Page 223 of The Sidekick

The loud sound of breaking glass jerks my head around in confusion, my heart leaping in my throat. It’s like someone dropped a twelve pack of beer bottles.

Felix has stopped halfway to us to turn and see what’s going on behind him.

“The fuck?” Blaze shakes his head and joins his twin. “Let’s go. We’ll see him tomorrow.”

I don’t get out of the car until after they’ve pulled away. I slide out, a cold chill going down my spine until my attention is drawn to blue hair as South gets back in her rental at the end of the lot.

She doesn’t acknowledge me as she drives past, casually following them.

“That’s ok,” I mutter as she turns on her blinker and merges with the sparse traffic on the street. “You didn’t break a ban.”

Asher turns the engine off with a scowl.

“We’re good for tonight, angel. Tomorrow you’re staying with Max and Trevor.”

If only it was for a happier reason.

Chapter Sixty

Asher

I wake up feeling relaxed and automatically reach for Tera.

She’s not there. The space is cold.

That gets me out of bed faster than I’ve ever moved.

“Angel?” I can’t help the angry bark as it escapes me.

A startled squeak comes from the living room as I burst in. Her eyes widen at my nudity as I stop to calm my racing heart.

She’s sitting in the middle of empty plastic bags holding a plastic picture frame as if she’s about to use it as a shield. I’m a little disappointed that she put pajamas on.

I’m very relieved that she didn’t run.

“Is everything ok?” She glances around as if she’s going to find someone else here.

“Yeah,” I huff out a weak laugh and rub the back of my neck to relieve the tension there. “Just didn’t know where you were.”

“Sorry,” her nose wrinkles with her wince. “I’m nervous and I can’t sleep. You should go back to bed though. It isn’t even seven yet.”

She’s worried. Shade’s meeting is at seven and she’s stressing about it.

“How about I sit with you and help with what you’re working on.”

I try to see what she’s doing and have to choke back a laugh at the various pictures she’s framing. The stills of the group in various stances of idiocy aren’t what gets me. It’s all the clowns.

“You’re framing them all?” I try to keep my tone calm but it cracks a little.

Her eyes narrow at the sound but she’s quickly distracted by my tattoos. I’ve never been so grateful for them. I never thought I’d be lickable because of them.

“No,” she shakes her head and straightens, determined not to lose focus. “I’m putting some of these in the bottom of drawers so the pranks keep going when they least expect it.”

I bite down on my inner cheek and turn back to the bedroom to pull on some pants. By the time I get back I have to grin as I take in the struggle she’s having with a frame.

“Let me,” I swallow back the humor of it and sit on the floor next to her.

Tera startles and her eyes meet mine. I feel the twinge in my chest that I get every time our eyes meet and her smile comes out of hiding, irritation forgotten at the sight of me. The notion of it humbles me as much as it makes me want to pounce. I’ve never had anyone look at me like she does. Like I’m something vital and cherished. She has no idea how much I’ve started to crave it. Even if I explained it to her the words would pale like wraiths in comparison to the feeling.

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