Rocking Kin (Lucy & Harris, #3) - Terri Anne Browning Page 0,79

and gotten a stiff neck for me. He had held my hand—held me—and been there for me when I’d needed him the most. I missed him like crazy and he’d just left me at the door not twenty minutes before.

“I’m okay, Lu. I swear.”

“Want to come over?” she asked, changing the subject. “Mom is making cookies.”

My mouth watered at the thought of one of Layla Thornton’s homemade cookies, but instead of jumping to my feet I reached for the box of music paper beside me on the bed. My fingers traced over the lid as I shook my head. “Nah. I’m not hungry. Maybe tomorrow, though. I think I’m just going to call it an early night.”

“It’s three in the afternoon, Kin.”

I fought back a yawn. “Yeah, but I didn’t sleep well last night. I’m bone tired, Lu.”

“Okay. Well, I’ll let you get some rest, then.” I could hear the love in Lucy’s voice and let it wrap around me like a blanket. “Call me if you need to talk, babe. You know I’m here for you any time.”

“Yeah, Lu. I know.” I turned onto my side, kicked off my shoes and pulled my legs toward my chest. “Night, Lu.”

“Night, Kin.”

Chapter 18

Kin

The next week passed in a blur.

I avoided Jillian like the plague so I wouldn’t be tempted to knock her teeth down her throat. She avoided me just as much, making me wonder what the hell was up with her. From the day I’d moved in she’d been riding my ass, now she kept her distance. Not that I was complaining, I was just curious as to why she would do that all of a sudden.

Lucy’s birthday arrived and I stayed in my room until it was time to go to First Bass for the party. Marcus was picking me up as Lucy had requested, but she had no idea that I wasn’t going to be the only one waiting on her when she got to the club that night. Harris had been working with his stepmother and Emmie Armstrong to pull off a surprise party for Lucy.

I was looking forward to the party and had almost asked Carolina if she wanted to join us. Almost. Over the past week she had become a welcomed ally. She came into my room each evening and we would talk and I was slowly getting to know her. I didn’t consider her a step-bitch any longer, but I didn’t count her as my stepsister either. If I had to give our relationship a name I would call it the beginnings of a semi-friendship. I still didn’t completely trust her so I wasn’t going to go crazy and call her a real friend. Not yet, at least.

As I got ready for the party, excitement had me feeling jittery. I hadn’t seen Jace since he’d dropped me off at Scott’s house the day after Christmas, but we’d talked every night. More than once I’d fallen asleep with him still on the phone. It had been nice and reminded me of how things had been before he’d left Virginia with Tainted Knights. I was dying to see him again.

Marcus arrived right on time and I got to the club just as everyone else was. Lucy’s family all greeted me at once, welcoming me lovingly into their fold as we prepared to surprise Lucy. The Tainted Knights guys were the last to arrive, having been asked to perform for the party.

Jace walked in with his bandmates and my heart did a painful flip in my chest. I couldn’t help but watch him with eyes that told the world I was ready to give in. That I wanted to see what could happen between the two of us if we tried again.

I didn’t want to talk to him about it in front of Lucy’s family though, so I avoided him throughout the night. He kept trying to approach me, but I knew if I got within a foot of him I was going to beg him to kiss me, so I stayed away. A flash of hurt crossed his face when he realized I didn’t want to be around him, but before I could set him straight he walked over to the bar where Gray was drinking a beer.

Grimacing, I promised myself I’d set him right before I went to him later, and turned my full attention on the party.

Lucy had a great time and was barely able to keep her eyes open by the time everyone