Page 26 of Finding Emotion

Jami smiled. “That’s because Malcolm is a sugar and butter pusher. Though only because he realized I’ve got a crazy sweet tooth.” She stepped back, waving Skylar in. “Come on, I want you to meet my friends before they take off.”

“No need to toss them to the curb for me.” Skylar stepped into the foyer.

“I know. It’s for me, not you.” Jami led the way deeper into the house. “I haven’t seen you for months, what with your touring. Honestly, I would have never invited them over tonight if I’d known you were coming.”

“I slept more of the day away than I intended.” While Skylar felt a twinge of guilt, true, restful sleep was rare enough for her that she could keep the full brunt of the emotion down.

“No, that wasn’t aimed at you. I’ve always loved how spontaneous you are.” There was no bite to her sister’s continued smile. That was one thing Skylar had always missed. Her sister had none of the cattiness that most women did.

Her eyes slid past Jami to the three other women in the room. Most women never took to Skylar, or only pretended to. She shoved the memory of her time with her band away. Back in the beginning, it had been all women, and she’d fooled herself into believing things were good.

A tall blonde jumped up from the couch. “Hey, chick! You must be Jami’s sister.” The woman strode over to slap Skylar on the arm, and she was even taller when she stood that close.

“Give her some space, Erin,” a brunette said with an eyeroll. “She’s barely walked in the door.”

Jami laughed. “It’s fine, Katie. Skylar doesn’t scare off easily. Here, let me introduce you.” She rattled off their names, and Skylar’s eyes lingered on the delicate-looking woman who hadn’t said anything yet. The name Celia came up often in her conversations with Jami, enough that Skylar had started to become a little jealous. It wasn’t the woman’s fault that Skylar sucked as a sister.

She tilted her head back to meet the tall blonde’s gaze again instead. “Lynch, huh? You must be Mr. Sweetface’s sister.” It was funny. Damon never made Skylar feel so small.

“Is that what you call Dame?” Erin laughed, the sound full and catching enough to make Skylar’s own lips twitch. “I saw all the buzz about you two. Surprised the shit out of me. You’re way cooler than my brother.” She turned and flopped back onto the sofa. “It’s still hard to believe that a dweeb like him is a rock star.”

Picturing Damon with that intent look on his face as she rode him was the worst image ever to have around his sister. “He can be kind of cool,” Skylar admitted as she shoved her hands into the back pockets of her shorts. “But his music is a bit too soft for me.”

“I like yours,” Erin admitted. “It’s awesome when I want a good run.”

Katie frowned at her. “You said you were still easing in there.”

Erin rolled her shoulders. “The doc gave me the all clear. I told you that.”

“Yeah, like a week ago.” The brunette sent her friend a glare. “Does Nicholas know you’re running again?”

“He’s not the boss of me,” Erin fired back.

“No, but you listen to his concern more than mine, despite having known me longer.” This time, Katie pouted.

Erin sighed. “Stop worrying. I haven’t done anything that would jeopardize my healing.”

“Were you sick or something?” Skylar asked. She hated being talked around.

“Oh, just a shoulder injury.” Erin waved the topic away. “Sorry, I just meant to say I love your music.”

Skylar shifted where she stood, wondering if the woman thought compliments would work on her. “It’s always good to have fans.”

“Why don’t you have a seat?” Jami suggested. “Can I get you anything to drink?”

Skylar glanced at the beer cans that were open on the table and shook her head. “No alcohol for me.” She perched on the sofa next to Damon’s sister.

“Oh, no, I know that.” Jami bit her lip. “I meant water or something.”

“I’m all good,” Skylar repeated. “Just chill already, Jame.”

“You don’t drink alcohol?” Katie asked.

Skylar shrugged, letting her hands dangle between her legs. “Yeah, well, rehab does that kind of shit.”

The brunette flushed. “Oh, sorry.”

“No worries. I was pretty fucking public about it.” It had been a perfect excuse for why she’d left the band. “Luckily for me, it stuck.” No way in hell would she allow herself to be that out of control again.

---