Page 54 of Hard Rock Love

“I’m turning over a new leaf,” he said. “Can’t sleep in when I’ve got all this stuff going on.”

“Hm.” Julian eyed him, then turned to me. “Have you seen Ev’s purple boots? She’s been looking for them.”

“I think I saw them in her bedroom. I’ll go get them.”

I hustled my way across the apartment and went to Everly’s bedroom, taking time to calm my heartbeat.

Everything was fine. Julian hadn’t seen anything. He couldn’t tell my sister because there was nothing to tell.

At least, not yet.

I’d told Seth to leave Everly to me, and I meant it. I knew she was overprotective and she wouldn’t take it well when she found out one of her best friends — older than me by a handful of years and one she considered irresponsible, at best — was dating her baby sister.

I was going to tell her myself. I was. Eventually. I just needed some time. Time to figure out what I wanted to say, and time to make sure this thing with me and Seth stuck. Our relationship was brand new. Who was to say it would last? The thought of it broke my heart, but I had to be realistic. Not all relationships worked out. There was no need to worry my sister for no reason.

I spotted her boots in the corner and picked them up. When I left the bedroom, I saw Julian and Seth standing close to each other. Julian had that usual dispassionate, unreadable expression on his face, but the look in his eyes was pointed.

“—the hell you think you’re doing,” I heard him say in low tones.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Seth said with a breezy wave of his hand. “Me and Abby are going to plan the best event those kids have ever seen.”

“Fine,” Julian said after a moment. “You just watch yourself.”

“Always do,” Seth replied.

Julian shook his head with an exasperated sigh, which I had to assume was a common occurrence with him and his best friend.

“Here are the boots.” I handed them over to Julian with a bright smile.

“Thanks.” He gave me a probing look. “If you ever need anything, you know you can call me, right?”

It was unusually direct for Julian, who usually preferred to leave things unsaid.

“I know,” I told him. “Thank you.”

Julian nodded in reply and opened the front door to leave. Just before he walked out, he threw Seth one last look and mouthed a word at him.

Behave.

Seth waved him goodbye with a maniacal grin. Julian practically rolled his eyes, and closed the door behind him.

I slumped over in relief.

“Holy shit,” I breathed.

“It’s all good,” Seth said. “Julian doesn’t suspect a thing.”

I gave Seth a skeptical look, my chest still heaving with deep breaths. He tipped my chin up to look at him.

“Hey,” he said softly. “It’s okay. And if people find out…” he shrugged. “It's not the end of the world.”

“No, just the end of your friendship with my sister.” I let out a heavy sigh. “I suppose even if Julian guesses, he probably won’t say anything to Everly. I’m sure he understands I want to be the one to tell her.”

“Are you going to?” Seth asked. I could hear the nervous question in his tone.

“I just need to figure out how,” I hedged, not wanting to admit my full reason.

Seth placed a quick kiss on my lips.

“Whenever you’re ready, I’ll be there to support you.”

My chest glowed with warmth.

“Thank you.” I glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall. “It may be early in the morning for you, but I’m used to being hard at work at this time. Do you want to get some studying in, now that we have a free minute?”

“I’ve actually got a better idea for how we can spend our morning.” Seth beamed as he bounced up and down on his toes. If he were a puppy his tail would have been wagging furiously.

“Anything is a better idea than studying, according to you,” I said.

“Trust me,” Seth said. “You’re going to love it.”