The Most Explosive Novel Since Fifty Shades of Grey

by BY LENA   Jan 17, 2023

In the scorching pages of “Crane” by Linzvonc, the undeniable attraction between Crane and Sierra Carson threatens to ignite a forbidden flame. Returning to town for his best friend’s wedding, Crane finds himself face-to-face with Sierra, his friend’s alluring little sister. As they navigate their roles in the wedding, they must resist the intoxicating pull that draws them together, testing their self-control and challenging their boundaries. Will they succumb to the sizzling temptation that lingers between them, or will they choose to uphold caution and deny their burning desires?

EPISODE 1 SIERRA

Cinnamon and whiskey.

That’s what the guy tastes like, and I can’t help but wonder if I like it.

He moans against me, and I try to enjoy it, but I’m pressed up against a tree, and it’s digging in my back.

I’m drunk, and this dude is my company for the night, by the looks of things.

I’ll be okay, as long as my brother doesn’t show up.

Seriously, he better not.

“Man, you’re so sexy.”

I drag my tongue across his lips, grinding into him as he chuckles.

“Oh, it’s like that, huh?”

“Mmm,” I gasp against him, moving so his lips drag across my jaw, finding their way onto my neck.

I feel myself get into it, my eyes rolling back in my head when he sucks on the soft spot near my ticklish spot, his teeth skimming it lightly.

“You like to bite?” I whisper, capturing his lips with mine.

“Only bad girls.”

“Sierra? What the f*** are you doing?”

I freeze, but the chap between my thighs doesn’t get the message, his tongue still stroking my collar bone as he pushes my dress straps down.

“So f***ing sexy.”

“Um, one second,” I mumble, trying to focus on the two trees in front of me.

Trees that folded their arms.

Wait, trees don’t have arms.

“Sierra, who is this f***ing creep?” The tree thunders, towering over us.

“Is it me,” I say, untangling myself from what’s-his-name. “Or is that f***ing tree talking?”

“Tree? Are you stoned? Great, she’s f***ing high.”

The tree beside him stares at me with golden eyes, shaking its head. But this tree has black hair and a sexy jawline that could cut glass.

“Do you know these dudes?” What’s-his-name asks, his hand still around my waist as he examines the trees.

I blink, leaning forward to squint at them, wondering if I did know them after all.

“Kai?”

Stepping forward, the tree turns into my brother, startling me further.

“Kai, how did you do that?” I stare at him in awe. “You’re a wizard, Kai!”

My brother gazes at me, my Harry Potter reference falling on deaf ears.

“Sierra, I asked you who the f*** this is.”

I frown, lifting a hand to the stranger I’d been making out with against a tree.

“I honestly don’t know. Kevin?” I guessed, crossing my arms.

I’m too unsteady, and I lose my balance on a random twig, for f***’s sake, but I manage to style it out by leaning on the tree, except I don’t, because the next thing I know, I’m flat on my face.

“It’s Jerome.” Random guy says, not offering to help me up. “You didn’t say you had a boyfriend.”

My brother strides over, all long limbs and broad chest, hauling me to my feet in a most unladylike manner.

“I bet you didn’t even ask,” growls a voice, and I sober up ever so slightly.

“Is that Crane?”

My brother rolls his eyes, pushing me forward gently as Jerome storms off, muttering something about a tease.

“Excuse me, Jason, you’re the tease!” I yell back before the golden eyes narrow at me, pinning me to the spot. “Oh, you got something to say, Crane?”

“Jerome.”

I stumble further, cursing my brother as he grabs me by the arm, steadying me.

“What?”

The golden eyes follow me, and I try to focus, but I’m pretty sure my veins flow only with vodka.

And pot.

But hey, I’m eighteen, a girl has to live.

“His name was Jerome, not Jason.”

The voice is pissed.

“Aw, you jealous, baby?” I coo, giggling when we emerge from the trees, the burnt orange light of the bonfire attracting my attention.

There must be at least twenty people standing around it, one of which I notice as Jeremy.

“No, I’m not.” Crane rubs his neck, avoiding my drunken gaze. “Are we taking her home?”

I snort, pulling out of my brother’s grasp as I spot two blondes approaching us from behind Crane.

“As if Kai is gonna miss out on these hotties.” I nod behind Crane, who turns to throw a disinterested glance over his shoulder.

“Sierra, who are you here with?” Crane sighs, staring past me with boredom.

I pause, wondering how I even got here.

