Page 104 of Derailed


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“Guys. That’s enough.” Lex calls out and steps between the two. She meets Austin’s stare with her hands on her hips. “This is my sister.Mysister. She’s family. You do this for me, because I’d do this for you.” It shuts us all up and the space falls silent. “I finish up my tour in a few weeks, and until I can join you, I trust you’ll watch out forher.”

“Thank you for having me.” Opal’s southern drawl is as sweet as her face. “Really, I’m so thankful. To Lexi. Andy’all.”

“How old do you think she is?” Austin whispers in myear.

I elbow him in theribs.

“Right. Lex’ssister.”

I throw him a side glare. “Not to mention Trent will kick yourass.”

“Whose ass am I kicking?” Trent lifts his brows and Austin chooses that moment to refill his glass from the sink.Smartmove.

I grab a stack of dishes from the cabinet and scoop servings onto each plate, glad I made so much. Jess pulls out condiments and juice, and butters extra pieces of toast without me having to ask. Everyone else grabs a plate and we sit together at the table to eat breakfast. Lexi entertains us with tales from her tour. It’s the most normal moment we’ve shared since Iz’spassing.

“When do you fly back?” I askLexi.

“Tomorrow morning.” She shrugs and spins her fork on her empty plate. “Wish I could stay longer, but I play Boston tomorrownight.”

“We hit the road in two days anyway,” Trent says, his gaze falling on Lexi. “But that’s okay. Won’t be too much longer till I get you to myself every nightagain.”

Her lips tick up with her smile. I’m happy for them. That they’ve made it work between crazy travel schedules and separate tours gives me hope that eventually Jess and I might have a relationship likethat.

Lexi clears her throat. “I know it’s short notice, but since we’re all together I was actually hoping we could do something tonight. In memory ofIz.”

“What’d you have in mind?” I lean forward in my chair and chance a glance at each of the guys. We haven’t talked much about Iz. It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just there’s not much to say. How do you make peace when the man you once considered a friend and bandmate chooses death overlife?

“Something simple here at the house,” Lexi says, and she reaches for Austin’s shoulder. “What do youthink?”

He blinks twice and clears his throat. “Outside.” He blinks again and this time sniffles as if he might cry. “Iz always liked looking at thestars.”

Lexi smiles. “It’s a plan. After the sun sets. We’ll do itthen.”

* * *

Later that eveningJess and I make our way into the backyard with Lexi and Trent. Austin’s already in the center of the sitting area. A flame of orange illuminates hissmile.

“A fire? It’s kinda warm enough.” I laugh as Austin stokes the blaze in the metal fire pit on this mild summernight.

“Ambiance, my friend. Besides, it doesn’t feel right celebrating Iz without the scent of something burning. I thought a joint would be in bad taste.” He winks with his joke but no onelaughs.

“Good call.” I swear this guy doesn’t grow up. Hasn’t in the ten plus years I’ve knownhim.

Lexi’s gaze is set on the fire and Trent runs back inside to grab a cooler of drinks. I step away from Jess to check on her. “So, asister?”

“Yeah. Crazy, huh?” She peers up and shakes her head as if she doesn’t really believe it’s possible. “She’s a good person. We’ve been getting to know each other since my dad passed. She was living with family . . . It’s complicated. Anyway, I appreciate you guys watching out for her until I can join you. I’d take her on my bus, but there’s no one besides me to look out for her. Trent said it wouldn’t be a problem, but now I’m not so sure.” Her gaze rests onAustin.

“Hey.” I shake my head. “You managed to reform Trent, and for some reason you keep him around. The least we can do is keep an eye on your sister a fewweeks.”

“Funny, that’s what Trent said.” She bumps my shoulder withhers.

“I’ve missed you,Lexi.”

Her smile falls as her gaze drifts back to the fire. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here. Maybe if I had been. If I’d gone to see him? He might still behere.”

“No, don’t. You can’t even think that. His addiction was bigger than any of us. It’s not your fault. It’s not mine. We can’t think that way. Iz wouldn’t have it.” At least that’s what I tell myself. How I’m finding peace in hisabsence.

“You’re right.” She wipes under her eyes. “You’re exactlyright.”