Dangerous Crush (Dangerous Noise 2)

"NYU might be on spring break."

Ethan shoots me a death glare.

"You could call Violet. Apologize for dumping her because she was mourning her brother."

"She's the one who left."

"You forced her to leave."

"Even if that was true, and you know it's not, she's the one who left."

"Do you even enjoy fucking strangers?"

He stares at me. "This didn't work over winter break. It didn't work last summer. Why do you think it's going to work this time?"

"I believe in true love." I flip him off as playfully as I can. It's still bright. And loud. And I'm remembering something about promising to take Kit to get his bike.

I know he can handle it on his own, but it's my fault he's parked on some random street in Long Beach. I want to help him fix it.

Ethan shakes his head at me. Oh, Pipes, don't you see that's not how things work in the real world where the grown-ups play.

I'd let it go if Ethan really seemed happy. But I can tell he doesn't get anything out of sleeping with strangers. I can tell he misses Violet—the two of them were together for three years and they were the happiest couple anyone had ever seen.

Violet is practically my older sister. She taught me how to do smoky eye. She taught me how to blow dry my hair. She taught me how to pick out shoes that are cute and comfortable. My mom isn't around to help with girl stuff and Ethan and Mal aren't exact

ly experts.

"You have plans today?" Ethan takes a long sip of his coffee.

"I'm going to head to L.A." I study Ethan's expression. He seems to accept my answer as not needing more detail. It's ridiculous that I need to explain myself. I'm nineteen. I'm an adult. I shouldn't have to justify my plans.

Even if I'm lying by omission.

Maybe I'm being paranoid. Ethan isn't looking at me in a particularly suspicious or protective way. He occasionally growls at my jokes about screwing around, but that's about it. Those don't even phase Mal anymore. If anything, he enjoys teasing me back. He's gotten really good at it.

Ethan nods. "Be home for dinner?"

"Depends on traffic." I finish my coffee with a long swig. "You heading out?"

He nods to the practice room. "I'll be here all afternoon."

Despite my headache, I have to smile. Ethan is a perfectionist. If I had more energy, I'd tease him about it.

Instead, I hug him goodbye and trudge upstairs with another cup of coffee.

My phone is sitting on my desk, fully charged, completely free of any important text messages.

I try not to read into it. I did promise Kit I'd give him a ride to his bike. I'm doing that.

Piper: Hey. You up?

Kit: You slept late.

Piper: It's spring break.

Kit: Even so.

Piper: Already got the lecture from Ethan.