AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Elic.”
Reed smiled. It lit his entire face. Straight white teeth, warm hazel eyes, he was gorgeous in a different way from Casper. “That’s a beautiful name. Do you have a home, Elic?”
I shook my head and dropped my gaze to my lap. My jeans weren’t the color of dark blue denim any longer. They were closer to black from the dirt that had accumulated on them. I’d tried to wash them, but it was no use.
“Okay. We’re heading north to just past Dremest. Do you know where that is?”
I nodded. I’d heard of the city, although hadn’t made it up there before. I was stuck in the waste of this area. I didn’t even want to think about, let alone say the name of it. Memories assaulted me of its streets, of the actions done to me there.
“I’d like you to come home with us. Our aunt is a doctor. She can look at you.”
Finally lifting my head, I asked, “How would I get back?”
“Do you want to come back here?”
I bit my bottom lip, afraid to say more. Who in their right mind would want to return, but what were my options? The streets were my home.
“You can stay with me.”
“Reed,” Casper hissed.
Reed ignored him. “Our family owns a large farm. I have a house on the property. You’re welcome to stay there. We could even see if there’s work for you. We have the farm and a restaurant.”
“Reed,” Casper said more firmly.
Turning to him, Reed bit out, “I don’t answer to you, Cas. If I want to invite Elic into my home, that’s my business. Or did you have plans to spend time with me off tour?”
Casper growled low and spun, stomping toward the back of the bus.
“Ignore him,” Reed coaxed and grinned. “I do.”
I wanted to ask if they were together, but knew it wasn’t my business. Reed was offering me a place to live and possibly a job. This couldn’t be real. “What do you want?”
He cocked his head. “From you? Nothing. I was being honest when I said I wanted to help. There are no strings attached. I have the means to do this and want to.” It was obvious they had money. The word tour was mentioned. I could ask about it since he’d brought it up, right?
“You said you were off tour?”
“We’re a band. We’ve been traveling the country for months and are heading home for some much-needed rest. I have my place on the farm. Casper has a penthouse in Dremest. He’s my brother.”
“Stepbrother!” I heard yelled from the back.
Reed’s lips quirked up on one side. “Stepbrother. Slater and Dash are brothers too. They live on adjoining land a few miles from me. We take care of each other. You’ll see.” The last time I’d listened to music that wasn’t being blasted from a car or a storefront was a long time ago, well before everything went wrong. I wasn’t really into music back then either. My mom would put it on while she did chores.
“And Starry?”
Reed turned, seeking her out. She lifted her nose toward the kitchen counter where Slater made something to eat. “She might like the farm too. There are lots of cows for her to bark at. My parents have a pack of dogs she could make friends with.”
“Are you sure? You don’t even know me.” How could he be so easy about this? I was a stranger.
When he looked at me again, he was more serious. “I’m an excellent judge of character. I don’t sense an ounce of danger from you. Plus, if you were to hurt me, my dad is a very good shot. I also know some big men who wouldn’t mind coming over to fight if I wasn’t able to.”
That was the moment Casper stomped back to where we sat. I shrank back the best I could, not sure if he was going to hurt me or Reed.
“You’re good, Elic. I won’t harm you. As for you…” He pointed at Reed. “We need to talk.”
“We can do that later. I’m speaking with Elic right now.”
“Reed,” he growled.
