Strong (Stage Dive 4.50)

“You didn’t come down for dinner.”

“Not hungry.”

“You know where the kitchen is if you change your mind,” she said. “We were going to watch some TV. Did you want to come join us?”

“Sort of busy right now,” I hedged. Because while I might have reluctantly realized I needed to be around my family, actually giving in to the need was another thing entirely. “But thanks for asking.”

“Okay. So long as you know you don’t have to hide out in your room.”

“I’m not hiding.” I took in the baby monitor attached to my sister-in-law’s waist and sighed. “Should I be wearing that?”

She snorted. “We don’t expect you to be on duty twenty-four-seven, Martha. Sheesh.”

I just shrugged.

“Is that how things normally go in your line of work?” Lizzy sat on the end of the bed, making herself comfortable.

“Mostly I do a mix of PR and executive assistant type functions. Usually for people with delicate egos, lots of money, and busy planners. Entertainment industry, mostly,” I said. “Being summoned at four in the morning isn’t unheard of.”

“My baby boy can be high-maintenance all right. But any four in the morning nonsense can be handled by me or his father.” She grinned. “Is the room okay?”

“Yes, it’s lovely. Bigger than my whole apartment back in New York.”

“Good. Glad you like it. We want you to be comfortable here.”

I leaned back against the antique closet, arms crossed over my chest.

“Maybe you could even be comfortable enough to tell me about that bruise on your face sometime.”

“Lizzy…”

“Don’t worry,” she said. “While I might be freaking out internally, I’m not going to push you for answers you’re not ready to give. And I really am freaking the fuck out internally, FYI.”

“Thank you for not pushing.”

“Yet.” Her shoulders rose on a deep breath as she took her time, obviously thinking over what to say next. How damn awkward. “Martha, your brother’s missed you, you know? You’re pretty much the only family he has.”

“He’s got the guys.”

Lizzy shook her head. “It’s not the same. You’re his sister, he loves you, and we’ve barely even seen you since Gibby was born. Plus my child should have an aunt he can actually recognize on sight. That would be nice.”

“Well, I’m here now.”

“Yes, but for how long?” She eyed the still mostly packed suitcase sitting open on the floor. It was a mess. A fitting description for my life right now. “Come on, hang up your clothes, Martha. Settle in and give us a chance.”

My laughter sounded brittle and false to my own ears. I doubted Lizzy would be swallowing it. The whole psychology degree thing had to get in the way. While she might not be grilling me about the black eye, her gaze kept returning to the ugly mark just the same. At least she wasn’t showing me any pity or other such unwanted weirdness.

“I’m serious.”

“Regardless of what it looks like, I don’t need protecting. You can’t really want me living here constantly in your face all the time,” I said. “The house is big, but it’s not that big. Trust me, it’ll get old.”

“Are you kidding? Since Jimmy and Lena moved and the studio got relocated to our place, it’s been designated band headquarters. People are over all the time. It’s a big part of why we got this place.” She crossed her legs, kicking one foot idly. “Unless it’s running into the guys all the time that has you worried.”

I said nothing.

“And then there’s Sam, of course.”

Still nothing. My trap could have been wired shut.