The Rock Star’s Fake Fiancee - Kenzie Reed Page 0,104

blood off the floor.”

“Amen to that.”

It’s five p.m. before all the proceedings are done and we finally head back home. I follow Fiona into the guest room, where’s she’s slept several times before. She sets her garbage bag down on the floor by her bed.

“You can put your stuff away in the closet,” I tell her.

She shrugs. “I’ll wait.”

She’s afraid we’ll send her away.

“Whenever you’re ready.” I try for a casual shrug.

Fiona peers at me, staring at my face. “Your left eye is twitching. Is it because there’s a garbage bag sitting on the floor?”

“You know me too well.”

“Fine, I’ll put it away. I can always pack it up again when you get sick of me. Also your pocket is vibrating.”

“I’m already sick of you, Fiona, and yet here you are. We’re not sending you away. If I haven’t given Gramma Mae the heave-ho, I’m definitely not kicking you out. Just chillax and unpack.”

“Chillax is what old people say to sound cool,” she mutters, but she reaches into her garbage bag and pulls out a handful of clothes.

I grab my phone, which I had set on silent during the court proceedings. It’s Sebastian.

“I’m at the Bitter Brew!” he says happily. “We’re in the lounge room, got it all to ourselves. Come join us!”

“Hold on.” I glance at Fiona. “Dinner’s in an hour, wash your hands first.”

She answers me with crossed eyes and a raspberry noise.

“Keep doing that and your face will get stuck that way.”

Yep. I’m turning into my mom.

I leave the room. “We’re not going public yet, remember?” I say to Sebastian as I head down the stairs.

“Well go to the barn and put your disguise on!”

Right. Without Monica’s assistance. That would go well. Also, I barely survived my last excursion into downtown Bitter End as “Penny Amelia Johannsen”—never again.

“How drunk are you?”

“Halfway between mildly intoxicated and slightly smashed.”

“Well slow your roll, cowboy. Terra is lurking around just waiting for you to screw up. Is Magnus okay? He’s being a real pill.”

“I’ll talk to him about it,” Sebastian says. “All right, if you can’t come meet me, can I see you later?”

“Probably not tonight,” I say. “I just got guardianship of Fiona, and we’re getting her settled in. I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow.”

“Good for you! And congratulations, you’ve adopted an adorable baby demon. Tell her I say hi, but make the sign of the cross while you’re doing it, and stand well out of smiting distance. Okay, I’ll talk to you later. Love you, babe.”

A wave of shock and happiness washes over me. “You said the L word.”

“I said it, and I meant it. I’m sorry I’m drunk-ish. I’ll say it again tomorrow, when I’m sober.”

“Love you too,” I say softly. I think my heart just grew two sizes. I end the call and walk quietly to the kitchen to help Mama with dinner.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Callie

I’m just settling into bed when my text alert sounds. I check it, and a stab of alarm shoots through me. It’s from Junebug.

Come to the hotel right now.

Now? Eleven p.m. now? This can’t be good.

I slide out of bed in my pajamas, put my slippers on, and hurry to my mother’s room. I knock once and throw the door open. “Mama? Junebug just texted me to come to the hotel right now. Do you have any idea what’s going on?”

My mother is in bed, reading a Georgette Heyer novel. She sets it down on the night table. “Good Lord. I have no idea. Give me two minutes to get decent.”

When she says two minutes, she actually means two minutes. She joins me in the hall, wearing a house dress and slip-on sneakers.

I yell down the hall to Fiona. “We’re going to the hotel! We’ll be back in a few! I’m turning the alarm on.”

“I’ll try not to set anything on fire while you’re gone,” she calls back. “No promises.”

The moment Mama and I step out of our front door into the damp evening heat, my heart leaps into my throat. Two sheriff’s patrol cars are parked in front of the hotel. We jog across the lawn and make our way into the lobby, which is a scene of controlled chaos. Several of the out-of-town reporters who’ve hung around to cover Heat Lightning are in the lobby, trying to interview hotel staff and a harassed-looking deputy. Junebug sees us and rushes over.

“What happened?” I demand. “Is anyone hurt?”

Monica and Parker are huddled together at the other end of the lobby, looking miserable and