Page 29 of Rescue

“It’s fine,” I say, feeling exhausted before the lecture even starts. I nod at her, and she sighs a little, standing.

“You be nice,” she mutters to Reed as she passes, hand on her belly. Pregnancy seems to be making Daisy a bit more defensive than normal. Or maybe she’s just more worried about me than she lets on.

“I’m sorry I snapped at Paige,” I say the moment they’ve gone, hoping to head off the reaming that I’m sure is coming my way. But Reed waves my apology away.

“I’m not worried about that right now.”

That would be a first. My brother is usually fiercely protective of Paige. But his eyes remain narrowed as he searches my face. “I want to talk to you about Haylee.”

“Jesus.” I rub my hands roughly across my face. “Not you too.”

But from the look on his face I’m fairly certain that Reed’s intention is not to help me get the girl. He clears his throat. “Do you really think you’re ready for something like that?”

“Something like what?” I don’t bother to keep the edge out of my voice.

His gaze is steady, and I’m suddenly struck by how much he looks like Dad. “A relationship, Lennon.”

“There’s no relationship, Reed,” I snap back. “That was just Levi giving me a hard time and Paige getting carried away.”

He doesn’t say anything for a moment, just watches my face. “I saw you with her on the plane.”

“We sat together.” My temper is rising. “We talked.”

“Lennon—”

“And it’s none of your goddamn business, Reed.” I’ve had enough of the condescension in his voice, enough of the judgment. He really does think I’m some stupid kid who needs looking after.

“It is my business. I’m worried—”

I stand up so fast I knock my chair over. “Do you have any idea how fucking tired I am of hearing you say that?”

He stands too, eyes blazing. “We all agreed that if we came on this tour we were going to be open with each other.”

“I didn’t agree to you babysitting me for six weeks, Reed. You have no right to tell me what to do.” Heads are swiveling in our direction at our raised voices, but I couldn’t care less.

“Lennon, I’m just trying to help you—”

“If I need your help, I’ll ask for it,” I say, pushing past him. I need to get away from my oldest brother, and fast. It’s been a long time since any of us got into a punching match, and I doubt the hotel restaurant is a good place to renew the pastime.

He grabs my arm as I pass. “Please just talk to me.” Something in his voice has me staring up into his eyes. He looks the same way he’s looked for a while now. Scared. The familiar mix of guilt and annoyance bubbles in my chest.

“You know what, sometimes I wish I could,” I say. “But I find it difficult to talk to someone who so clearly has lost all respect for me.”

“Lennon!”

I ignore his cry, pulling my arm away and striding from the table, willing him not to follow.I really will punch him, I think, ignoring the stares of the other diners as I go. I push through the glass front doors out into the misty afternoon, taking deep breaths of the cool air. And walk straight into Haylee and James, who appear to be sharing a cigarette under the overhang.

“Shit,” I mutter, reaching out to grasp James’s shoulders after nearly knocking him over. “Sorry, man. Wasn’t watching where I was going.”

“It’s okay.” He shoots a glance at Haylee, tossing his cigarette to the ground and stepping on it. “Ready to head up?”

But she’s watching my face, her eyes concerned. “You go on,” she says, her eyes never leaving mine. “I’ll be up in a minute.”

James doesn’t move. “You sure?” he finally asks, his voice heavy. It occurs to me that my older brother might not be the only person who doesn’t want me hanging out with Haylee. The thought has my heart pounding in anger all over again.

“I’m fine, James,” she says, her voice sharp. “I’ll see you in a little while.”

He stands next to her for a minute, and I try to ignore the way he’s looking from her to me. Finally he sighs. “I’ll be in my room.”