Because of Low (Sea Breeze #2)(9)

As I pulled into the parking lot at Sea Breeze High School, I spotted Amanda sitting on a picnic table outside the cafeteria entrance with Sadie White right beside her. Sadie’s arm was wrapped around Amanda’s shoulders as she cried. I wondered how much my sister had shared with Sadie. I hadn’t seen or spoken to Sadie in over two months. I missed being around her but it was just easier if I kept my distance. Sadie had been the one that got away for me. She’d been snatched out of my reach by a freaking rock star as crazy as that sounds. Jax Stone, the hottest teen rock star in the world had been both mine and Sadie’s employer last summer. We’d worked as staff in his summer home located on the private island connected to Sea Breeze. One look at Sadie and he’d been hooked. Unfortunately for me she returned the feelings.

I parked my truck and headed over to get my sister. Sadie’s concerned gaze met mine as I approached. I could tell by the look in her eyes she knew.

“Hey Sadie, thanks for being here for her,” I said as I walked up and reached out a hand to my little sister. She threw herself at me and began weeping harder. I wanted to kill my dad with my own bare hands as her sobs shook her body. Damn him.

“She told me Marcus,” Sadie said quietly, “I’m sorry.”

I nodded, “Yeah, me too. He’s an ass. A selfish bastard.”

Sadie didn’t even flinch. She understood being furious with a parent. She’d had her hands full with her mother until Jax Stone fell in love with her and proceeded to fix all her problems. Sadie’s spoiled selfish mother, Jessica had been one of the things he fixed.

“I just want to get away from it all. Can I come back to your place?” Amanda asked through her hiccups.

“Of course. Sadie, let the office know I have her would ya.”

She nodded and stood up, “Of course and Marcus if there is anything I can do please don’t hesitate to call me.”

“Thanks Sadie”

I pulled my sister up tightly against my side and headed back to my truck. First I’d deal with getting her calmed down then I was going to have a talk with my dad.





Chapter Four





Willow



My sister wasn’t going to let me stay the night. I slipped my hand into the pocket of my jeans and squeezed the key Cage had given me. As much as I feared wearing out my welcome I needed somewhere to stay. Besides I’d left my suitcase in Cage’s bedroom this morning. To pay him back for yet another night this week I’d do our laundry this evening. Feeling somewhat better about being a freaking charity case I headed for the stairs.

“Low, hey gorgeous it’s been too long,” Preston flashed me his pretty boy smile and tucked a strand of white blond hair behind his ear. The boy knew his affect on females but apparently he hadn’t picked up on his lack of affect on me.

“Hello Preston and yes it has. I’m surprised you’re not around more now that your friend is living here.”

A small frown puckered Preston’s forehead. He glanced back up the steps at the door to the apartment then turned back to me.

“Uh, yeah well about Marcus. He’s having a bad day. His sister is up there and she’s really upset over some family stuff they’ve got going on. Why don’t you and I go grab something to eat and head over to hear Jackdown play over at Live Bay tonight that is if you’re not working tonight. I haven’t seen Dewayne and Rock in awhile. I’m sure Dewayne would love to see you.”

Going to listen to Jackdown wasn’t what I needed to do tonight. I had a fair amount of homework and tomorrow I would be working a double shift at the restaurant side of Live Bay. However, I also didn’t want to intrude on a family problem. I knew enough about those kind of problems to know Marcus needed some privacy.

“Um, okay, sounds good. Uh,” I glanced back toward the stairs, “Do you think maybe I could run in and change real quick. I’ll just go straight to Cage’s room and come right back out.”

“Oh yeah that’s fine. I just meant they needed some time alone. They’re probably in Marcus’ bedroom anyway and I doubt they even hear you come in. Come on I’ll go with you and grab a drink while you change.”

I slipped my hand into my pocket and pulled out my key feeling the strange warmth inside me at the sight of it. It was odd how something so small made me feel secure.





We stepped inside and I left Preston in the kitchen as I stepped into Cage’s room. I could hear talking coming from Marcus’s closed bedroom door as I’d passed by it. Maybe I could get out of here before they realized I’d come in. Marcus seemed okay with my being here a lot. I didn’t want that to change.

I slipped into a short jean skirt and put on an emerald green halter top and then pulled on the black leather jacket Cage had given me for Christmas two years ago. My cowboy boots sat in his closet lined up beside his and I laughed at this small hint from Cage. He wanted me here. That much was obvious. The boy had no clue how impossible he made things.

Stepping out of the bedroom I noticed Preston and Marcus whispering in the living room. I halted not wanting to intrude when Marcus eyes met mine. Slowly his green eyes traveled down my body and back up causing my pulse to race. I stood frozen in my spot until his eyes found mine again.

“Damn girl let’s get your sexy ass out of here before Cage shows up. He’ll have me hung up by my balls and you changing clothes while he stands guard at the door.” Preston’s words were meant to break the silence but it only made Marcus’s eyes flare up.