5

AVA

I never overthink what I wear. I usually know how to dress for any event but right now, I'm overthinking it. I don’t even know what we’re going to do at the place or what kind of place it is. Just like I don’t know what’s wrong with me either. I know I'm trying to look out for my brother. I don’t want him getting involved with the wrong people, especially Kai. I could just call our parents and tell them what Zade is up to and they would take action immediately. Hell, they might even cut their trip short and come back. I could do that but no. Instead, I’m here, getting ready to go... wherever with the so-called bad company. Something is definitely wrong with me and I don’t even know what the hell it is.

I take one last glance at myself in the mirror. This fit will do. One of my favorite pairs from my endless collection of jeans, and a sleeveless crop top. I grab my handbag and walk out of the room.

“ You don't think it's a little early to be all dressed up? Thought you would use like two hours in there,” Zade says as he watches me come down the stairs.

I roll my eyes. “Next time, I’ll make sure to do just that.”

“There won’t be a next time,” He blurts out.

“I’m hoping for the same,” I say.

I’m not looking at my brother anymore. My eyes are on Kai who seems absorbed in his phone, I’d bet anything he is texting one of his girls. It’s like he can feel my eyes on him, he lifts his head and meets my stare.

“Is my fit okay for this secret place we’re headed to?” I ask, the words slipping out before I can stop them.

His eyes flick down, taking in my outfit, then he lifts a shoulder in a half shrug.

“Probably,” He mutters. “Are we ready to leave now?”

Oh wow. Am I that easy to dismiss? I wasn’t even fishing for a compliment, just a simple yes would’ve been enough. Why is it so hard for him to not act like a complete dick for once? God, he's such a scumbag.

“Yeah, we’re ready,” Zade says as he comes over and takes my hand. “You can just stay home, y’know. I get that this isn’t really your thing and I know you’re just trying to look out for me, but trust me, I will be fine.”

“It’s either we both stay home together or I go with you,” I shoot back.

His eyebrows furrow and he lets go of my hand from his grip. “You don’t have to be so damn stubborn. Look, whatever.”

Kai turns without a word, already walking off and the two of us follow.

“We’re going in Kai’s car,” Zade tells me.

“Okay.”

Dad seized Zade’s car keys last week after he stayed out too late and didn’t even pretend to be sorry when they confronted him. Since then, I’ve been doing him the favor of driving him to school in my car and other times, he just books a ride.

Kai’s car is parked outside. He has this bratty, crazy attitude, it’s wild how he switches so fast. One minute he’s messing around with that damn annoying smile on his face and the next he’s quiet, off in his own world. Either way, whatever version he decides to be gets under my skin. I don’t know, I just want him out of my sight.

We reach the car. Zade heads straight for the front seat and of course Kai’s driving. That leaves me in the back seat. Not bad.

I am about to grab the car door handle when I feel someone behind me. I turn and there they are, those ocean-like eyes staring right at me. What does he want?

I open my mouth to say something but before I can even get a word out, he reaches around me and opens the car door. Kai fucking Cooper is opening the door for me? What exactly is going on?

“I can open the door by myself,” I say.

“Get in, will you?”

Of course, that damn attitude. I roll my eyes and slide into the seat without another word.

Kai shuts the door and heads to the driver’s seat. The engine starts and the car starts moving. He and Zade dive into a conversation about something I can’t even follow while I remain silent in the back.

I pull my phone out of my handbag. I should text Luke. I need to know if he’s still mad at me. Wait, how mad would he be if he knew I was in Kai’s car, going somewhere with him and my brother? I'd better keep that part to myself. I type a simple “hey” and hit send. The message is delivered instantly, he is online. He opens the message like he's been waiting for my text. I wait for a response from him, but nothing. No typing bubble. No reply.

My eyelids drop. Luke just ghosted me.

“ Ava,”

I look up and catch Kai staring at me through the rearview mirror.

“ What?” I ask.

“ I think I should put on some music. What kind of stuff do you listen to?” He asks back.

I blink. “ The kind that's loud enough to drown out annoying voices like yours.”

I get a smirk out of him.

“Annoying voice? You’ll miss it when I stop talking.”

“Never. I think you’re actually better off when you’re not talking,” I shoot back.

“Crazy, considering most girls want me to talk more.”

“ Good for you, I’m not most girls.”

Kai pauses, his eyes meeting mine through the rearview mirror. “ Well, you’re really something else,” He mutters under his breath.

“It’s okay, please,” Zade says loud enough to cut through, then turns to Kai. “Don’t flirt with my sister, Cooper.”

Kai lets out a chuckle. “You think I’m flirting with your sister? That's not exactly on my to-do list.”

“Let it stay that way,” Zade says.

I sit down in the back looking at them. They’re really out here talking about me like I am not right here with them. Crazy.

Finally, we pull up to the place. I push the door open and step out of the car before Kai can even think about getting all weird and opening the door again.

What the hell is this place? The music is fucking loud. It's not outside speaker loud, it's coming from inside the building, pounding through the walls. The air is thick with sweat, cigarettes and alcohol. It hits me all at once.

There are people outside the building. Some are smoking, some holding drinks, some doing both with a girl on them. Everyone looks like they're high on something.

I look at Zade and Kai. I think I'm starting to regret coming here.

“Kai!” I see a lady rush up to us.

“Thank God you’re here,” She says, wrapping her arms around his neck and right there, in front of me, they start sucking each other’s mouths off. Does this jerk just let anyone kiss him?

“Sasha, you look gorgeous,” Kai mutters as they stop kissing.

Oh, so he knows how to give compliments. That is interesting to know.

I glance at the girl - mini gown, model-slim, tall, and she’s got a pretty face too. I can’t even lie, she’s gorgeous. Well, I know Kai Cooper’s type now.

Sasha smiles and turns to Zade, they hug like they’ve known each other forever. It seems like I’m the odd one out here. Not bad at all.

She turns to look at me. Her eyes scan me then flick to Kai, then back to me… then back to Kai again.

“ Oh,” Sasha mutters, raising an eyebrow. “ Your latest plaything, Kai?”