Chapter 11 West
WEST
Pete’s words echoed in my head all the way back to Lex and Cara’s apartment.
“I’ll be there to pick up the pieces.” I’d had no idea just how much I’d hurt Lex by keeping her at arm’s length.
And Pete was right. He would be the one there for the long haul.
Not me. I hated that idea more than anything.
I pulled into a parking spot in front of the bike shop, and Lex was out before I could turn off the truck. I grumbled something under my breath and followed her. “Give me your keys.”
Her steps faltered. “Why?”
“You’re not going in anywhere first. I need to check it out.”
“Cara’s home. It’s not like I’m going into a dark, abandoned building.”
I held out my hand.
She rolled her eyes but dropped the keys into my palm.
I climbed the stairs and unlocked the door. “Care Bear?”
“Yeah?” A second later, she emerged from her room, glasses perched on her nose, which told me she’d been studying.
“I need you to pack some stuff. You’re going to stay with Dad for a couple of weeks.”
Worry instantly swept over her face. “What happened?”
Lex squeezed her fingers together. “Someone left a dead rat in my locker at work.”
Cara gaped at her. “This is seriously fucked.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself. “We’re moving Lex to a safe house. But you need to be out of the apartment.”
“I can come with you guys—”
I shook my head. “Go stay with Dad.”
“Fine. Where are you going?”
“The fewer people who know, the better,” I said.
“Whatever,” she huffed. “You’d better catch this creep, and fast.” Cara pulled Lex into a hug. “Stay safe, okay?”
“I will. You, too.”
“I’m gonna miss you.”
Lex squeezed Cara tighter. “We’ll be back watching horrible reality TV in no time.”
“You’d better not watch Sir Douche That Dates a Dozen Women without me.”
Lex chuckled. “I solemnly swear.”
“Good.” Cara released her. “Go pack so you can get out of here.”
Lex nodded, heading for her bedroom.
Cara turned to me. “I love that girl like a sister. You have to find out who’s doing this.”
I met my sister’s gaze. “I will. I promise.”
I didn’t usually make promises on the job because you never knew what would happen. But this was one case where I could. Because there was no other option. Lex would be safe because I would make her that way.
Cara hugged me tight. “Thank you.”
She didn’t have to thank me. I would’ve done anything for Lex.
Cara started for her room to pack. I headed for Lex’s.
The door was wide open. She stood in the middle of the space, staring down at her phone. There was only one word to describe her expression. Pained.
“What’s wrong?”
Lex’s head snapped up, and she shoved her phone back into her pocket. “Nothing.”
“The look on your face does not say nothing.”
She dropped onto her bed. “My parents. Making sure I know how displeased they are with my life choices.”
I tried to stay where I was, but the pull of Lex was too strong, especially when I knew she was hurting. It was more than I could bear. I crossed to the bed and sat next to her. “What’s going on?”
Lex stared down at her fingers. “They think me playing music is stupid. Hate that I didn’t go to college instead. But I’m happy. I don’t need some fancy job.”
My hand moved of its own volition, covering her smaller one.
Her skin was so smooth but dotted with calluses on her fingertips from all the time spent playing her guitar.
“No one gets to decide what your purpose in life is other than you. And you have a gift. It moves people. Makes them feel seen. It’s made me feel seen. ”
After my mom died, I would listen to Lex play for hours. It was the only comfort I had back then.
Lex’s gaze lifted to mine, her eyes glistening. “Best compliment I could ever get.”
“It’s the truth.”
Her phone dinged again, and she grimaced. “They think what’s happening is my fault. All because I put my music out there for the world. They said it’s irresponsible.”
Anger flared to life somewhere deep. “That’s a bunch of bull.”
She shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not. But I can’t not play. It’s a part of me.”
I could see the pain swirling inside her—pain at her parents not seeing one of the most vital parts of her, not cherishing it.
I cupped her face with my hands. “Don’t give this up. Not for anyone.”
Lex’s breath hitched. We stayed frozen in the moment that was only ours. She leaned closer, and I couldn’t stop myself, I met her there. My mouth took hers, tongue sliding inside.
Lex’s taste nearly killed me—mint and something beyond description. I wanted to drown in it.
She pushed into me, seeking more. I growled into her mouth, deepening the kiss.
“Holt’s here,” Cara yelled from the living room.
I jerked back as if I’d been burned. What the hell had I done?
I shoved to my feet. “I’m sorry. I can’t.”