Page 22 of Under the Same Sky

Her expression is marred with confusion, and who could blame her? I’m being cryptic as fuck, but she’s a damn stranger to me, and no way do I want her knowing about my past with the band. “It was high school,” I add quietly. “I was the outcast, and before they were a band, they were football players. You put the pieces together.”

Penelope shakes her head. “Guys are such assholes.”

I chuckle. “Guys, as in plural, or guy, as in Alex?”

Yes, I notice how her gaze lingers on him from time to time. I have eyes, and I know that look all too well. I used to look at Thorin that way when he passed me in the hallway at school, or when I walked past the football field during practice.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she huffs. But when she looks back at me, I see the vulnerability in her blue eyes. “Don’t say anything, he doesn’t know.”

I smirk. “I’m no expert, but I think he does. He’s barely taken his eyes off you since you sat down.”

She groans, and leans her head back, covering her face with her hands. “Honestly, he’s the last person I should have googly-eyes for, Reese. He’s my boss, for crying out loud.”

“Well, he’s not exactly hard on the eyes,” I giggle. Penelope gives me the side-eye through her fingers, and it endears me to her. I think we could be friends, and if she’s the hardass I think she is—she’d have to be to be around four rockstars day in and day out—then Mya will probably love her too. “You’re so not helping,” she mutters.

I throw my head back, and laugh. “Not trying to.”

“Then what are you saying, Reese? Spit it out, I hate riddles.” Oh yeah, we’re so going to be friends.

“Well, has he made a move on you?”

“No,” she replies, righting herself. “But I know he watches me.” Her cheeks flush, and I hide my smile behind my hand.

“Well, grow a pair of lady balls and make the first move if he won’t.”

“And if I’m wrong?”

“And if he feels the same way you do?” I counter.

“Fair point,” she grunts. “But, not happening tonight. I’m off duty.”

I don’t know her very well, but based on this interaction alone, I’d say Penelope is good people, a firecracker no doubt.

I glance over to where Thorin is bickering with Benji and Fletch, and shake my head at how theatrical they are. “I don’t know how you put up with them.”

“It’s probably the highest-paid babysitting gig in the world,” she says emphatically.

I snort, loud enough to garner Thorin’s attention. He gives me a crooked grin, and then meanders over, a beer bottle in hand.

“You want something more to drink?” Penelope asks me. “I need more alcohol.”

“A water’s fine, thanks.”

Thorin takes the seat Penelope vacated, and just about fills the space, forcing me closer to him. He drops his arm around the back of the sofa, and leisurely sips his beer. We’re quiet, nothing but the crackle of the firewood and the sound of laughter filling the cool night air.

“I could get used to this,” he comments. “I forgot how quiet it gets here at night.”

“One of the reasons I love it so much,” I reply.

“Ya know, I didn’t think you’d ever come back to Horseshoe Bay.”

I sigh. “It’s home, always will be. Even if my parents were still here, I’d have still come back.”

Thorin turns to face me. “Have they been in contact with you?”

“No.” I fiddle with the hem of my jacket, play with the zipper. “I don’t even think they know I live here, and even if they did, I don’t think Ryan would have allowed them on the property. He hated them too much.”

“He was always protective of you,” Thorin murmurs. Something in the set of his jaw, and the reflection of the flames flickering in his eyes tells me he’s not pleased. “Like I should have been.”