The Lies We Tell (The Four #1) - Becca Steele Page 0,64

minutes had passed, he still continued to wink, nudge me, and basically act like an annoying boy.

“Let me have my moment.” He grinned, and I sighed, moving further away from him. Thankfully at that point, the DJ announced that the fireworks were about to begin, and everyone’s attention turned to the sea. The fireworks were set up on a group of boats that were anchored just off the coast, so as they began to explode, their reflections danced across the water, throwing sparkles of colour all around.

I forgot where I was, my entire focus on the bursts of light in the sky, showering down on us. When a hard body pressed up against my back, I jumped, so engrossed in the fireworks that I’d tuned out everything else. Caiden’s arms slid around me, into the pockets of my hoodie, and I leaned back against him.

“I see you.”

There was a roaring in my ears, and the loud bangs of the fireworks echoed all around us, and I wasn’t sure if I’d imagined his words.

“What did you say?”

He lowered his head and skimmed his lips over my ear.

“When I look at you. I see you. Not her. You.”

TWENTY-TWO

I knew it would take a while for me and Caiden to act normally around each other, to find new footing after all our animosity. After the fireworks display, he released me with a muttered goodbye and headed off with the rest of the Four while I met up with Kinslee and the other girls I’d come with to walk back to our apartments.

Kinslee was acting shifty and avoiding me, so I cornered her when we were finally alone in our own apartment.

“Kins.” She paused in the doorway of her bedroom, her shoulders slumped. “Talk to me. What’s wrong?”

“I did something. Something I regret.” She turned around to look at me uncertainly. “And I’m not sure how you’re going to feel about it.”

“Just tell me what it is.”

“Um. I kind of kissed James. Well, more than kissed. We might have fooled around a bit, too.”

“James Granville?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah. I’ve always thought he was hot, but he wasn’t my type. At all. Then, I don’t know, something about him tonight, all dressed down for a change, and the atmosphere and everything…he caught me in the game we played while you were busy with Caiden… Ugh, maybe it was the cocktails we drank before we turned up—”

“Kins. You really don’t need to worry. I have no problem with it. I slept with him like one time, and we had zero chemistry. We’re purely platonic friends now. Well, we were until Cade and Z threatened him.” I rolled my eyes, although, inside, now Cade had admitted he wanted me, I kind of liked that he’d done that.

Not that I’d ever admit it to him.

“Are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure. Just stay away from Cade, and we’re all good.” I smirked at her.

“Ha ha. Everyone knows that he’s yours. Even his fangirl groupies. Why do you think they try so hard to get his attention when you’re around?”

“Because he’s fucking hot? And one of the four most influential people on campus?”

“Well, there is that, too.” She grinned. “But back to James. There won’t be a repeat, I can promise you that. The more I think about it, the more I think it was a temporary lapse in judgement.”

“I wouldn’t worry about it. It happens to all of us.” I walked over to the kitchen area. “Want a cup of tea?”

My phone buzzed as Kinslee and I were curled up on the sofa, catching up on trashy reality TV.

Cass: Pack a bag for tomorrow. Four business. AKA Operation Snowflake.

Me: WTF is Operation Snowflake?

Cass: Codename for our project. Cade’s nickname for you.

Me: Right. Who came up with the codename?

Cass: Me. Obvs.

Me: Original. How about NO.

Cass: Better than West’s suggestion.

Me: Do I even want to know?

Cass: No.

Cass: We’ll work on the name.

Me: *eyeroll emoji* WE won’t work on it. What is it you want me to do?

Cass: Just get a bag packed. We’ll be at your place at 10.

Me: Fine. See you then.

Me: P.S. I really don’t get your obsession with codenames.

“Looks like I’ve been summoned by the Four.”

Kinslee sighed. “Your life is so much more exciting than mine.”

“Exciting is overrated. You have no idea how much I’d love a normal life.” To have parents that were both alive and loved me, to be able to go to university and get my degree, and enjoy student life without having all