Rockstar Lost - Taryn Quinn Page 0,11
I’d decided to finally get the balls to do more than dream about my future. “Just another second.”
Tina rubbed my back. “Oh, honey. We’ll always be here. We’re so proud of you for making a plan to get out of here finally.”
I sniffed against her shoulder, my eyes suddenly overflowing. “I’m going to miss you guys so much.”
“Hell, I’m going to miss you even more,” Jon said from behind me.
I laughed and finally let Tina go. “You’re going to miss my accounting.”
“That too.” He hauled me forward and slung his arm around my neck. “But did you honestly think we would let you go off on a grand adventure without a going-away party?”
“I told you not to make a fuss.”
“You’re worth the fuss.”
My eyes misted again as I noticed the table set up with my favorites from the kitchen. I followed my nose to the huge vat of chili and baskets of sourdough bread waiting to sop up all that gloriousness.
I couldn’t wait.
And as much as I hated a fuss made for me in any way, I couldn’t resist the lure of the extended family who had created a home for me here. When my mom had relocated to Boca—sweet God, why?—these people had become my everything.
Even beyond Myles, they had been my rock, my heart, and my sounding board. Going out on my own was going to be so damn scary. Knowing I could come home whenever I wanted made it a little easier.
The next few hours were a whirlwind. Nearly all of the The Alley staff filtered in as the night wore on. By the time the last of the beer and shots had been poured into me, Jon had to drive me home.
Saying goodbye was far harder than I thought it would be, but that only meant I’d have to come home more often. These people were more my family than the one I was actually related to.
A fact that pissed me off as I staggered up the steps and tried unsuccessfully to keep quiet as I sneaked into my very dark, very silent house.
I was doing so well…until I stepped on the cat.
The yowl followed by nails of outrage had me yelping out even as I attempted to cuddle Boo close. “I’m sorry. Oh, man, did I hurt you?”
Needle-like nails dug through the two layers I was wearing as he arched and hissed before jumping down.
“What in the fuck is going on?”
I winced at the sudden light and threw my arm over my eyes. “Robin. Come on!”
“Are you serious right now?” She came closer to me, her hair up in its usual braids for sleeping. She peered closer. “Are you drunk?”
I blew raspberries. Pretty mean feat, since I couldn’t feel my lips. “Of course not.”
“God, you so are.” She gathered the affronted Boo off the arm of the chair and cuddled him close. I tried to reach out to stroke his gray fur, but my sister turned away with him in her arms. “If you puke, you’re cleaning it up.”
“I’m not going to puke.” I was pretty sure.
“First, you tell me you’re quitting a very fine job—actually, scratch that, two jobs— to go cross country to find yourself, and now you’re drunk? I don’t know what’s gotten into you.”
I winced. “I have my own business now, Ro.”
“You have no benefits, and you work with a dozen businesses that could close any day now. That’s not a viable business model.” She shook her head before disappearing into the kitchen and turning on the tap. She came back into the room with a large glass of water and a bottle of Tylenol. “Drink and take.”
Before I could thank her, she took the cat and herself down the hall.
Great.
Just what I needed. My sister even more pissed off at me. And my business was sustainable, dammit. I’d built my clientele from a half a dozen to well over a dozen now. Actually, moving into two dozen, if you counted the four seasonal clients I took on over the summers.
I slumped onto the couch—my bed until I left. And because I was the ever-dutiful sister, I took the pills and drank the water. I kicked off my shoes and curled onto my side, flipping the ancient blanket off the back of the couch to wrap around me. The familiar scent of vanilla and lavender pushed away the mad.
I couldn’t fault my sister. I’d been just like her two years ago. The mere thought of owning my own company had been