“I came with Kayne, but he had to get back to Kim and the kids.”

Crane closes his eyes, shaking his head as one of the girls eyes me, like I’m an ant that needs squashing.

“God, there you are! I thought you’d left already.” Pouts one of the girls, clearly addressing Kai.

My brother is well built, blonde-haired and blue-eyed, and a complete stick in the mud.

I’ll bet the only reason he is here is to drag my drunk ass home.

“Yeah, brother duties and all that.” Kai rubs my head like I’m a f***ing chihuahua, and I glare at him.

The girl looks at me like I’m the key to the rest of her life, and I roll my eyes.

“I’m going to find John.”

Crane reaches out, stopping me with a surprisingly firm grip.

“No, you’re not.”

“Hilarious, like you can tell me what to do. Go and let one of these girls suck your balls or something.”

Crane glares at me, something flashing in his eyes that makes me shiver.

I love pushing his boundaries, and my crudeness is something he can’t tolerate.

Something he has in common with my brother.

“I’d rather not.”

The girls go from being offended by me to gaping at Crane in disbelief.

I can’t help but laugh, and this only infuriates my brother further.

“Sierra, I’m taking you home. Sorry, ladies, some other time, perhaps?”

I groan as Kai glares at me, pointing to the top of the hill where I know his car will be parked.

“No, let’s stay and get smashed!” I suggest, spotting my best friend sitting on some guy’s lap, her sharp black bob accentuating her stunning features.

“Ah f*** me, she’s here with Kiki.” Crane yawns, stretching his arms up so his top lifts with them.

I don’t mind me a bit of eye candy, but when Crane catches me looking, his hands tug it down.

“Are you in heat or something?” Kai snaps at me before waving in Kiki’s direction. “Does she need a ride or what?”

“Kiki!” I yell, waving at my friend, who seems oblivious to me, her lips locked with some Kid Rock lookalike. “Kiki, my brother’s here, and he wants to know if you want a ride.”

I fall to my knees beside her as she turns to me, a dreamy smile on her beautiful face.

“Hmm? Kai wants to know if I want to ride him?”

“No,” I stifle a laugh. “I’ve got to go.” I sigh, turning to see Kai lifting his hands in exasperation.

My eyes flicker to his best friend, and my stomach lurches when he meets my gaze.

“I’m okay. I’ll get a ride with Mal here.”

Kiki winks at me, her fingers disappearing into the guy’s dreadlocks before they lock lips again.

This is so sh*t.

“Be safe. If you do anything, I’ve got your number, pal.” I snap a photo of the two of them making out and turn away before I can see anything more.

Crane is shaking his head at Kiki; then he scowls at me.

“You’re as bad as her.”

“I could only dream of being as bad as Kiki,” I sing, aware I’m annoying them both.

“You’re a d*ck, Sierra.” Kai stomps towards the car, lifting his seat forward so I can fall into the back. “But I’d be a sh*t brother to leave you here. That guy was all over you.”

The boys climb in, and I yawn, letting my head roll back onto the headrest.

“I know, and then you ruined it for me. C*ckblocker.”

Kai grimaces, glancing at me as he turns to reverse, his hand on the back of Crane’s seat as he does.

“You haven’t got a c*ck to block, sis.”

“I owe you. You’ll have blue balls like your friend here.” I declare, nodding at Crane, who stares out of the window like I haven’t said a word.

“Ha, Crane gets more action than you and I put together,” Kai laughs, glancing at Crane with amusement.

“Do you, Craney?” I tease, nudging his arm with my foot.

“Can’t she go to sleep or something?” Crane says to Kai, ignoring me altogether.

I huff, but he’s got a point.

I’m so f***ing tired.

Partying from two in the afternoon does that to a girl.

I watch Crane silently from the backseat, wondering if it was true that he got more girls than Kai.

I doubt it because, despite my brother’s holier-than-thou attitude, he’s still managed to sleep with half of the girls in our county.

Crane lifts his hoodie, so I can’t see him anymore.

I nudge him with my foot again, and he grips it with his hand, keeping it still.

My skin heats up from his touch, and as I attempt to wriggle away, he holds it tighter.

What the f***?

I know I could kick off and yell at him, but I like the feeling of his hand on me.

And just like that, like he knew I was gaining pleasure from his touch, he drops my foot like a hot potato, not even bothering to apologize when it hits the cupholder.

“D*ck,” I mutter, rubbing my foot.

It’s only when we get home that he turns to me, a smirk on his lips.

