Page 97 of Hard Rock Love
“It’s Seth’s personal business,” I said. “That’s all you need to know.”
“If whatever this is affects you in any way—” Everly started to say.
“Stop.” Lines of frustration lined Seth’s brow, and he sounded tired. “Abby was helping me with school. Okay?”
“What?” Everly looked confused. “How? You’re not in school.”
“I was taking a class,” he said. “At the same campus as Abby. We ran into each other. I wasn’t doing well and she offered to tutor me.”
Everly’s eyebrows nearly lifted off her forehead.
“On top of everything else, you decided to go back to school?” she asked.
“It was just one class,” he repeated.
“Is there something wrong with your brain?” she continued. “Are you a masochist? Do you like running yourself ragged? Are you a glutton for punishment?”
“I must be,” a cheeky grin slipped across his lips, ”since I decided I’m okay with having you as a sister-in-law.”
I choked. Everly sputtered.
“Sister-in…” Her face went red.
“Just kidding!” Seth said quickly, holding his hands up. “Well. Sort of.” His expression went solemn. “I’m serious about your sister, Everly. This isn’t me doing this to piss you off. I’m not playing games or joking. I care about Abby. I want to be with her. I’d hate to lose your friendship over this but…” Seth’s eyes went soft and loving as he looked to me. “Abby’s worth it. She’s worth everything to me.”
My entire body went warm and tingly, as if a glowing ball of light were emitting from my chest.
Everly’s disgruntled expression faded as she saw the two of us giving each other sappy, dreamy smiles.
“You really care about her?” my sister asked Seth.
“I really do,” he answered without hesitation. “Abby’s an amazing woman. She’s special. I’m lucky she’s willing to put up with someone like me.”
My sister stared at the two of us, lips twisting in contemplation as her fingers tapped rapidly against the side of her hip.
“I guess I can’t be pissed off at you for realizing how special Abby is,” she said eventually. “But—” And at this, Everly gave Seth a pointed stare. “If you ever hurt her…”
“You’ll have my balls, I know.”
“No,” she said, “I’ll tell Cerise you’re slacking off andshe’llhave your balls.”
Seth looked horrified. “You wouldn't.”
Everly let him squirm for a moment.
“No, I wouldn’t,” she said eventually. “I know how hard you work. But this whole school on top of music thing? I don’t know how you’re doing it.”
“With very little sleep,” he quipped. Then his impish smile faded. “It doesn’t matter now, anyway. It was only one class, and I’m done with it.”
“Well, congrats, then,” Everly said.
Seth cocked his head. “For what?”
“I’m sure you aced it since you had Abby’s help, right?”
Seth looked uncomfortable. I wanted to speak up, but I knew it wasn’t my place.
“So what kind of class was it?” Everly asked. “It couldn’t have been some kind of music theory or business class, because Abby wouldn’t have been able to help.”
