Beneath the Stars (Falling Stars #4) - A.L. Jackson Page 0,44

it anyway.

Maybe I really was insane.

Unstable.

Prone to all sorts of treacherous things.

F-fuckin’-minus.

Mel slowly peeled herself from me and turned around, and Maggie jerked her attention from where it’d been locked on me and turned all of it on Melanie.

“Hey, hi, Melanie.”

“Hi, Maggie,” Mel returned, voice way too bright. “It’s so good to see you. It’s been way too long.”

Maggie looked at her as if she were worried. Taking her in. Searching deeper. Glancing at me for the hottest second in all of history. “I’m really sorry to interrupt. I was just going to grab some waters to take to Emily’s room. They’re almost out.”

“Oh, no worries. Come right in.” Another high-pitched peep from Mel. “How is that baby?”

“Beautiful.” Maggie answered it with a rush of awe. Like she couldn’t possibly answer any other way.

“Gah. I can’t wait to get some Auntie Mel snuggles,” Mel gushed and drawled. And they called me the exaggerator. “It’s been three whole weeks since I’ve seen her and I’m havin’ withdrawals.”

“I’m sure they’re both going to be excited to see you,” Maggie told her. “Honestly, I think Emily is still having some adjustment issues living in Los Angeles.”

“Well, that’s because she went and let your brother steal her away from where she belongs.” It was all a tease from Mel, and Maggie was smiling softly, fully understanding.

“I’m sure it’s really hard for all of you.”

When I couldn’t stand the way she was trying not to look at me for a second longer, I said, “Hey, Sweet Thing.”

I mean, fuck, I hadn’t seen her since she’d been falling apart in her bathroom, after I’d been zero-point-five seconds from giving in and kissin’ her like some kind of selfish wanker.

This time, it was Maggie’s smile that was faked.

It was kind of grim and tugging at the side in discomfort.

That attraction that constantly sparked between us washed in something ugly.

Like it was dirty and she was standin’ there thinking it was something wrong or illicit.

It was. Definitely. But not in the way she was thinking.

Apparently, all my flirting with Mel in the past, which was nothing but an act for us both, hadn’t gone unnoticed.

“Hey, Rhys.” Vulnerability filled her voice.

No doubt, I’d overheard somethin’ yesterday that she definitely had not wanted me to hear.

It’d only stoked my worry.

Made me all the more certain she’d been lying to her brother.

“How are you feelin’?”

“Not too bad. A little sore.”

Melanie moved forward. “I heard what happened. That is crazy scary. I’m sorry.”

Maggie trembled a half smile. “Luckily, I wasn’t hurt.”

“Absolutely.”

Could feel Mel glancing between us.

Couldn’t make myself look her way. My attention locked on this girl who was doin’ me in.

“Guess what?” Damn it. I couldn’t help myself.

Maggie’s brow twisted. “What?”

“I’m gonna write a song. Best damn song that’s ever been written. Band plans to put it on the album if it’s good enough.”

Wow.

I was really layin’ it on thick. Trying to impress a girl I really shouldn’t be impressing. What I should have been doing was encouraging her to run for the hills in the opposite direction.

The real fucked up part was I worried I might follow her into them.

“Oh.” A true smile pulled at her mouth, and that charcoal dimmed and danced. Like she was contemplating somethin’. “I don’t doubt that. I have faith in you.”

I suddenly got pushed on the shoulder, nothing but sarcasm rolling from Mel when she tried to steal the attention. “He better. Otherwise he has to ditch the whole bad boy player reputation. Hashtag and all.”

Maggie’s eyes shifted again. Surprise and curiosity before they fell into something painfully sweet. “He doesn’t seem so bad to me.”

Well fuck.

Then Melanie howled. “Have you met him?”

I slammed my hand over my heart. “Well, thanks a lot, Mells Bells. Way to go throwing all this deliciousness under the bus.”

Mel shoved me again. “You wish.”

I laughed and Maggie giggled.

And shit.

I loved the way that sounded.

And I realized I was back to staring at her. Was that a dopey smile I was wearing?

Yup.

Definitely a dopey smile.

Couldn’t help that shit.

Not when that redness streaked across Maggie’s flesh. Something palpable and real.

Ready to burn both of us.

Maggie finally snapped out of the tether holding us hostage. “Oh, let me get out of your way. Just going to pop in and out really quick.” It was her turn for her voice to be about five times too high.

She moved in the direction of the huge butler’s kitchen and pantry off the back of the main kitchen, tossing out the question as she moved