The Year I Became Isabella Anders (Sunnyvale, #1)(59)

“You know, you’re not the only guy who’s told me that.”

“Really?” He seems intrigued. “I guess I’ll have to think of a better compliment then.”

“I guess you will.” The light, flirty tone of my voice shocks the crap out of me, and I honestly kind of feel silly for even attempting to flirt. Fortunately, my phone buzzes. “Hold on a sec,” I tell Kyler. “My grandma just texted me back.”

Grandma Stephy: Goddamn that child. She’s such a pain in the ass. Of course u can stay, but does your father know about this? Because he’s been really upset with me lately.

Me: Maybe we should just keep this between us. If I text him about Hannah kicking me out, it’s just going to start more drama, and there’s way too much of that already.

Grandma Stephy: Okay, sweetie. I’ll come pick u up.

Me: I actually have a ride, but I need to ask u for another favor. I have a friend who has a cooking crisis and needs help baking a few batches of chocolate chip cookies. I love eating me some cookies, but u know I suck at actually making them, so I thought maybe u could help us out.

Grandma Stephy: So u want me to cook for u? Jesus, aren’t u needy ;)

Me: I know. It’s your fault, though, for giving me everything I want ;)

Grandma Stephy: Glad to c u haven’t lost your sense of humor.

Me: That’ll never happen, no matter how bad things get.

Grandma Stephy: You’re a strong girl, Isa. U really r. And I love u to death. I’ll cook for u, but only if u tell me who this friend is.

Me: Um . . . Kyler Meyers, a guy who lives next door to me.

Grandma Stephy: Is that the boy u and Indigo were always whispering about?

Me: Maybe

Grandma Stephy: Interesting.

Me: Please don’t say anything weird while we’re there.

Grandma Stephy: I’ll try my best, but no promises.

“So what’d she say?” Kyler asks. “Will she help us out?”

I glance from the screen and find him standing in front of me, close enough I can smell his cologne. “She said she’s down.”

“Really? That’s so fucking awesome. Thanks, Isa.” He hugs me. Actually freaking hugs me, with both arms and everything. “I owe you big time. And not just for the cookies, but for teaching me how to kick ass at free shots.”

“I am pretty awesome,” I joke, daring to wrap an arm around him and hug him back.

“You’re more than awesome. You’re like the awesomest of awesomeness.”

I smile at his sentence, because it sounds like something I would say.

“Okay, who died?” Kai says, sounding like he’s right next to us.

“Huh?” Kyler pulls away from me and his gaze cuts to his brother. “What are you talking about? No one died.”

He might be wrong, because I’m pretty sure my heart stopped beating for a second or two there.

Kai gives me a condemning look as he drops his jacket onto the table. “I don’t know. Isa might have.”

My lips do a great Elvis impression as Kai and I stare each other down. Surprisingly, Kai is the one to give in first and whisks by me to grab a package of Oreos from the cupboard.

“Well, it looks like you two are having a fan-fucking-tastic time,” Kai says dryly to Kyler and me. “I’ll leave you guys to your awkward hugging.”

“I actually came here to bring you your phone,” I call out after him as he turns to leave the room. “I somehow ended up with it last night.”

He turns around, facing me again. “I was wondering where that went. I was worried I lost it at Bradon’s and he’d already hocked it.” I notice a red mark on the side of his cheek and wonder if it’s from where his dad slapped him upside the head last night.

You need to make sure everything’s okay.

“He sounds like a great friend,” Kyler says sarcastically as he puts the eggs back into the fridge.

“Yep, the best,” Kai quips, peeling apart an Oreo to lick off the frosting. Then he fixes his eyes on me. “Did you bring my phone with you? I’ve been expecting a few texts.”

Kyler chucks it at him before I can answer.

Luckily, Kai has the reflexes of a ninja and he effortlessly catches it. “Thanks.” He smiles at Kyler, but it’s not a friendly smile. “Have fun with your new friend, Isa.” He winks at me, trying to get under my skin, then turns to leave, scrolling through his messages.

I hurry after him as he walks toward the stairway. “Who’s this T guy?”

He glances down at me, not looking very happy. “You know who he is. He’s that dude who talked to us last night.”

“But who is he exactly?”

“Just some dude.”

“Don’t lie to me, Kai. I read one of your messages from him.” I shift my weight as he glares at me. “It wasn’t on purpose. I thought it was my phone.”

“You should probably just forget what you read.” He punches a few buttons then stuffs it into the back pocket of his worn jeans.

“Are you in trouble?” I ask. “Because that message . . . it sounded like you were in trouble.”

“I’m always in trouble,” he replies simply then stuffs a cookie into his mouth and licks his lips.

His tongue.