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Gideon finishes the last two dishes before turning to face me, his green eyes piercing as they tangle with mine. His gaze pins me to my chair, holding me captive. "Lie to yourself if it makes you feel better, Sparrow. But we both know you felt the same thing I did today."
"W-what did you feel?" I ask, forcing sound out through the lump in my throat.
"Like you were meant to be in my arms."
"How's it going?" Kane asks an hour later.
"It's fine." I clutch the phone to my ear, pulling open my antique dresser with the other hand.
"Well, that was convincing."
I roll my eyes when he chuckles. "Gideon is fine, Kane. He's just like you. Freaking annoying."
My irritating brother laughs again. "I knew I liked him."
"Of course you do. Is it really necessary for him to live with me?"
"Yes."
"This is overkill."
"It's not overkill when it's your safety."
"He doesn't like John."
"Now, I really like him," Kane says, satisfaction in his voice.
I roll my eyes again, gathering my pajamas to go shower. I need to wash this day off me. Maybe then I'll be able to settle and sleep. Or not. Considering that Gideon will be camping out in my living room, I have a feeling sleep will be elusive tonight.
"Why are you calling me anyway?" I ask my brother.
"Just checking in."
"You mean being nosy," I correct.
"Tomato, tomato."
I smile despite myself when he pronounces it the same way both times. He's not very subtle and doesn't pretend to be. I love that about him. Despite the fact that we're fifteen years apart, we've always been close. He's an amazing brother, even when he's annoying me. He's always looked out for me.
"Are you and Maya coming to my show tomorrow?"
"Wouldn't miss it, brat," he says.
I exhale a tiny breath, relieved he'll be there. It always makes me feel better when he's there. I don't get nervous playing for crowds anymore. But ever since I got that poem, I've been anxious about it. I look out into crowds now and see hundreds of potential stalkers. I hate that so much.
Whoever sent it is a jerk for that alone. I don't want to jump at shadows and doubt everything. The fact that I am means he's winning. He wanted me to be afraid and worry and look for him and wonder who he is, and if he's watching. And that's exactly what I'm doing.
I hate it. I just want to go back to the days when I looked out at the crowd and just saw smiling faces. If Gideon can give that sense of security back to me, I'll owe him for the rest of my life.
"Get some sleep," Kane orders me. "You have an early day tomorrow."
"Yes, sir," I say, sarcastically. "I'll see you tomorrow. Love you, Kane."
"Love you too, brat."
I disconnect and toss my phone on top of my dresser before heading to the bathroom. It's the only one in the apartment, and it connects from the bedroom and the hallway. I keep meaning to find a bigger place, but then I find a reason to put it off. I love where I am here. The small building is in the Music Row district, just a few blocks west of Music Square.
I push open the bathroom door and then freeze.
