Chapter 13
Skylar climbed out of the limo at the address Jami had given her. She stared at the domestic-looking house. It was a sprawling ranch-style, whereas the one they’d grown up in had been a two-story. The comparison reminded her that her childhood home had burned to the ground and Jami hadn’t even bothered to tell her at the time. Not that she truly cared that any mementos were gone. Her mother had been all about her father, and he’d been an emotionless, logical man before the car accident turned him into an angry, forgetful prick.
That her sister had been willing to put her life on hold for so long to take care of him, when he really hadn’t been there, had irritated Skylar more than anything. There was no way in hell she would have been willing to do the same, and she’d never felt guilty for taking off when they were teenagers.
Well, except for leaving without warning Jami about Andrew Raneer, the supposed family friend who had a thing for those he could control—though that hadn’t been Skylar, thank God. One failed attempt had cured him of the idea. She hadn’t been worried for Jami back then. She’d always thought her older sister could take care of herself. Of course, she bet her sister thought the same about her.
Skylar studied the multiple cars in the driveway as she clomped to the front door. Her sister had mentioned she was having a couple of friends over. Nerves skimmed over her arms as she rang the bell. She’d always been the social butterfly back when they were kids, but she wasn’t so much anymore.
The door opened with barely any delay, as if her sister had been standing there waiting. “Skylar!” Jami hugged her.
Jami’s hugs had always been a lot warmer and more comforting than their actual mother’s. “Hey, Jame.” Skylar let the arms hold her a little longer before stepping back. “Shit, you look amazing.”
Jami smiled. “That’s because Malcolm is a sugar and butter pusher. Though only because he realized I’ve got a crazy sweet tooth.” She stepped back, waving Skylar in. “Come on, I want you to meet my friends before they take off.”
“No need to toss them to the curb for me.” Skylar stepped into the foyer.
“I know. It’s for me, not you.” Jami led the way deeper into the house. “I haven’t seen you for months, what with your touring. Honestly, I would have never invited them over tonight if I’d known you were coming.”
“I slept more of the day away than I intended.” While Skylar felt a twinge of guilt, true, restful sleep was rare enough for her that she could keep the full brunt of the emotion down.
“No, that wasn’t aimed at you. I’ve always loved how spontaneous you are.” There was no bite to her sister’s continued smile. That was one thing Skylar had always missed. Her sister had none of the cattiness that most women did.
Her eyes slid past Jami to the three other women in the room. Most women never took to Skylar, or only pretended to. She shoved the memory of her time with her band away. Back in the beginning, it had been all women, and she’d fooled herself into believing things were good.
A tall blonde jumped up from the couch. “Hey, chick! You must be Jami’s sister.” The woman strode over to slap Skylar on the arm, and she was even taller when she stood that close.
“Give her some space, Erin,” a brunette said with an eyeroll. “She’s barely walked in the door.”
Jami laughed. “It’s fine, Katie. Skylar doesn’t scare off easily. Here, let me introduce you.” She rattled off their names, and Skylar’s eyes lingered on the delicate-looking woman who hadn’t said anything yet. The name Celia came up often in her conversations with Jami, enough that Skylar had started to become a little jealous. It wasn’t the woman’s fault that Skylar sucked as a sister.
She tilted her head back to meet the tall blonde’s gaze again instead. “Lynch, huh? You must be Mr. Sweetface’s sister.” It was funny. Damon never made Skylar feel so small.
“Is that what you call Dame?” Erin laughed, the sound full and catching enough to make Skylar’s own lips twitch. “I saw all the buzz about you two. Surprised the shit out of me. You’re way cooler than my brother.” She turned and flopped back onto the sofa. “It’s still hard to believe that a dweeb like him is a rock star.”
Picturing Damon with that intent look on his face as she rode him was the worst image ever to have around his sister. “He can be kind of cool,” Skylar admitted as she shoved her hands into the back pockets of her shorts. “But his music is a bit too soft for me.”
“I like yours,” Erin admitted. “It’s awesome when I want a good run.”
Katie frowned at her. “You said you were still easing in there.”
Erin rolled her shoulders. “The doc gave me the all clear. I told you that.”
“Yeah, like a week ago.” The brunette sent her friend a glare. “Does Nicholas know you’re running again?”
“He’s not the boss of me,” Erin fired back.
“No, but you listen to his concern more than mine, despite having known me longer.” This time, Katie pouted.
Erin sighed. “Stop worrying. I haven’t done anything that would jeopardize my healing.”
“Were you sick or something?” Skylar asked. She hated being talked around.
