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I can’t help but laugh at the memory. I had come back into the room to see him adding ink to the spots on his arm that faded a little too much for his liking. His bottom lip was pulled between his teeth and his brows furrowed as he concentrated on what he was doing. It was hot as hell.
“Who are you and what have you done with my sister?” She shakes her head. “I can’t believe you let him do that.”
“Let who do what?” A voice I never expected to see here sounds from the door, and I turn my head to find our older sister, Ainsley.
Her long, blonde hair is a stark difference to mine and Tessa’s. As usual, her makeup is done perfectly, and her outfit is stylish yet modern. Ainsley has always been the one to take full advantage of our parents’ money, especially after leaving for college and being given her trust fund early—a present for never doing anything wrong in her life.
“Oh my God, you’re home early!”
She smiles brightly and comes over to give me a hug. “Look at you two, all grown up and gorgeous.” Turning to Tess, she gives her a teasing grin. “I hear you’ve been giving Dad a hard time.”
Tessa giggles. “Don’t I always?”
“One day you’re going to realize it pays off to be on his good side.”
“No, it pays off for you to be on his good side. Me? Well, I was doomed from the start. And besides, what’s the fun in that?”
Ainsley masks her disapproval, knowing getting through to Tessa has always been a lost cause. “And what about you?” she asks me. “Are you at least staying out of trouble?”
I go to open my mouth when Tess snorts. “No. She’s dating the worst of them all.”
“Tess!”
“What? It
’s true. Easton could beat Knox out for Dad’s approval any day of the week.”
Ainsley’s brows raise. “You’re dating someone?”
“Not just someone,” Tessa continues to overshare. “A tattooed, drug-doing delinquent with a criminal record.”
I narrow my eyes at my twin. “Seriously? Must you?”
She laughs. “I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t.”
Shaking my head, I focus back on Ainsley. “His name is Knox, and he’s good to me—despite all the things Tess just mentioned. He’s coming to the gala this weekend. You’ll get to meet him.”
“Do I get to give him that cliché you hurt my sister and I’ll kill you speech, too?”
I try to ignore the face Tessa makes at even the idea of Ainsley threatening Knox. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know how that one will go, but hopefully, for the sake of appeasing my sister, I can get him to at least act intimidated.
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
We get done and take off the dresses, careful not to get pricked by any of the pins. Once we’re finished putting our clothes back on, we wave goodbye to Annabel and head out the door. I pull my sunglasses from my head and put them over my eyes.
“So, are you two heading back to school, or do you want to go get lunch?”
It only takes one look for Tessa and me to answer in unison. “Lunch.”
As we’re walking down the street and toward one of my favorite Italian places, Tess smirks.
“Hey Ains, did you hear Delaney got a tattoo?”
THE NEXT DAY, I’M going through what seems like boyfriend withdrawals. Since it was Ainsley’s first night home, Dad insisted on all of us spending the night together as a family. Thankfully, both my sisters kept their mouth shut about my new tattoo. If I don’t cover it with some kind of heavy make up for Saturday, however, he’s going to see it. The black ink sticks out against my pale skin.
Knox and I texted all yesterday evening, but he took his sleeping pill at nine, and I haven’t heard from him since.
“Going over to see Easton?” I ask Tessa as we get out of the car at school, and she nods. “I’ll come with you.”