“Try not to think of that all night, Sierra. You’ll never sleep.”

I climb out of the car, following my brother to our house as I wonder if I just imagined that.

Crane ignores me, heading into the den to watch the game with my parents, as Kai waves me up the stairs.

“Go to bed. I’ll cover for you.”

“I owe you. Oh, but you c*ckblocked me, so…” I shrugged, smirking to myself.

Kai grinned, shaking his head.

“Night, Sierra.”

“Night Cobra Kai.”

“Such a loser.”

EPISODE 2 KAI

The sun beams onto my forehead as I sip my coffee, wincing at the strength.

Why can’t Crane make a decent cup of coffee? We drink it every f***ing day; it’s not rocket science.

He slurps on his coffee beside me, and I shoot him a look.

“The f***’s wrong with you, Crane?”

Crane rolls his head to the side, lowering his sunglasses to glare at me with sleepy eyes.

“My dad’s a prick. My mom’s obsessive. I guess I was destined to be a cunt.”

Despite myself, I snort with laughter, indicating the coffee cup.

“This tastes like f***ing tar.”

“Language, Kai,” Mom scolds from behind me, picking up my hoodie from the rattan chairs beside the grill. “Clean up your sh*t, would you?”

Such a f***ing hypocrite.

“Sorry, Ma.”

Mom shakes her head, gathering the beer cans from last night’s bonding session between Crane and me.

We’d been friends since the first day of senior high when I caught the football he’d failed to catch, and it must’ve been his scowl that wooed me into being his best friend because it sure as f*** wasn’t his manners.

He’d called me a cunt, and he had me.

“Crane, do you even have a home?” Mom sighs good-naturedly, her eyes softening as they always do with him.

I swear she sees him as her own child.

“Well, I do, but we’re out of coffee,” Crane answers with a wink, lifting his mug.

“So you’re here for the coffee?”

Crane pauses, picking up a bowl from beside him.

“You also have Lucky Charms.”

He tilts the bowl to the side, allowing the milk to pool away from his Lucky Charms, and scoops them into his mouth.

“I’ll stop buying those then,” Mom teases, glancing up at the upper level of the house. “Did you see your sister last night?”

“Yup.”

I offer no further explanation, and she studies the two of us intently.

“Boys?”

Crane hides behind his cereal bowl, and I groan inwardly.

My sister is so naughty it’s ridiculous, constantly sneaking out to parties despite my parents reminding her she is in her final year and needs to get her head down.

“Was she out again?”

I shrug, not wanting to be that d*ck.

Sierra may be my little sister, but I don’t snitch.

“Your dad will go mad,” Mom groans, her hands on her hips. “She promised she would study for that damn test. Biology, wasn’t it?”

“Oh, she studied for that,” I scoff, glancing at Crane, who has gone quiet.

“She did?” Mom brightens up, and I almost roll my eyes at her naivety. “Oh. Well, that’s good then. I’m going to the store. Your dad has guests this evening, remember?”

I don’t, but I know I’m about to be reminded.

“Mr. and Mrs. Hale, your dad’s boss and his wife?” Mom stares at me, pursing her lips when I give her a blank look.

“Right, and?” I shrug, pushing my coffee onto the side, cursing my best friend.

I need caffeine.

“You and Sierra need to be there, Kai. It’s important to Dad.”

Crane says nothing from beside me, but he knows why I’m pissed.

F***ing Declan Hale, the most irritating guy I knew, would be at my house tonight.

“Do I have to? You know his son is a prick.”

Mom narrows her eyes at me, tapping her foot, a sure sign she is majorly pissed.

“Kai Julian—”

“Morning.”

My mom stops mid-ass kicking, her eyes moving to the owner of the voice behind me.

“Good morning, Sierra.”

Crane stiffens beside me, but I pretend not to notice, annoyed with the way they behave around one another.

Sierra drifts in wearing a floaty dress that barely covers her ass cheeks, her hair falling in waves around her waist.

“Your hair is longer than your dress, Sierra.” Crane points out with a smirk as Mom rolls her eyes.

“I’m going. Be nice to each other. Sierra, dinner tonight with—”

“The Stales. Got it.” Sierra lifts a glass of orange juice to her lips, drinking greedily as Mom gapes at her.

“Sierra!” She splutters, and I can’t hide my smile. “They’re a lovely family, and Declan has a soft spot for you—”

“I think you mean a hard spot, Mom.” Sierra giggles while Crane chokes on his coffee.