“Oh, just a shoulder injury.” Erin waved the topic away. “Sorry, I just meant to say I love your music.”
Skylar shifted where she stood, wondering if the woman thought compliments would work on her. “It’s always good to have fans.”
“Why don’t you have a seat?” Jami suggested. “Can I get you anything to drink?”
Skylar glanced at the beer cans that were open on the table and shook her head. “No alcohol for me.” She perched on the sofa next to Damon’s sister.
“Oh, no, I know that.” Jami bit her lip. “I meant water or something.”
“I’m all good,” Skylar repeated. “Just chill already, Jame.”
“You don’t drink alcohol?” Katie asked.
Skylar shrugged, letting her hands dangle between her legs. “Yeah, well, rehab does that kind of shit.”
The brunette flushed. “Oh, sorry.”
“No worries. I was pretty fucking public about it.” It had been a perfect excuse for why she’d left the band. “Luckily for me, it stuck.” No way in hell would she allow herself to be that out of control again.
“I was proud of you, Skylar,” Jami said. “With Dad, I couldn’t visit much, but you owned your recovery.”
“That’s no joke,” Erin agreed, settling into the back of the couch. “I remember following the story back then. I tracked down Damon to ask him some pointed questions, but he’s always been a choirboy.”
“He blushes prettily,” Skylar said with a smirk.
Erin flashed a matching one. “Oh yeah, he was all red when you planted one on him at that interview, chick. He said you surprised him or something?”
“I gave in to an impulse,” Skylar admitted. “We’re not a thing, despite what the press is saying.”
“Well, that’s because of all you said,” Jami reminded her. “How are you handling the backlash?”
Skylar stared down at her lap. “I’ve always got haters, Jame.”
“It’s because you rock,” Erin said.
Skylar’s gaze shifted back to her in surprise.
“Don’t let the idiots get you down. So, you hanging around my brother for a while?”
Skylar nodded. “That’s the current plan. We’ll break things off publicly sometime before we tour.”
“So there really isn’t anything between you two?” Katie asked, tilting her head as she studied Skylar.
Skylar shook her head, despite the tingling that started in her fingers when she thought about taking him inside her earlier that day. That hadn’t been about Damon himself, and if the way he’d looked at her in the suite was a sign, it had given him an interest in things she’d rather avoid. It was one reason she’d run off to see her sister, despite how late it already was and her having company over.
“I was glad you stepped in.” Erin frowned as she reached for the open beer. “That crazed-fan crap freaks him out.”
“With good reason,” Celia said quietly. “Even the investigators Trenton hired failed at identifying the person.”
Jami folded her arms over her chest. “Malcolm has been worried about the situation too.”
Skylar frowned. “Wait, it’s been going on that long?” She’d had a stalker once, but it had been during her initial bar gigs, and the cops had taken care of it after the bouncers stepped in.
“I guess he still doesn’t like to talk about it.” Erin drained her beer. The can clanged hollowly as she set it back on the coffee table.
Skylar’s mind turned over Damon’s problem as she stared vacantly at the empty can. With more details, she might have been able to help him more, as a kind of repayment for his earlier gesture. She preferred one-upping anyone who did her a favor; that way, they couldn’t cash in on an IOU later. And him giving into her need for sex had been one hell of a favor, even if he’d more than enjoyed it.
“Oh, sorry, chick.” Erin’s voice cut into her thoughts. “I didn’t mean to tempt you.”
Skylar realized what she’d been staring at. Her nose wrinkled. “Beer was never my poison.”
“Is being around alcohol a problem for you?” Katie asked.
Jami picked up the empty can. “I can get rid of it.” She headed toward the kitchen before Skylar could wave her gesture off.
“No need to tiptoe around me. I handle my shit.” Her fingers linked where they continued to dangle between her legs. Only during the panic attacks was her shit not handled. That was why she hated them so much.
“But you shouldn’t have to, not here,” Jami said.
Skylar sighed. “It’s really not a problem.” She doubted she’d ever be tempted again. “It pisses me off when people act like I’m broken or some shit.” She wanted to kick herself when Jami tensed out of the corner of her eye. “Just ignore the whole rehab thing. I told you all, it took.”
“So it wouldn’t be rude to invite you to a girls’ night later this week?” Erin asked.
Skylar lifted an eyebrow, assuming it was a pity invite.
“You should come.” Jami’s expression had smoothed when she came back into view. “You always bring the fun.”
