Where Lightning Strikes (Bleeding Stars #3)(46)

“That’s because chicks kick ass, right, Tamar?” Shea piped in, grinning in Tamar’s direction.

When I looked down at Tamar, my chest prodded somewhere deep, this sort of f*cked-up pride that didn’t belong. But I liked that she was enjoying herself, that she felt comfortable and safe while being in my space. The mood was light and easy, and Ash’s old house only added to the relaxed atmosphere.

But maybe that was just the issue I had, always watching for Blue underneath all the Red. Worried something would trigger her and she’d go spiraling down to that desolate place where I couldn’t stand for her to be.

Didn’t know why I had this crazy visceral reaction to protect her from going to that place. Like somehow it’d become my responsibility. My duty.

Right now, though, she was all Red, and she glanced at me quickly and cracked one of those smirks that damned near drove me out of my mind, before she turned back to Ash.

“I’m sure you have this all twisted around, Ash,” she teased with a cock of her head. “She was probably protecting herself from the likes of you. I have seen you in action, you know.”

Ash slammed his hand over his heart. “Oh, Tam Tam. Do you really have that little faith in me?”

Tonight we were actually supposed to be practicing, and surprise, surprise, it’d turned into the Ash Evans Show.

Sebastian and Shea had gotten back from their two-week honeymoon a couple days ago. Considering we only had six weeks until we had to head back to L.A. to finish up the tracks, we decided we’d better keep ourselves up to par before we let the easy, slacker life take us over.

We weren’t getting a whole lot done.

I knew Shea would be coming along since the song she and Sebastian had written would be showcased on the next album. That and the fact he pretty much wouldn’t let her out of his sight.

Honestly, there had been no hesitation on my part when Sebastian had suggested we consider the song for the album. Shea had a voice unlike any I’d ever heard. It’d be the last track. One to round out our expected thrashing songs, this one soft and sweet and slow, just like Sebastian’s girl.

Tamar had been in tow.

Should I have been pissed? Resistant to her unconsciously weaving her way into my tight-knit group?

Maybe.

But the truth of it was, I wanted her there.

And I just sat here and pretended it didn’t mean anything.

From where he was sitting on the couch across from me with Shea curled up on his lap, Sebastian lifted his chin, and I turned to catch him watching me watching Tamar. His eyes narrowed in question. In curiosity.

I gave him a short, quick shake of my head.

Don’t even.

Not a chance in hell was I about to let him go there. Not any more than I was going to let Ash or Zee, for that matter. Yeah, so what if this was the first time any of them had seen me with a girl. In f*cking years. Not since when I didn’t want to remember.

And I wasn’t talking about the ones that came and went faster than I could catch their names.

I was talking about one being at my side while I stood at hers.

But six weeks from now? This would all be over. In the end, would she be just another nameless, faceless body?

A swelling of emotion locked up my throat.

No.

This girl.

This girl was unforgettable.

“So anyway, before I was so rudely interrupted,” Ash tossed out at Tamar, his blue eyes glaring wide, “this crazy bitch was suddenly on the dirty, grimy floor. I don’t know if she tripped or launched herself at me, or what, but there she was, wrapped around my leg while I’m trying to shake her off like a bad dream. I f*cking panicked. Like panicked. Started hauling her ass across the floor while she’s hanging on.”

He shook his leg to demonstrate.

“Then she turns tactic and starts pleading with me that she’d seen a psychic and I’m her soul mate and I just don’t know it yet, but we were gonna have three boys named Kurt, Kaleb, and Kyle, and we were going to live on a farm in Missouri. At that point, I literally had to pry this girl’s fingers from my legs because I’d had enough psycho for the night.”

Somehow he both shivered and grinned. “I mean, I know I’m irresistible and all, but come on, a farm in Missouri? And three boys? Pssh. This girl obviously didn’t know me at all. She had to be lyin’.”

I busted out laughing. “You think she was lying, huh? What clued you in? And since when are you so selective?”

“Since this one could probably break me in half.”

Ash took a swig of his beer, forehead bent up like he was deep in thought. “In all honesty, I totally get it and I don’t blame the girl.” He stretched his arms out wide, smiling like the cocky bastard he was. “Girls can’t resist grabbing on and going for a ride.”

“Seriously, Ash!” Tamar shook her head, stirring me up with the throaty lilt of her laugh. “Did you ever hear of this little thing called humility?”

He frowned. “What’s that? It sounds like a terrible disease. I pray I don’t catch it.”

“You’re such an *,” she teased with a smile as she took another sip. That mouth wrapped around the lip of the bottle, and I squirmed in my seat.

Damn.

With her arms draped around Baz’s neck, Shea grinned at him. “Come on, Ash, don’t act like we can’t see your hand. Your poker face isn’t all that great and Tamar and I are totally onto your game. Look at this big old house begging to be filled up with a bunch of babies. Before you know it, you’re going to have a herd of baby Ashes running up and down the stairs.”