Page 45 of Crossroads

Brigid screamed and kicked, trying to lash out, but Bodhi was stronger. He pinned her arms down, as I pulled out my phone and called the cops on my baby sister.

It didn’t take long for them to show up, and I made my statement, as did Bodhi. I didn’t know what they were going to charge her with. She had drugs on her, cocaine and heroin, and I didn’t even know if it was enough to be counted as distribution or not. Weed might be legal in this state, but that was about it. There was breaking and entering, damaging property, assault, and she’d thrown things at us. I didn’t know what I would do, but as they took her away and we made our statements, bile coated my tongue.

Everything would be public record, and the media would soon find out that I’d let my sister be arrested. In fact, I was the one charging her. Now, my embarrassment wouldn’t only lead to this cabin, but also to Ashford Creek, and the world.

I had to call Max and warn him, as well as my publicist and the rest of the band.

By the time we were alone, Bodhi was on the phone, texting with his family, reassuring them that all was well. Even though it didn’t feel like it. We stood in his kitchen as he fixed the back window in the cabin. Brigid had broken it and then had unlocked the door as she had paced in and out in a drugged stupor. Bodhi hadn’t heard a damn thing because he had been up the mountain, dealing with something else on the property, and I was just grateful he hadn’t gotten hurt.

“I’m sorry,” I said, my hands shaking. “For bringing this to you. You don’t deserve this.”

“Kiera,” he said, his voice soft.

“Don’t. Let me just pack up my things, and I’ll go stay at the bed and breakfast or something. You need to have your sanctuary. Your privacy. And all I’ve done is bring notice to you. I got you in the news again, and some of the townspeople keep hounding you because you’re near me and letting me stay here. And then my sister. I don’t want you to have to deal with this anymore.”

“Kiera.”

I took two steps toward the door, trying to formulate a plan, and then Bodhi’s arms were around me.

“I don’t believe that she was able to get here because of me.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“It is. I’m nothing but drama, and that’s everything that you try to stay away from.”

He turned me in his arms and glared down at me. I loved it when he glared like that. He looked so angry and mean. But that was the Bodhi that I liked.

“You’ve done nothing wrong. Well, the gate is one thing, and that’s probably on me. I’ll check it out, as well as the rest of the cameras. Your sister, for a drug addict, was very careful how she tiptoed through the side of the property to get to the cabin. And I wasn’t here to catch it.”

“You cannot blame yourself for this.”

“Neither can you. You didn’t do this. And I’m so fucking sorry that your sister is putting you in this position.”

I let the tears fall as I stared up at him. “All I do is bring nuisance.”

“You bring different,” he said carefully.

I rolled my eyes. “That is not the right word.”

“You bring change. It’s not your fault. It’s not your fault what other people think of you, or what they do to try to get to you. You are beautiful, talented, brilliant, and people want a piece of you. Hell, I’m here holding you, aren’t I?”

“It’s not the same with you,” I said, knowing that was probably the most truthful statement I had ever put between us.

“The only thing I want from you right now is for you to breathe. Just breathe.”

I leaned my forehead against his chest, my shoulders shaking. “I put my baby sister in jail.”

“Maybe she’ll get some help.”

“What if it’s not enough?”

“Then it’s not on you. She has to want to help herself.” He paused. “Just like the man who hurt my family. He didn’t help himself, but your sister will.”

I jolted, startled that he would even mention that time.

“The man who hurt my family wasn’t right. He had problems of his own, and the drugs didn’t help. I will blame him for everything that he did. I can’t help but do so. But if your sister finds a way to help herself, maybe this was the push that she needed.”

I shifted so I could move my hand up to his face, and my fingers slid through his beard.