See what I mean? They’re idiots.

“Are you okay, Crane?” Sierra asks, all wide eyes as Crane colors beside me.

“I’m fine. How’s your head?” Crane shoots back, not missing a beat.

Sierra glares at him, and Crane smirks at her.

“My head is fine.”

“Yes, Kai said you were studying Biology last night.” Mom smiles brightly at Sierra, who cuts her eyes at me. “What was it? Anatomy?”

This time I can’t hold my laughter, and a loud booming laugh escapes my lips as Sierra rolls her eyes.

“It was, Mom, yeah.” Sierra shrugs her shoulders, her finger tapping the side of her head. “It was so interesting. Who knew? Anyway, I’m going to get some breakfast. Bye, guys.”

My sister storms past us, glaring at us as she whispers under her breath. “D*cks.”

“You know,” I drawl, sliding my sunglasses on and closing my eyes. Pointless, I know, but it still made it that little bit darker for me. “If you like my sister—”

Crane groans, cutting me off. “I don’t.”

“Yeah? It seems like it.”

Crane makes a face at me before punching me on the shoulder.

“Why? Because I help you keep her safe? I do that for you, bro.”

“Why do you go all weird when she’s around? You know I wouldn’t give a sh*t if you and she got together.”

It’s true—I wouldn’t.

Crane is a good guy, and it would be nothing short of amusing to see him and Sierra as a couple.

“Stop being a prick,” Crane mutters, glancing back to the house. “She drives me mad, bud. I don’t know how you put up with her.”

I sigh, lifting off the seat to make a better cup of coffee.

“With your help, of course. Can you stay for dinner tonight? You know I’ll end up knocking Declan out if he tries it on with my sister.”

Crane doesn’t respond, tapping away on his phone.

“Hello?” I yawn, stretching.

I could go to the gym today, but part of me wanted to laze in bed and watch movies.

“Sorry. Liza.” Crane mumbles, carrying his mug to the dishwasher and dropping it in like he lived here.

“Liza, huh?” I tease, knowing Crane would react.

“F*** off, man. You know what she’s like.”

“You keep giving her the good stuff; she’s gonna keep coming back for more. Anyway, what’re you moaning about? Liza is hot.”

Liza Jones was in my sister’s year and head cheerleader. She had recently broken up with her boyfriend, Jaden, and found herself in Crane’s bed more than once.

I wouldn’t mind her curvy ass in my bed, as long as she kept quiet. All she ever seemed to do was talk, and I couldn’t give a flying f***.

“Liza Jones?” Sierra frowns, walking in to refill her orange juice. “Ew, you better not, Kai. That’s all I need.”

“Oh no,” I grin, winking at Crane, who rolls his eyes at me. “Liza is with Crane.”

A flicker of disbelief darkens in my sister’s eyes, and I watch as she collects herself, biting her bottom lip with a shrug.

“Oh. Well, in that case, I don’t care.”

Crane watches her, and I notice how his eyes trail down her slowly, drinking her in.

Does he think I’m f***ing blind?

“Your jealous eyes say otherwise, Sierra.”

Crane winks at her as she turns to him, outraged.

“Jealous? Of Liza Jones? Pfft. Hardly. She’s good at sucking d*ck, though, according to Jaden.”

Crane frowns, glancing at me at the mention of Jaden.

“Yeah?” Crane asks with interest. “That’s interesting because I wasn’t blown away; pardon the pun.”

Sierra dips a straw into her orange juice, sucking on it with delight as I turn away, leaving them to it.

“Yeah, but he said I was better.”

Now I know she’s f***ing with Crane because Jaden is a walking STD. Sierra wouldn’t touch him with someone else’s mouth, but Crane didn’t know that.

“You and Jaden?”

I drift up to my room, leaving the pair of d*cks to play games with one another.

I wish they’d just admit it and move the f*** on; I had better things to do with my time.

I settled onto my bed, sweeping through my DMs.

A hot girl from college is having a party tonight; would I like to come?

F*** yeah.

All I had to do was sit through this sh*tty dinner then I was outta here.

I hear the front door slam, followed by the sound of Sierra stomping up to her room.

Ah, young love.

EPISODE 3 CRANE

Sierra Carson.

My best friend’s little sister.

She pouts at me from across the counter, clearly wanting a reaction from me.

Despite the tightening in my stomach, it’s pointless doing this with her.

Sierra annoys the f*** out of me, despite being the hottest girl I’ve ever seen.