“Sure, I’ll think about it.” Skylar wondered if the paparazzi would be too much. She’d had the limo drop her off at a bar and then slipped out the back again before heading to Jami’s place. Her sister had been through enough without the press tracking her down. There was a reason Skylar only went by her first name.
Celia stood up. “We should let these two catch up,” she suggested to the other women.
“You don’t—” Skylar started to say, but Jami stepped closer.
“Thanks, I’d like that,” Jami said with a smile for her friends. Her eyes landed on Skylar. “I’ll walk them out and be right back.”
“Sure,” Skylar said, accepting a pat on her shoulder from Erin before they all headed to the front door. She watched as Celia hugged her sister, saying something she couldn’t hear. The quiet woman was the last one to leave.
“I fucked things up for you, didn’t I?” Skylar asked as Jami walked back into the living room.
Jami shook her head. “Not at all. Celia just knows me too well.” She sat on the couch next to Skylar, curling her legs up under her. “I’m glad you came, Skylar.”
“Oh.” Skylar felt kind of warm and itchy. “Okay, then.” She tried to settle back as well, but then didn’t know what to do with her hands. “So, tell me how things are going with this guy of yours.” Her gaze danced around the room, but she couldn’t say whether or not the decor looked like her sister. “You’ve been living together, right?”
“Yeah. Malcolm will be home once the tavern closes.”
Skylar nodded. “Oh, right. He runs a bar.”
“More of a restaurant, actually. It really suits Malcolm.” Jami had a small smile Skylar envied. It looked so peaceful. “I still work at the tavern during the lunch shifts, but I’m taking more classes in the evenings this semester.”
Skylar’s eyes shifted to the laptop she’d noticed on the counter right off of the kitchen. “How’s that going?”
“I love it. Thanks for helping with the expenses. You gave me the push I needed.” Jami’s smile slid into one Skylar remembered from back when they were kids. “I’ve been writing again too. It’s felt amazing.”
Something inside Skylar softened. “You deserve a little amazing.” Her sister had often been a mini mom to her, always taking care of someone else and never herself despite Skylar trying to give her more freedom.
“I never thought I could be this happy,” Jami admitted.
“Sounds like Muscles is treating you right.” When her sister flushed, the jealousy Skylar felt spiked.
“He’s it for me, Skylar. If the car accident hadn’t happened”—some of Jami’s smile fell—“we would have been together for a long time now.”
“Maybe, maybe not.” Skylar shrugged when her sister’s eyes lifted to hers in surprise. “You never know how things will go, Jame. But I’m happy that you’ve kicked Drew to the fucking curb. Is that prick still locked up?”
Jami hesitated, then shook her head. “He never was. The prosecutor didn’t have enough to make the arson charges stick.”
“Fuck the arson,” Skylar snapped. She hated it, but a part of her was grateful the asshole had killed their father. It had set her sister free. “Didn’t that prick attack you on campus?”
Jami blinked. “Oh. I’d almost forgotten about that.”
“Forgotten?” Skylar felt like ants were crawling over her skin when she pictured Andrew Raneer with his hands on her sister.
“Yes.” Jami’s face softened again. “It’s strange. I don’t think about him much anymore. He took a plea deal for the charges from the assault.”
“He got fucking community service?” Skylar guessed. The tension inside her wouldn’t let her sit any longer. She shoved up to pace, her boots loud even crossing the carpet.
“Don’t be upset on my count, Skylar. I really am fine now.”
Skylar wasn’t. Andrew Raneer had cornered her once, back before she’d run away. Of course, that was nothing compared to what he’d put her sister through. “How can you not want him to pay?” Her mind slid to Jack, and Skylar’s hands tightened into fists.
“Skylar?” Jami called softly.
Skylar hated the way her sister was studying her. She forced her hands to unclench, running them through her hair instead.
“Are you all right?”
“Fine. I’m fine.” Skylar cleared her throat. “Look, if you’re cool with it, I’ll try to be. I just don’t get it.”
“Andrew has no hold over me anymore,” Jami said. “That’s enough for me.”
Skylar’s vision blurred. She wondered if she could say the same about Jack. The thought that she couldn’t made her breath hitch in her throat.
“If you’re worried Andrew will attack me again, please don’t be. I don’t think he will.” A new smile formed on Jami’s face, one that wasn’t so gentle. “Not after I defended myself.”
Skylar liked that particular look on her sister. “Nice, Jame.” Her pacing had stopped. She took a deeper breath before slowly letting it out. “Plus, Muscles beat him to a pulp. That must have been fucking hot.”
The flush returned to her cheeks. “I do enjoy Malcolm’s protective streak,” Jami admitted.
