Her fingers dug into my side. “He ate some bad meat last night.” Her voice was different than it ever was before, slightly raspy and high-pitched.
“Oh. That’s a shame.” I really didn’t give a shit.
“Wait.” She sighed then sat up. Judging by the torn look on her face, I knew something was on her mind. “That was a lie. I’m sorry.”
I waited for her to speak.
“Since I requested that rule, I have to abide by it too.” She propped herself on her elbow then rested her hand on my stomach. I flexed automatically.
“It’s okay,” I said gently. I was eager to hear the true version.
“The reason Gavin didn’t play last night was because we had a fight.” I didn’t like where this story was going. If she knew about the explosive jealousy inside me, she’d run. And run fast. “He said it was too hard to play the songs we wrote because…he’s in love with me. He walked home and we haven’t spoken since.”
I knew that piece of shit was into her, but he’s in love with her? That just pissed me off even more. Who the hell did he think he was proclaiming his love for my girl? Well…the girl I was seeing. Prudence was mine and I wasn’t going to share her with anyone. “I’m sorry. I know that must have been difficult.”
“We’ll get through it.” She sighed deeply. “We always do.”
“Do you think he’ll drop it?” He better if he wanted to keep his head.
“I need to clear the air with him. Hopefully, we’ll work on it from there.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t live with him.” Damn, did I just say that? I wanted to smack myself in the forehead. That was a really stupid and possessive move.
She shrugged. “We’ll be fine.”
I’d gladly pay for her to get her own apartment, one with twenty locks. But I couldn’t offer that. Not when we weren’t serious. She’d think I was a psychopath…which I was…now that I thought about it. “Why did you lie?”
“I thought you’d be mad. I know you two don’t get along.”
And for good reason. “You can tell me anything, Prudence. We’re friends as well as lovers.”
The mention of lovers made her flinch slightly. I was disappointed by the body language. I really wanted to feel her clench around my cock when I made her come. But I’d be patient with her—only her—because I liked her so damn much. I placed my hand on her shoulder and pulled her back to me. When she was snuggled against my chest, my anxiety diminished. But my hatred for Gavin still burned. It would always burn.
I placed my foot on the floor and rocked us gently. The sea breeze glided past us, bathing us in fresh air. It suddenly became very quiet while I held her. I never cuddled like this. Not even when I was trying to score. But it wasn’t that bad. I liked it.
“I want to know more about you.” The words flew from my mouth.
“What would you like to know?”
“Anything.”
“I have a brother. His name is Jeremy.”
“What’s he like?”
“Warm, affectionate, and selfless. He’s my hero. My best friend.” Her strong fondness for her brother surprised me. But I guess I felt the same way for my sister. She looked up to me, admired me.
“Is he older than you?”
She nodded. “He raised me.”
“I thought you had a dad?”
“Technically. But he didn’t come into my life until I was an adult. The first time I met him, I was eighteen.”
The light sadness in her voice shattered my heart. “Why?”
“It’s another long story.”
“Please tell me.” What the hell was wrong with me? Did I just say that?
“You really want to know?” The surprise was evident in her voice. “My baggage shouldn’t weigh you down.”
“It won’t. I really want to know.” No, I needed to know. Now.
“My dad was a horrible father to Jeremy. After Jeremy was born, he was overwhelmed with the feedings, changings, and lack of sleep. He didn’t even marry my mom after he knocked her up. But after I was born, it was too much. He took off.”
I felt the anger rise inside me. I never wanted to have kids, but if I accidently knocked someone up, I’d step up. I wouldn’t abandon my kid like that. And the fact he did it to her just pissed me off. This beautiful creature didn’t deserve that.
“My mom found out he remarried and lived in Liverpool. Even though she knew where he was, she never bothered him, asked him for child support—nothing. She said she could do it on her own. And that’s what she did.”
“She sounds admirable.”
Prudence shrugged. “I guess she did her best.”
I knew there was more.
“My mom was diagnosed with clinical depression. After my dad left, she never got back on her feet. She was always in the house, but she wasn’t really around. So my brother was the parent I never had. I just wish he had someone too.”
“He has you.”
She shook her head. “He spent so much time taking care of me. He never took care of himself.” She took a breath then released it. “Any road, this is getting too heavy. Basically, my brother is my closest friend. There’s nothing I can’t tell him, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him.”
I processed her story. Then I ran my fingers through her hair, giving her a quiet comfort. “Why did your dad pay for your education?”
“Oh. That’s another story.” She rolled her eyes. “After his wife died, he had no one. He had no family and no kids. That’s when he came back, saying he was ready to make up for the time lost. Of course, my brother and I were over it. But he offered to pay for our tuition. Neither one of us could say no.”
“Where did you attend?”
“Cambridge.”
Shit. This girl was smart—really smart. “Your brother?”
“The same. He’s a year older than me. My dad has tried to involve himself in our lives, but we both made it clear we just wanted the money. We never lied about that. He still sticks his nose in our business, telling my brother what he should do with his life, and telling me my musical talents are amateur.”
“They aren’t amateur,” I said firmly. “Not in the least. You are one of the most talented musicians I’ve ever heard.”