Especially now, with that teasing look in her eyes, her hair cascading down her back like a f***ing dirty blonde waterfall that’s begging for me to run my hands through it.

And why did she have to wear such tiny f***ing dresses?

Christ.

She’s staring at me, clearly waiting for an answer.

I decide to go for the full attack, knowing she will probably lose her sh*t.

Sierra is beautiful, but even more so when she’s angry.

“Is there anyone you haven’t f***ed?” I say, glowering at her.

Her full lips pinch together, her eyes narrowing as she glares at me.

“How dare you speak to me like that!” Sierra screeches, launching an apple at me from the fruit bowl.

I catch it effortlessly, a smug smile on my lips as her face colors with anger. I take a bite from the apple, moaning with delight as the juice explodes in my mouth.

“Listen, you do you, yeah? I don’t care.” I shrug, dragging my phone to see a text from Liza.

Perfect timing.

“Well, for someone who doesn’t care, you seem pissed to hear about Jaden and me.” Sierra throws her hair over her shoulder, leaning forward to suck on the straw suggestively.

To my annoyance, I find myself staring at her, but especially the dress that’s now showing half of her ass to me. Her lips wrap around the straw, and an ache throbs in my d*ck, making me roll my eyes at her.

 

“Just get yourself checked out,” I say, pulling my gaze back to my phone. “You know Jaden.”

 

“You too,” Sierra snaps, pushing past me. The feel of her body against mine does its usual trick of making me inhale sharply, her coconut-scented shampoo filling my nostrils as it did every f***ing time. “Seeing as you’re f***ing his ex.”

She stomps off, her shapely legs teasing me as she takes the stairs two at a time, her curls bouncing against her waist as she did.

F***ing Jaden.

He better not have touched Sierra.

I pause, staring at the stairs before shaking my head, leaving the house I felt was more of a home than mine.

The drive home is short and does nothing to elevate my annoyance from my run-in with Sierra.

It had always been this way between us, her snapping at me, both of us getting pissed when the other was with someone else.

It isn’t simple jealousy, though; I know if it pisses Kai off, that means it pisses me off too.

It also pisses me off that Sierra seems to always end up with the notorious bad boys, and I worry sick that something will happen to her.

I mean, they’re hardly mafia members, but some of them I wouldn’t trust holding my hot dog at a barbecue.

Parking on the street, I lean my head back on the headrest, gazing at our house.

It looks just like all the other houses around here; two up, two down, a small garden, and a porch. Dad’s on the porch, his head thrown back as he snores.

I hesitate, knowing that if Dad’s been on a bender, Mom won’t be in.

If she is, she won’t be in a good state.

Guilt gnaws at me when I imagine what she’s gone through. What she allows herself to go through.

It’s not my responsibility.

My dad is an alcoholic, and Mom likes to pretend we’re one big happy family.

 

Which we aren’t.

 

Dad lost his job due to an industrial accident at work, meaning he has back problems that prevent him from working.

And boy, do we know about it.

I slam the car door, hoping to jolt him from his stupor, my keys digging into my palm.

His hairy belly hangs over his jeans, his dirty, once-white shirt covered in stains from f*** knows what. Drool hangs from his mouth, an empty bottle of beer still clutched in his fingers.

It’s barely noon.

The sun beats down on my back, sweat dripping from my neck. I scratch at it, pissed that this is my f***ing life.

You come from somewhere normal like the Carsons’ where the only worry is whether Sierra did her f***ing homework to this.

Sh*tsville.

The door opens, and Mom appears, sporting a dark red gash on her cheek.

I stiffen, my eyes bulging as she glances anxiously at my dad, the f***ing pig.

“What the f*** did he do now?” I growl, my fists clenching. “When will you learn, Mom? He’s a f***ing monster.”

Mom forces a smile, waving my words away like they’d never been said, her watery blue eyes locking onto mine.

“I fell; it wasn’t your father.”

I close my eyes, knowing if she is lying to me, it’s worse than before.

I follow her into the house, the smell of bleach and disinfectant filling my nose.

She always did this when he hurt her. She cleaned.

“You fell?” I repeat, turning her chin in my hand. “Down what, an iceberg?”

Her face looks like it’s been burned or scratched. I can’t make it out, but she’s refusing to let me look.

“Crane. Stop this; I’ve missed you. How’s Kai?”

I swallow my anger, knowing if Dad and I go at it again, Mom will end up getting hurt in the crossfire.