Skylar moved back to the couch. Nerves snaked through her as she tried to forget that stupid hitch her breathing had taken. “Ooh, this is what I’m here for. We can’t talk sex over the phone.”
Jami shook her head. “You know, Erin reminds me a lot of you. You two might get along.”
“Don’t deflect.” Skylar grinned at her sister as her elbow perched on the back of the couch and she leaned her head against her hand. “Give me all the deets before he gets home.”
She enjoyed the way her sister talked about her new man. He sounded sexy as hell, even if Jami refused to give up the juicy bits. Happiness looked good on her sister. For once, Jami made her feel like the younger sister for real. Oh, she’d always been mothering, but a little na?ve. Skylar was a lot more worldly, even as a teen. Jami’s new sense of contentedness gave her the maturity she’d been missing.
“Don’t think you’re going to get me to talk about Malcolm all night,” Jami warned. “You’ve been a little off. Does it have anything to do with Damon Lynch?”
Skylar had enjoyed a reprieve from thinking about the confusing rock star. “Nah. He’s way too sweet for the likes of me, Jami.”
“He seemed nice, the few times I’ve talked to him. Malcolm has told me a little about him. It doesn’t sound like he dates much.” Jami’s gaze was a little too knowing as she studied her sister. “Kind of like you.”
Skylar looked away. “I get around plenty.”
“You have sex,” Jami said. “I haven’t heard about any guy in particular since Jack. Was the breakup back then that bad?”
Skylar’s chest tightened. “Fuck him. I don’t want to talk about it.”
“You’ve never wanted to talk about it.” Jami frowned. “That’s the reason I’m asking. Honestly, I haven’t been present for a while. Back when Dad was alive…” Jami sighed. “Skylar, I know I wasn’t a good sister over the years.”
“Fuck that. You took care of me after Dad turned into a zombie and Mom died. Hell, even before that. Those two should have never had kids.” Skylar reached out, squeezing her sister’s knee. “I’ve got no angst over you, Jame. Don’t you fucking apologize.”
Jami looked at her steadily. “Guilt can be a strange thing, Skylar.”
Skylar shrugged. “Fuck guilt. Try to be more like me.” Her grin felt a little brittle. “I don’t regret a thing.”
“Is that really true?” Jami asked.
Skylar was saved by the click of the front door. “Ah, that must be Muscles.” She shoved to her feet as he moved into the house.
Malcolm was a fine specimen, if you were into the brawler type. Skylar realized the nickname she’d given him wasn’t a mistake. His arms were fucking glorious, and that dark hair of his wasn’t half bad where it curled around his collar.
“Ooh, I’d fuck him,” Skylar said with a grin.
Malcolm’s eyebrows shot up. “I’ll take that as a compliment.” He walked straight to Jami, bending to plant a kiss on her lips, one that surprised Skylar by lingering even in front of their company.
Jami had a glow when he lifted away. “Welcome home,” she said to him. They stared at each other like Skylar wasn’t even there.
“Well, nice to see you, too,” Skylar said with a laugh to break the silence.
Malcolm shifted, sitting on the couch next to Jami. “It’s nice to meet you, Skylar.” His fingers linked with Jami’s, but he wasn’t flaunting their connection. It was more of an unconscious gesture. “I last saw you at the funeral, but that wasn’t a time for introductions.”
“Hell no,” Skylar agreed. Her hands found her back pockets again.
“Damon told me how you helped him out when he stopped by the tavern last night,” Malcolm added. “He’s a good friend. Thanks for that.”
Skylar shrugged. “I’m always good for some tongue.”
“Skylar,” Jami warned.
Skylar held up her hands in surrender. “Shit, I’m kidding. Mostly, anyway.” She tilted her head, liking the way they looked together as a couple.
“I should let you two continue to catch up,” Malcolm said, starting to rise.
Skylar waved him back down. “Nah, it’s getting late. I’m going to fuck off for tonight.”
“We have a guest room,” Jami offered, a light in her eyes.
It was a tempting offer. Avoidance was kind of Skylar’s thing, and Damon seemed like the type that would want to talk. She eyed her sister. Of course, Jami had been pressing her too. “Rain check,” Skylar decided. Hell, maybe Damon would be asleep back at the suite.
Jami rose to walk her to the door. Skylar let herself enjoy the tightness of another hug.
“Don’t make me track you down,” Jami murmured, lifting away from her.
“Oh, I don’t know.” Skylar laughed, not making any promises. “I like to be pursued.” She strode out to the waiting limo, not sure why, but feeling a bit like she had escaped.