Page 78 of Rebel

I kiss his tears away. “Keep telling yourself that every day until you believe it, and when you’re on that stage, know they are with you. I’m with you. I’m sorry you had to go through that, Trav, and I’m glad you’re alive and that you made it here.”

“You are?” he asks, looking deep into my eyes.

“I am.” That’s the truth.

I’ll still destroy them if they hurt my sister, but I can’t hate Trav.

I just can’t.

Now that hurting Trav is out today, I focus on Chase instead, but when he comes down, all smiles, and pours me tea, lifting me onto his lap, I’m reluctant.

“What do you feel like doing today, beautiful?”

I’m used to Chase being mean, cocky, and even a bastard, but this puppy-dog Chase?

It’s throwing me off. They are all staring at me, so I clear my throat, hop off his lap, and down the scalding hot drink. “I need a shower. You guys decide.” I flee like a pussy, feeling their eyes on me the entire way.

Back in my room, I collapse on my bed just as my phone rings. I pick it up, knowing who it is. I keep my voice quiet, not wanting them to overhear. “We were wrong,” I mutter.

Ben sighs. “Shit, I thought we had something.”

“Me too,” I mumble, eyeing the door, not wanting to do this right now.

“I’ll keep digging. I’m meeting someone today who was on the team before they were fired. Apparently, they have some information. I will let you know. In the meantime, you need to dig, Beck. We need something before someone realizes what we’re doing.”

“I know,” I mutter, my eyes still on the door where I can hear their voices echoing down the hall. My heart skips a beat, but I ignore it.

“You’re not having second thoughts, are you?” Ben asks darkly.

“No. My sister was my entire world. No matter what, I will get the truth, even if I have to lose myself in the process.” I hang up.

Why is this so much harder than I thought it would be?

Every step I take toward the truth feels like a step I take further away from myself and from her.

I dyed my hair.

I tattooed my entire body.

I changed my name.

I lost every aspect of myself, but I never expected to lose my heart.

So why am I?

THIRTY-SIX

Something is wrong with Beck. I saw panic in her eyes.

I don’t know what caused her to feel that, but I want to make it better. I’m finding I will do anything to keep her smiling and happy. After discussing it with the others, I head upstairs and knock on her door. It takes her a moment to answer, and when she does, I forget what I came to ask.

Her hair is wet, and she’s in nothing but a towel. She looks younger without makeup, even as her lips turn down. “Is everything okay?” she asks.

Blushing, I clear my throat. “Yes, sorry, I was hoping we could go somewhere. With the tour starting in two weeks, we haven’t gotten much downtime. We need to practice for sure, but having fun is important.” I realize I’m rambling, and her smile is growing. “What I’m trying to say is, let’s go on a date.”

“Sure.” She laughs. “Let me put on some pants.”

“Don’t feel the need to on my behalf,” I retort, and she bursts into laughter.

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