caught some clips of the show and she was awesome in it, but the pressure she was under was unreal. I only watched clips, though. No way in hell could I watch my big sister in a simulated rape scene.
Fuck no.
Jane and I barely saw Skye these days, and when we did, she was completely withdrawn. I was concerned about her relapsing, but there wasn’t a lot I could do when Skye kept telling me she was fine and there was no evidence of drug or alcohol abuse in the house.
Still, I didn’t need Lorna giving Skye crap for apparently no reason.
Yet I didn’t want to start anything with my little sis since she and I were in a good place.
I was sitting at the counter eating a bowl of cereal when my girl and Lorna strolled back into the house. Lorna smiled brightly when she saw me.
“Jane says you’ve been writing this morning.”
My eyes flicked to Jane, who wore a pensive expression. “That I have.”
“Well, fingers crossed it’s a huge best seller so I don’t end up looking after you in your old age,” Lorna teased and pressed a quick kiss to my temple before she breezed past. “I’m heading out. I promised my old track mates I’d meet them for lunch on Rodeo Drive. I’ll be back tonight in time for Santa!”
The door slammed shut behind her, and I raised an eyebrow at Jane. “Is it just me or does she seem in a good mood?”
Jane shrugged, grabbed a spoon out of the drawer, and leaned over the counter to spoon a bunch of Cheerios from the mountain I was depleting. She chewed, pretty eyes on me, crunching the Cheerios loudly.
I grinned at her.
She swallowed. “What?”
“You’re cute.”
She wrinkled her nose, but the dimple in her left cheek creased. I wanted to kiss it. I had the urge to kiss it every time she smiled. “Where’s Skye?”
“I don’t know.” I jerked my chin to the patio door. “What were you and Lor talking about?”
Jane leaned her chin in her palm, knocking my spoon out of the way with hers as she reached for more cereal.
“You could get your own,” I teased.
“Why?” She grinned and took another bite. Her words were muffled as she ate, but I think she said, “Yours are delicious.”
“Are you avoiding my question?”
“No. You keep distracting me from the question.” She rounded the counter and hopped onto the stool next to mine.
Reaching for her, I ate with one hand while I rested my other hand on her leg, my fingers caressing the silky skin of her inner thigh. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing. It was … it was awkward and weird.” Melancholy darkened her face. I didn’t like it. “For years, Lorna was my best friend, my confidante … and now it’s almost like those years didn’t happen. Or they were part of some other life.”
I pushed away the bowl and grabbed her by the back of the knees until she was up and on my lap. She gave a bark of laughter and took hold of my shoulders before shimmying comfortably into place. Her legs dangled over the side of the stool as she ran her fingers through my hair.
Unable to help myself, I kissed her. Soft, sweet, not trying to take it anywhere. Just a comforting kiss. I stared into her eyes when I pulled back. “She’s talking to you, though. Isn’t that a step forward?”
“I guess.” Jane’s brow furrowed. “And she told me she wants to be friends again, that time away has given her perspective, and she can see how close you and I are. She can see that you love me, and she’s over it.” She smiled and I couldn’t help but kiss her again.
“I sense a but,” I murmured against her lips.
“Well, don’t you think it’s odd how mad she is at Skye? I asked her about it, and she said she didn’t really want to talk about it, only that it hurt her that Skye took our side in the whole thing.”
“Fuck,” I muttered. That didn’t sound like someone who was “over it.” “Skye didn’t take sides. And she doesn’t need that shit right now. I’ll talk to Lorna.”
“I can see that idea brings you much joy.”
“I was kind of enjoying her being nice to me, but I’ll sacrifice it if I have to.”
“You’re such a good brother.” Jane kissed me. “And such a good boyfriend.” Her voice was huskier, her kiss deeper.