get me started about personality. At least her's isn't the equivalent of a dying blobfish."
Belinda slapped him.
Hard.
When she pulled her hand back, a clear, red hand shape swelled on his skin.
"Ouch." He rubbed his cheek.
Ember was stiff with laughter. "I'm so glad we came to this dance. Ella was right. It was everything but boring."
I wasn't sure what to think. Yes, I enjoyed witnessing Belinda getting insulted by Kayn, and in exchange, he got slapped. It was a glorious moment that deserved a golden frame on the wall. It was a pity I didn't have a camera.
However, I wasn't sure what to make of what he had said about me.
He thought I was pretty. Assuming he didn't only say that to get rid of Belinda.
Yet…
I shook my head, not sure why I kept allowing him to get to me.
"You okay?" Ember leaned toward me, wary of Kayn and Belinda bickering back and forth.
"I'm fine," I insisted "I want to go home. I'm getting cold and, well, would prefer not to have another run-in with Derek."
"He's lucky he's still walking. I thought Kayn was going to skin him."
"I expected worse than skinning," I admitted.
"I don't blame you." Ember tapped Kayn on the shoulder. "Hey, dumbass. We're going home."
"She's going with you?" Belinda's eyes bounced between Kayn and me.
"We live on the same island," I grimaced. "We take the same boat. So yeah, I'm going with them."
Belinda reddened in the face and tried to smack Kayn again, who managed to dodge the blows. "You just have to jump to the worst conclusions, don't you?" he balked.
"What else am I supposed to think!" she snapped. "She's going to get you—us all—killed!"
Kayn rolled his eyes. "Good night, Belinda. I had a miserable time hanging out with you."
I compressed a giggle behind my palm.
He spun around and strode past Ember and me. "Are you two coming?"
Without lingering any longer, we trailed after him as Belinda spat out an array of threats and insults that went ignored.
It appeared to aggravate her more, and she resorted to yelling.
Kayn and Ember shared a car. They always kept it parked near the docks for whenever they go into town.
It waited for us in the school's parking lot in the front area where we last left it, almost overlookable as it blended with the night.
Kayn muttered under his breath as I slid in the back of the black Ford Fiesta, and Ember joined me on the other side.
"What now?" Ember snapped.
