His eyes snap up to meet mine and he levels me with a stare, the corners of his lips turning up with the hint of a smile. “You’re the fucking protégé. Figure it out.”
5
Opal
I’ve only beenat the house a few days, but it’s surreal waking up in a bed other than the same one I’ve slept in my entire life. I thought maybe by now I’d be homesick, or even let fear run me back to Destin, but with each day I’m more assured in my decision to leave.
I may not have a home, or even family, but I’m determined to find my place in the world, even if the journey leads me through a mistake or two. Since Grams passed, I haven’t been living, and now that I’m willing to take the risk, there’s an energy deep in my soul begging to be let loose. I’m not sure what’s on the horizon, but I’m eager to find out.
I head downstairs and eat breakfast before anyone else is awake, then shower and get dressed. Lexi’s leaving today and while I want to say good-bye, I also don’t want to interrupt her time with Trent before she catches her flight.
I’m glad we’ll be hitting the road, too. As much as it makes me nervous—touring with a band of rock stars is nothing short of intimidating for a country mouse like me—I’m ready for an adventure. The idle time here at the house is making me restless. I’m not accustomed to so much down time. I’ve always had school, or work, or house chores. Here, I don’t even know whether it’s okay to go for a walk, or where to go if I did venture outside the gates. Padding over to the large windows, I pull open the shutters and gaze out at the hilltop neighborhood.
A knock on the door startles me from my thoughts. “Come in.”
“Hey.” Lexi pushes open the door and walks inside.
“Hey.” I raise my hand in a wave, but then shove it behind my back, aware of how awkward a greeting it is.
She takes a few steps forward, glancing around the room without meeting my stare. “I’m sorry we haven’t had much time.”
“Oh, it’s fine.” I don’t expect her undivided attention. Especially not when she and the band are grieving the loss of a friend.
She lifts her gaze and in the depths of her eyes I find worry. Apprehension. “I . . . um . . . I don’t know how to ask this without being insensitive. Or making things weird.”
My heart races with fear. She wouldn’t send me away. Not now?
She pulls an envelope from behind her back, along with a cell phone and holds them out. “I don’t know exactly what your financial situation is, but I want you to have these.”
I drop my gaze to the plush carpet floor. “You don’t have to do that. I didn’t come here for money.” I have nothing but two hundred dollars to my name, and not much in the way of material possessions, but I would never ask her for cash.
“Take it. It’s more for me than you. I don’t want you to get stuck in a situation where you don’t have money, and I want us to be able to call each other. It’ll make me feel better.”
“Okay.” My hands shake as I take the gifts.
“There’s some cash and a debit card. I wrote down the PIN. There’s only a few hundred in the account, but I can add more. Just let me know.”
“Thank you.” My well-ingrained manners push forward the sentiment, but my pride will keep me from using this as long as I can. I won’t ask for more.
“You’ll be okay,” she says, and I don’t know whether that’s more for her assurance or mine. “Call me if you need anything. Anytime. I mean it.”
“Don’t worry about me.” I don’t want to be a burden but I can tell by the lines that etch against the normally smooth skin of her forehead, it’s exactly what I am. “You’ve done so much, and you don’t owe me anything.”
“I feel I haven’t done enough, but I’m excited we’ll get to spend time together. I only have another three weeks of my tour.” Her lips press into a line. “You sure this is okay? If you’d rather go back to Destin, I’d understand.”
“I can’t go back.” I shake my head.
Her lips tick up with the trace of a smile and she reaches out her hand, giving mine a slight squeeze. “I understand. When you’re ready to talk about it, I’m here.”
Emotion clogs in my throat, more from the possibility of growing a real friendship with my half-sister than rehashing my fight with Gramps. “Thanks, Lexi.”
Trent raps at the door and steps inside. “You ready to go?”
“Yep. All packed.” She smiles at her boyfriend before meeting my gaze. “See you soon.” She wraps her arms around me in an embrace that feels as if she really cares. “I’ll call you.”
“I’ll be fine.” I smile and step out of her arms.
Trent winks and flashes a brilliant smile. “That’s right. She’s in the safety of Three Ugly Guys.”