She rubs a hand through her hair, once long and dark, now cropped short for “easier management.”

More like Dad didn’t like the attention she got, so he made her stop wearing makeup and cut her hair short.

She’s still beautiful, though, so f*** him.

“Where the f*** have you been?”

I grimace at the sneer that comes from behind me, my mom’s eyes widening with panic as she darts a look around the kitchen.

“Hey, baby, let me get you a coffee,” she mumbles, turning to fuss over the d*ckhead that was my father.

“I don’t want coffee. I’m drinking beer.” Dad snaps, tugging open the fridge door. “I asked you a question, Crane. F***ing answer me.”

Mom pleads with me with her eyes, but my jaw gives away my reaction. Jabbing a finger into my chest, Dad sneers at me.

“Think you’re the big guy, huh?”

I lock eyes with Mom, her tongue wetting her lips as he follows my gaze with glossy eyes.

“Why the f*** did I get stuck with such f***ing losers?” Dad shoves past me, the stench of stale beer making me gag.

“Coffee?” Mom whispers, her teeth sinking into her lip.

“You’re too good for this. Let’s leave him, go somewhere—”

“Crane!” Mom hisses, slamming her hands on the counter. “He’s suffering. This isn’t him!”

My nostrils flare as I stare at her cheek, her thin frame, and her puffy eyes.

Mom had me at seventeen, so she’s still young, despite what she thinks.

“You know that’s bullsh*t.”

“Crane, please. Are you staying home tonight?” Mom looks at me with such hope I know it’s going to crush her when I tell her no, I’m going to dinner at the Carsons’.

“You know I’m not, Mom. I can’t be here with him like this.”

Mom drops her gaze, nodding shakily.

“I understand.”

My heart aches in my chest, and when I reach out for her and pull her close, she winces with pain.

Anger flares through my body, and it takes everything in me to not go and rip my cunt of a father’s head off.

“Come with me, you know the Carsons love you,” I say gently, kissing the top of her head as she grips me.

I want to punch my dad’s f***ing lights out, but Mom always ends up paying for it when I’m not here.

“I need to stay with your dad.”

“I’ll kill him. Bury him in the garden, and we can live happily ever after.”

“Crane!” Mom scolds, pushing me away with a smile. “You always did have a vivid imagination.”

I turn away, not wanting her to see how much it kills me seeing her like this.

Before his accident, they were happy, and he adored the two of us.

But now…

Urgh.

I head down the hall to my room, kicking away the beer bottles that line the doorway.

My room is a f***ing mess, as it always is, but it smells of piss and vomit.

I clench my jaw, gritting my teeth together when I see the urine-stained bedding and dried-up sick beside my bed.

“I’ll f***ing kill him.”

I don’t even bother changing; I just turn around and head straight back out of the door, past my mom, who wrings her hands anxiously.

Storming out, I find him asleep on the porch, the bottle of beer still full.

I tug it out of his hands, tipping it over his f***ing head.

He jolts to, wiping his face with his dirty hands, blinking at me slowly.

“The f***?”

“You spilled your beer.”

My words are like daggers, hard and sharp. I wish I had a dagger because I’d plunge it into his cold, dead heart.

“You cunt,” Dad rasps, struggling to his feet, his lip curling up in the corner. “I’ll f***ing have you.”

“Yeah? Maybe you should. Hit a man instead of a woman who loves you.” I hiss bitterly, angry tears stinging my eyes. “If you touch her again, I’ll f***ing kill you.”

Dad throws his head back, his yellow-stained teeth making me step back, his chest racking with a cough that has him doubled over and vomiting again.

Mom rushes out, trying to help him back to his chair as I stare at her.

“Mom, come with me.”

“She’s going nowhere, so f*** off.” Dad snarls, patting Mom on the ass.

My stomach turns when he winks at me, his lips brushing her cheek.

“Bye, son. Don’t hurry back.”

“Mom?” I try again, knowing if I go, she’s at his mercy.

“Send my love to the Carsons.” Mom replies, brushing my dad’s hair back. “Let’s get you in the shower, Ben.”

“Only if you come in with me,” he leers, tugging at her top as she smiles faintly.

“Love you, Crane,” Mom says with a reassuring smile, disappearing into the house with the monster.

I f***ing hate him.

I dial Liza’s number, wishing I’d never left the Carsons.’ Maybe if Sierra weren’t so irritating, I wouldn’t have.

Urgh.

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