Rock Reclaimed (Rock Revenge Trilogy 2)

I finished the deliciously cool water and set the cup aside before glancing at my arm. There was a small nightlight on across the room and there was some moonlight bleeding through the blinds, but that wasn’t enough light for her to see my sunburn. “I’m not quite that bad.”

“Says you. You’re going to be peeling like a potato tomorrow. Won’t look good for your press pictures.”

“Who says I’m going to have any?”

“Just a logical guess based on your large and vocal internet fanbase.” Her tone was dry. “Here, you need some of this since I’m sure you don’t have any supplies at home.”

“Who says I have one of those either?” My response was quiet, but her rabbit ears caught it just the same.

“Of course, you have a home.” Halfway to her feet, she paused, still kneeling with one knee on the bed. “Don’t you?”

“Sure.” I said it easily, noncommittally.

If Motel Sixteen counted as such, then yes, absolutely.

“I know that kind of thing is part of the rockstar mystique.” She went to her dresser and rummaged through a small collection of bottles. “My cousin Ni—” She cleared her throat. “At least that’s what I’ve heard.”

Cousin Nick, huh? Seemed like that was what she’d been intent on saying, and if so, that was Lila’s husband. Wasn’t that a fucking kick in the small and wrinklies?

Interesting that she’d cut herself off. She didn’t want me to know any more about her than vice versa.

I knew why I wasn’t exactly proud of my past—or my family reunion with my brother, even if I’d been the one to so rudely instigate it. But what was her agenda? Why didn’t she want me to know she was connected to Ripper as Sabrina had made so very clear?

“Well, I’m not a rockstar yet.”

“Heavy on the yet.”

Turnabout was fair play. “So, Lila is your cousin, yeah?”

She didn’t answer right away. “How do you know?”

“Very evasive, Miss Manning. I happened to overhear you and her speaking at Ripper my first day in the States. You were arguing about photographing the Zeps show.”

Her gasp was audible. “You knew who I was before the Blue Rhino concert?”

“I never saw your face, just became enthralled with the music of your voice. Then there you were on my stage. I didn’t make the connection until I saw the name Zoe on your Instagram page and Sabrina told me you were ‘property of Ripper Records.’”

“Pardon me?”

“She means well, I think. She was warning me away from you, because she caught me fondling your camera in the dressing room.”

“You were what?” She held up a hand. “Never mind. I don’t want to know. Do you have any allergies?”

“Liars.” The answer popped out, surprising me probably more than her.

As if I had room to talk. I lied as easily as I breathed, by necessity. And from daily habit.

“Fascinating. I meant to topical substances.” She came back to the bed with a bottle in her hand. “Specifically aloe vera and eucalyptus. Might be a hint of mint in this blend as well.”

“What’s that for? If it’s lube, I come prepared.”

“Ha ha. Very funny. At least I hope you’re being funny, because the idea of you carrying…that around is gross.”

“Even I have to agree with that one.”

“Aloe soothes burns. The other ingredients add a pleasant scent and other medicinal qualities.” She sat on the edge of the bed and held out the bottle. “Try it. It should help with the sting.”

I took the bottle, popped the lid, and sniffed. It smelled nice. Sort of like what I’d smelled on the beach earlier, except better. It mixed well with Zoe’s sun-soaked coconut scent, too.