Page 25 of Crossroads

“That’s why I let Teagan handle things for me.”

A wink. “And look at that, we agree on something else.”

As she continued to talk about the town and the band, I followed her, letting her soak in the moment. And when she smiled up at me, saying something that I was barely paying attention to, I knew I was in deep trouble.

Chapter 8

KIERA

My phone buzzed, and for the fifth time that morning, I forced myself to turn the thing over and read the screen. Maybe it would be a different person this time. I let out a small breath, my temples throbbing as Brigid’s name appeared on the screen. Again.

Honestly, I was surprised my sister had even paid her phone bill in order to call me at all. But that was neither here nor there. She probably had her drug dealer pay it—or a friend of a friend. Then had used her wiles or something I didn’t want to think about in order for that to happen.

I loved my sister. I truly did. I just couldn’t fathom her choices.

“Are you going to answer that?” a deep voice asked from beside me, and I pressed my lips together, trying not to burst out into tears since that would do nobody any good.

“No.” A pause. “I can’t.”

Bodhi gave me a look, then went back to his notebook, writing something that seemed to take all of his attention.

We were in his barn/workshop, and while I hadn’t gone into the main part where he created art from pieces of wood, the front section of the barn was lovely. A cute little office where I knew he did his paperwork and where once there had been an old, raggedy couch, now held a drum kit.

This man.

Seriously, I did not understand him. But here I was, standing beside my drum kit, my phone buzzing once again near me, and I wanted to play. I wanted to let the music glide through my system, deep down into my bones, and just let the beat go.

Except that I wasn’t sure if it was a smart idea. Mostly because he was trying to work, so annoying him wouldn’t help anyone. And I was already taking so much of his time and space, I wasn’t sure that he had really thought through the concept of having a drum kit.

Yes, it was one of those silent ones that wasn’t really silent. One where I would put my headphones on and go through the motions, but it wasn’t a true kit.

It was still better than using pots and pans, I told myself. He had thought of it, though, and hadn’t said a damn word. I didn’t know what was going on between us, but I knew nothing could. It would be bad for everybody involved because he had more baggage than I did.

That was saying something.

My phone buzzed again, and I once more wanted to hide. The melody that I had been playing with in my mind slid through my fingers, and once again, I didn’t want to play music. It was like I was right back in high school, trying to catch up, trying to breathe. And yet nothing was there. Because all focus was on Brigid. And what Brigid needed.

“Do you want to tell me what this is about?” Bodhi asked as he stood up and leaned against his desk. He folded his arms over his massive chest and frowned at me. That frown was getting far too familiar at this point.

The media loved airing out my dirty laundry. Though they tended to focus on the lives of my bandmates more, I wasn’t unscarred. Yet I didn’t feel the need to shield everything from Bodhi. What did that say about me? Or about him?

“It’s my sister. Brigid. I don’t know what she wants. But it has to be something. Money. Access to people that I know in the industry. Or just to remind me that she doesn’t like me.”

“Was she always like this? Or did it get worse after the drugs?”

I ran my hand over my stomach, ignoring the fact that my phone was now being inundated with texts, rather than calls. I was surprised her fingers could work that well when she was high in order to even text me. “She always wanted to be the center of attention. Hell, it wasn’t like I tried to hide behind the scenes. I was a drummer. Yes, I played the flute because my dad made me, but I also played the drums. It was what I loved doing. I loved being loud and in control. I always had bright hair and funky clothes. So no, I didn’t hide behind the scenes, but I was never like her. Which makes me sound like a bad person.”

He tilted his head, his gaze intense as always. “No, not at all.”

My chest warmed at the idea that he didn’t think I was a bad person, and perhaps I needed to get a grip. I wanted to reach out and touch the scar on the line of his jaw, to just touch him. In addition to that grip, I apparently needed to touch grass too. Come on, Kiera.

“I don’t blend in. I have fun hair and tattoos, and piercings, and now that people know my face a bit more, people recognize me in the world. I’m not shy and demure.” Bodhi’s lips twitched, but I continued, not wanting to react. “But Brigid needs to be at the center. Needs to be more important. And she’s always wanted whatever I have.”

“Does she know where you are?”

I shook my head. “She shouldn’t. I don’t have location settings on my phone, and we’re not on the same plan where she can try to figure out where I am. And even though I have gone to town a few times, I don’t believe the paparazzi has found where I am. At least I hope not.”

“Ashford Creek is being careful. That’s good.”