A low laugh escaped me, then I started singing a song that had been playing at the bar. Kiera started laughing, and I stopped singing when I realized what song was in my head. She Hates Me. The unedited version. Probably not what she had in mind. I was practically giggling when Evan stepped out of the bathroom. He eyed me laughing into the phone, then guessing who I was talking to, he leaned over and loudly said, “Sorry, Kiera, we got him pretty drunk.”

She sighed in my ear. “That explains a lot. Was there a special occasion? Or…something else?” Her voice suddenly sounded strange, and my hazy brain couldn’t place the emotion. Worry?

I shook my head. “Just got carried away…sorry.”

Another wistful sound met my ear. “You don’t have to apologize for letting off steam. I just…I just want you to be safe.”

A sleepy smile crossed my lips, and I closed my eyes. “I’m always safe,” I told her. Wrapped in her love where nothing could truly hurt me. And knowing that, feeling that, made the alcohol-induced relaxation inside me shift into something deeper, something even more peaceful. Justin was right; I’d needed this mental reprieve. “Just ask Evan,” I added in a murmur.

Evan laughed on his bed, then said in a clear voice, “Yep, he’s fine, Kiera. We got ‘em.”

Kiera laughed again, then sighed again. “Good. I’m glad he’s looking out for you.”

I made an agreeing sound deep in my throat. A devious thought struck me as I pictured her biting her lip, sprawled out on her comfortable bed. Grinning, I asked her a question in my low, seductive, sexy voice. “What are you wearing right now?”

I was instantly hit by one of Evan’s pillows. “No!” he scolded when I looked over at him. Face stern, he pointed a finger at me. “I am tired, and I am not listening to that again. Say goodbye, Kellan.”

Smiling at him, I brightly said, “Goodbye, Kellan.”

He rolled his eyes at me, letting out a frustrated groan as he laid back down, and I started laughing again. Kiera softly laughed with me, then she said, “You should get some sleep, drunk boy. I love you…so much.”

“I love you too, Kiera. Just…you.” Peeking over at my annoyed bandmate, I added, “And Evan.”

Evan didn’t open his eyes, but he grinned.

Chapter 23

SECRETS

The tension of my many secrets crept back into me as time trudged onward. A part of me wanted to get plastered every night, just so I could let go of my demons for a while, but I knew that wasn’t the right way to handle this. I just had to be patient. Once Lana left, at least one of my torments would be gone. The rest…I’d just have to deal with.