“Yeah, okay,” I scoff. “I’ve known you guys forever. You can’t hide anything from me.” "Fine," Mia sighs, defeated. “We saw them, but they didn’t say anything. Honestly, Aria, just forget that bastard.” I swallow hard, nodding even though my chest feels like it’s caving in. “It’s fine.” Mia hops
Lucas So, there I am, sprawled out on this lumpy-ass couch in the cabin, trying to relax, but my brain? Oh, no. It’s staging a full-blown coup. My eyes keep drifting over to the door like Aria’s just gonna waltz in, looking all pissed and gorgeous with those soft green eyes of hers. Man, the way s
I still can’t believe Sarita’s on this damn cruise ship. She just showed up out of nowhere this morning, waltzing into my cabin while I was chatting with Damon and Theo. "Anyways, Kevin works for the company that built this ship, so sneaking on without Dad or Beta John knowing was easy," she adds.
Aria I’ve been pacing this damn room ever since Sarita left, and honestly? I can’t decide if I’m going to the party or not. But urge to go is so fucking strong. Then there’s a knock on the door. Great. More distractions. I yank it open, and in stroll Mia and Lily, laughing like they’re fresh off
And Lucas? That asshole hasn’t even bothered to check on me. His sister came, and still nothing. Not even a crumb of effort. I stay on the floor, crying until my head feels like it’s going to split open. Finally, I drag myself to the bathroom. Maybe a hot shower will wash away this mess in my head.
Aria The party is a Christmas wonderland. Lights twinkle everywhere, and tall Christmas trees tower like something straight out of a fantasy movie. Cruise parties always go all out, but this? This is next-level magic. I pause to take it all in, then scan the room for Mia and Lily. Nowhere in sight.
“Okay, okay, stop!” I laugh, feeling dizzy. “My eyes are crossing here.” “Let me help you.” He chuckles, steadying me before leading me to a nearby chair. I plop down with a sigh of relief…until the chair collapses beneath me. I hit the floor with a thud, my dignity shattering into a million piece
Aria Lucas has me slung over his shoulder like I’m some kind of sack of potatoes, and I’m flailing like a lunatic. “Let me go, you overgrown brute! Put me down!” I’m yelling, but he just keeps walking like he doesn’t hear a word I’m saying. We finally reach the game room, which is thankfully empty
Aria So, Lucas slowly starts driving the car into the pack, and the people standing there just part like the damn Red Sea. The second we pass through, the gate shuts behind us with this loud-ass BOOM that nearly makes me jump out of my skin. I glance ahead and realize the only thing lighting up th
“Relax already,” he says with a soft laugh. “You’re turning into a damn yapper.” I smack his arm playfully. “I’m serious, Lucas.” “I know,” he says with a nod. “And I get you. But with Mark and me, just let it be. There’s no fixing shit there.” “He shouldn’t have brought up your mom... that wa
Aria Lucas grips the steering wheel tight, his knuckles damn near white, and lets out a deep breath. “It’s none of your fucking business.” Mark throws his head back and laughs like an idiot. A full-blown, body-shaking laugh. “Calm down, man. I was just curious. I just wanna know what she was li
Mark looks like he’s about to throw out some excuse. “No... I just feel like…” “Listen, Mark,” Before he can finish that sentence, I cut right in, already tired of their dumbass back-and-forth. “If you want, you can ride with us in Lucas' car.” “What?” Lucas snaps his head toward me, eyes wide an
Aria It’s finally morning, and Lucas and I are all set to head out. The air is calm and sharp with cold, the kind that bites through your clothes, so we both throw on our winter jackets for extra warmth. We didn’t pack much, just a school bag stuffed with a few essentials, and Lucas had said if we
“Yeah, but he already told us everything he claims to know.” “Not enough, though,” he mutters, shaking his head. “I wanna know what it looks like, the people, the way they live… all of it. I don’t trust that fucking jerk, Aria.” I glance up at him, raising a brow. “And you guys are supposed to b
Aria Aunt Esther has been staring at Lucas and me from the couch like I’ve completely lost my mind. For the past hour, she hasn’t stopped looking at us that way, ever since I barged into her apartment and told her everything that’s been going on. “I still can’t believe this,” she says for what f
He pauses for a second, like he’s trying to find the right thing to say, but then he just nods. "I get it... I understand." I watch his face closely, trying to read him. "I’m thinking tomorrow," I add, my voice soft but sure. I wait for his reaction, but he’s holding it together better than I expec
Aria "So you're telling me the man just disappeared? Like, poof, gone?" Mia’s eyes are still wide as hell, looking all sorts of shocked, even though this is like the tenth time she’s asked. "For the last damn time, Mia, that’s what they said," Lily mutters, rolling her eyes, but Mia still looks