Rocked (The Everyday Heroes World) - Julia Wolf Page 0,81
lips. “Are you going to be done writing your new songs soon?”
“Ah, way to put me on the spot.” I slapped my chest. “I’m still working on it. I’ve got a few that are done, but not enough for a full album.”
“Is it hard to write a song?”
“It used to be easier, when it didn’t feel like work. When a few people would hear it and that would be the end of it. I used to write what I wanted and didn’t worry if millions of people would love it.”
Ellie perked up, her back straightening. “We should write a song. That would be awesome.”
I chuckled. “Me and you?”
“Yeah. Just for fun.”
I scratched my neck, not coming up with any reason why we shouldn’t. “All right, little sister. You’ve got a deal. Not tonight, though. You’ve gotta go have dinner.”
Right after I said that, Kat called her name as she peeked over the fence between our yards. “Ells, dinner!”
Ellie got up, holding her guitar by the neck. “Can Devon come over? He told me he’s super lonely.”
A laugh sputtered out of me. “You little shit.” Popping out of my seat, I walked over to the fence. “I didn’t tell her that.”
Kat’s lips curved into a smirk. “I know that daughter of mine. She’s conniving.”
Running my hand over my head, I took a long look at her, and fuck if my heart didn’t pang. I missed her already. Two days was all it took to do me in.
“She’s rocking her guitar. I’m really proud of her.”
Her smile widened. “Me too. Thank you for helping her. I mean it.”
There was a pause between us as Ellie let herself and Leroy out through the gate and into her own yard, rushing into the house. Kat watched them over her shoulder, then turned back to me.
“You okay?” I asked.
“I am. I’m sorry you had to see me freak out like that. That was a crap ending to a really nice trip.”
I gripped the top of the wooden fence, pulling myself close to her. “The trip wasn’t so nice. But if that was the end of you and me, whatever we are…then I’m the one who’s sorry. That’s not what I want, Kat.”
Her eyelids fluttered closed for a moment before they focused on me again. “Nothing’s changed. I’m still lost when it comes to you. I have to keep my head straight, Dev. I truly am sorry.”
With that, she turned, walking back into her house, her little life and family, shutting me out completely. I took a seat on my patio again, guitar on my lap, just me, the twinkling stars above me, and a snake or two somewhere in the grass. Maybe Ellie hadn’t been lying after all. When I thought about it, I couldn’t remember a time I’d ever been lonelier.
Twenty-Five
Kat
When I pulled up to Veego’s house, he was outside tending to his garden, as usual, but he wasn’t alone. His ex, Casey, was on the porch with Ellie, laughing over something. All three turned my way when I closed my truck door and walked up the driveway.
“Hey!” I waved to Veego and kissed the top of Ellie’s head. “Ready to go?”
“Hey, Mom. I’ll be right back. I need to get my stuff.” Ellie ran inside the house, and I leaned over to give Casey a hug.
“Fancy seeing you here,” I said.
Her smile was cautious. “It’s really good to see you. I hope it’s okay I’m here when Ellie’s here. I wasn’t sure.”
Veego clamped a hand on her shoulder. “It’s fine, Case. Ells was thrilled to see you.”
I pointed a finger between them. “Are you back?”
Veego grinned wider than I’d seen in a long time. “Oh yeah. I dug my head out of my ass and fought for my girl.”
Casey leaned her head against him. “Breaking up was the wrong decision. I think we realized that pretty quickly, but we were both too stubborn to admit it.”
“So, we stewed in our misery,” Veego added.
I crossed my arms, laughing. “I got to witness that misery firsthand.”
Veego and I still hadn’t spoken about the way he’d talked to me when my flight was delayed, but now wasn’t the time. I was still riddled with guilt over the entire thing, but I was also pissed as hell he couldn’t cut me even an inch of slack when I’d given him miles of it in the past.
He ruffled my hair until I swatted his hand away. “The dog days are over, Kitty Kat,” he said.