I scan his face. He has the same colored eyes as the other guy, but that’s the only thing that is similar. His dark blond hair reaches just below his ears and his skin is tan, unlike the other guy who is pale but covered in colorful tattoos.
Livvy walks toward the guy who is still standing next to me and they hug, much in the same way that she did with the tattooed guy.
“Come, sit!” She shuffles toward the table, waving us all over.
“I—”
“Sit your ass down, Lexi. You’re a part of my family now too.” I open my mouth to tell her that I need to go and get changed, after all I’m only in a pair of leggings and a tank top. I’m all too aware that I don’t have a bra on so I wrap my arms around myself, trying to cover myself the best I can.
“Lexi, this is West.” She points to the tattooed one. “And this is Seb,” she says, patting Blondie’s hand.
“Nice to meet you,” I squeak. “I’m Alexis, no, just Lexi.” I shake my head at myself. Why can’t I ever meet anyone and be freaking normal?
“Well, Alexis, no, just Lexi… it’s nice to meet you,” West says, a smirk on his face. “Where’d you find her?” he asks Livvy.
“She’s my jailbird.” She reaches over and squeezes my hand, affection on her face.
“Your what what?” Seb’s eyes widen and I wince at the rage on his face.
“My jailbird.” Livvy shrugs and gets up, starting to clear some of the mess off the counters. “I’m helping her get back on her feet. She’s just come out from a stint in juvie and prison.” She spins around and frowns at me. “Is that the right lingo?”
“It is.” I chuckle.
“Awesome.” She fist bumps the air. “I’m still down with the kids.”
Both guys groan but I smile: I love it when she’s like this.
The kitchen is silent for several minutes as West and Seb stare at each other, seeming to have some kind of silent conversation without having spoken a word to each other.
“So... prison, huh?” Seb’s deep voice finally asks.
I shrug and sink lower in my seat as I watch Livvy pull some bacon out and set it next to the stovetop.
“I—I’m gonna go and grab a shower, Livvy.” I push my chair back and practically run out of the kitchen and to my room, but before I make it behind the safety of my door, a hand grips my arm.
“Lexi.” I gasp and spin around at the sound of Seb’s voice. “Why are you here?”
His eyes cloud with anger and distrust and I shiver from the coldness displayed in them. “I-I…”
“Spit it out,” he growls. “I ain’t having some leach come here and take my gran for a fool.”
I swallow at the pure rage that is vibrating off him, my voice lost.
“Sebastian Dixon, you let go of Lexi, right now!”
He narrows his eyes, squeezing his hand slightly in warning before letting go and spinning around to face Livvy. As soon as he’s distracted, I run into my room and shut the door behind me, leaning my back against it and dropping down onto the floor.
I bring my knees up to my chest and listen as Livvy berates Seb.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m just protecting you, Gran.”
I hear her scoff. “You haven’t been here for years, and you think you can show up now and protect me?” Her voice gets closer. “Lexi wouldn’t hurt a fly. I’m helping her. She’s on a program.”
“That don’t mean shit, Gran. She could be robbing you blind—”
“Yeah, sure. Someone who wants to rob me pays me three months’ rent in advance, helps me run errands when I can hardly walk and cleans my house without me asking. Yep! Picture of a thief there, Seb.”