Page 18 of Sweetest Hate

"What has you brooding over here, more than usual?" he asked.

I shrugged as I took another long pull from my beer. "Just wondering how this week is going to play out now that we have unexpected guests."

His brow furrowed. "They weren't expecting us either, according to your new stepbro. But everything seems to be going fine. What's the problem?"

Blake and Piper sounded just alike. There really wouldn't be an issue if it weren't for the temptation sitting across from me, doing his best to ignore me. As far as Quinn went, I'd keep my distance and hope he stayed out of my way.

"No problem. I just wish my dad would have mentioned Quinn and his friends would be here. A heads-up doesn't seem like too much to ask for."

"Dick move," he agreed. "But you and Quinn are cool, right?"

I'd never given either of my best friends a reason to believe there was any animosity between Quinn and I. I didn't plan on it either. "Of course."

"You sure?" Blake sounded skeptical.

"Yep." ThePpopped on my lips.

"All right then. Who's the guy?" Blake asked, and when I gave him a questioning look, he tipped his beer and I followed the direction. "The one you keep staring at."

I scowled. What was with people studying what the fuck I was doing?

"No idea what you're talking about. I'm just tired. In fact, I think I'm going to head to bed. It's been a long day." I sounded as lame as Piper.

Unbothered, he nodded. "Okay, see you in the morning. We're planning to take the boat out. That cool?"

I arched a brow, considering me and possibly Piper were the only ones who should have been messing with the boat at all. "When did you all decide that?"

"While you were talking to your dad earlier. Blame Piper." Blake frowned. "You were up there for a while. Everything okay with the old man?"

"Peachy," I lied as I stood and stretched my arms over my head. "See you in the morning."

"Bright and early." He tipped his bottle at me.

I felt his stare before I glanced at Kellan one last time. His narrowed eyes flicked from me to Blake and back. Shooting him one last glare, I turned, heading for the cabin, tossing my beer in the barrel as I passed. Whatever had crawled up his ass wasn't my problem.

* * *

Rattling sounds jarred me awake,and I blinked into the darkness of my room, looking around for the source of the noise.

A curse came from outside of my quiet room, followed by a sigh. Slowly, I slid from my bed and stumbled toward the door. When I swung it open, I was only slightly surprised to find Kellan standing there frowning.

Cocking a brow, I leaned against the doorframe. "Can I help you?"

He scowled. "I just need my stuff, and I'll be gone."

Annoyance whipped through me, but I masked the feeling. Kellan didn't need to know he had the ability to crawl under my skin. "Find somewhere else to crash?"

"Quinn's room." He pushed past me, stomped across the room, and snatched his bags from the floor.

"Quinn. Right." My jaw clenched. I wasn't sure why I gave a shit after trying to convince myself over and over I didn't. But the idea of Kellan sleeping next to Quinn irritated the shit out of me. Probably because I'd had Kellan's dick in my mouth only hours ago. What would Kellan do if he found out his best friend secretly wanted him? Would he be interested in him too? Hell, maybe he was already into Quinn.

"Problem?" Kellan asked as he shouldered his bags, making me realize I'd been staring.

I gave him a grin that was all teeth. "Nope. I don't give a shit where you sleep."

He marched toward the door, stopping in front of me. "You are such a dick, you know that?"

I cocked a brow. "A dick you wanted to ride the fuck out of earlier."

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