Page 64 of Wild Like Us

BANKS MORETTI

“I kissed her.”

This confession should probably be made to a priest or a higher being, but right now my brother is the most holy thing I’ve got in a five-hundred-meter vicinity. In short: I’m fucked.

Thatcher grabs my forearm and pulls me further into the shadows. Away from the motel’s flickeringvacancysign that’s changed tono vacancy.Even further away from the motel’s parking lot where the rest of SFO linger beside two rental cars.

At the corner of the motel, it’s just me and my brother. Half-hidden by an overflowing dumpster and the darkness. In earshot of nobody.

Even among busted streetlights, I can still see Thatcher’s expression clear as day. Maybe because I’ve seen that intense look before.

“Say again,” Thatcher whispers, his voice deep and low.

“I kissed her,” I reply in the same tone. “You know mouth-to-mouth—”

“I know what kissing is,” Thatcher snaps. “I’m just processing the fact that you actually went through with it.”

My brother knows I’ve been into Sulli since I’ve started spending more time with her, but like me, he’s also known that Akara Kitsuwon is in lovewith her. Unlike me, he’s not questioning the true depth of our friend’s denial.

TheDo Not Entersign in the direction of Sullivan Meadows was torn down tonight. I ripped through it. For better or worse, I’m here.

Just as I open my mouth, my phone buzzes. I check the message.

You’re still waiting to tell Akara right? Bc I still want to do it with you– Mermaid

I text back quickly:Haven’t told him. I promise I won’t without you

Thanks :)– Mermaid

She adds a high-five emoji. My lip almost curves up. When I pocket my phone, my brother gives me a harder look. Like he knows who that was.

“I really like her, Thatcher,” I say in an urgent whisper. “It wasn’t some impulsive thing.” My heart pounds harder,harder.“I’ve thought about it. I waited.I waited.” I tilt my head back, then forward, then thread my arms over my tight chest, agonized over something. “Akara might be my best friend, but I know I’m not hisbestfriend. You’re it—”

“You always say that,” Thatcher interjects grumpily.

“Cause it’s the fuckin’ truth.” I raise my tensed shoulders. “You and him share responsibilities that I’ll never have. You’re his go-to. His—”

“Ride-or-die,” Thatcher finishes. “What are you getting at, Banks?”

“If you were the one to kiss Sulli, he’d keep talking to you. He’d shove past it. Me?” I shake my head firmly. Seeing Thatcher at the motel just reminds me that Akara is closer to him.

Thatcher doesn’t blink. His stern eyes speak words that are hidden somewhere in my mind. “You think Akara makesmoreexceptionsfor me than he does for you? He’ll let you off the hook a thousand times in any ass-backwards, shit-fucked direction.”

I’m about to shake my head.

“Banks, he’sseenyou flirt with her and what’s he done about it?”

Alright, my brother has a point.

But I drag my gaze towards the rotting trash in the dumpster, then to the motel room where Charlie, Jane, and Maximoff have left. They’re talking and walking to their parked rental cars.

We watch them intently. Really, my brother is watching Jane.But he doesn’t move a muscle because Farrow, Oscar, and Akara are in range to protect her. Still, we go quiet. Hawk-eyeing their surroundings from afar, our vigilant gazes sweep the outside of the motel.

No threats that I can see or hear.

Sulli didn’t leave with her cousins.

She must still be in the room, and I watch as Maximoff gestures Farrow over.