Page 91 of Hinder
She wraps her arms around me in a tight embrace. “I’m so damn proud of you. You know that, right?”
This moment feels perfect. Sacred. As if all the years we spent apart no longer matter, because we’re here now.
“So, hate to break up the party, but we really need to run through the set.” It’s that sound guy again.
“Sorry,” I mutter at the same time my sister whispers, “Oh, fuck off.”
“Yeah, ladies! Stop stealing the show,” Austin hollers from his place on the stage, his devious grin in place.
Lexi rolls her eyes and grabs my hand. “We’re going, we’re going.” We walk off stage but before I take a seat, she turns to me. “Hey, can we talk?” She glances at the band before adding, “Somewhere private?”
I nod, apprehension building in my gut. I don’t know why, other than her expression is hard to read.
Lexi leads the way out of the studio and we push inside the ladies’ room. She checks each of the stalls and then turns to meet my stare. There’s concern and worry in her eyes.
“Is everything all right?”Does she know I lost my virginity? Is that obvious? God, I’ll die of embarrassment if she lectures me on Leighton.
“It’s fine. I mean, it’s not fine.” Her smile falls and she shakes her head. “Look, I should have told you this last year. But . . . but I didn’t know you then. I didn’t even know whether you were telling the truth. And I had to be sure . . . that you weren’t just looking for a handout.”
“Lexi, I’d never—”
She holds up a hand. “I know that now. Which is why I feel even worse. Look, there’s no nice way to say this. Our father left a large sum of money along with property when he passed.”
“Oh.” I don’t know how to feel, other than disappointment for a man I never had the opportunity to meet.
“And rightfully, that should be split between us.” Her lips pinch together and little lines crease her forehead.
I shake my head, not wanting her to feel guilty. “Oh, you don’t have to . . . He never even knew I existed.”
“But it’s the right thing to do. If he had known, he would have insisted.” She reaches for my hand and squeezes lightly.
My gaze falls to the floor. “You don’t know that.”
“I don’t, but Opal, I can’t live with myself any other way. I don’t need all of it. Hell, I haven’t touched any of it. We both got the short end of the straw when it comes to parents. I want to share this. I’ve already had my lawyers work up a trust, that way you’ll always be taken care of. Because if something ever happened to me, I’d hate myself forever.”
Tears spring at her words. Even the thought of losing Lexi—after I just found her—is enough to force a sob from my lips.
“Opal!” Concern laces her tone and she pulls me into her arms. “Don’t cry. This is supposed to be good news.”
“I’m sorry.” I tuck my chin and try to slow my sobs, but her comfort only brings more tears.
“Don’t apologize, Opal. I should be the one saying sorry. Is everything okay?” She pulls away and meets my stare as if she’s trying to put together the pieces.
“Yes.” I nod, then shake my head. “No.” I swipe at my face with the palms of my hands to clean the tears. Releasing a shaky breath, I try again. “I don’t ever want to lose you.”
“Lose me?”
“I’ve lost everyone I ever loved.” The admission reverberates off the walls.
“Oh, Opal. No.” She levels me with a stare. “You’re stuck with me. Always and forever. I’m not going anywhere. Well, except for tours and all that shit, but you’ll come too. I won’t leave you alone. Ever.”
“How can you say that?”
“It’s a promise. I’m your big sister. I won’t let you down.”
“But I’m worried I’ll let you down. That I already have.” She asked me not to tell anyone we were sisters, yet I told Leighton. I should tell her.
“You haven’t done anything to disappointment me, Opal. You couldn’t.”
