“Are you hungry? I kept a plate warm for you.” Beth’s eyes searched hers as she started to rise from the table.
“No, thanks, maybe later.” Lily picked up a glass from the counter, pouring herself a glass of tea before going into the living room and curling up on the sofa. Flicking on the television, she searched for a program to watch as she listened to Beth and Razer doing the dishes.
Beth eventually came over and sat down on the sofa next to her. “What are you watching?”
“A cooking show.” Lily saw the concerned look on her sister’s face. “Is something wrong?”
“No. No, I guess not,” Beth answered; her eyes looked over Lily’s shoulder then returned to hers. “Razer and I were going to the clubhouse, if it’s all right with you?”
“Of course,” Lily answered.
Beth sighed, getting to her feet and then going upstairs as Razer sat down in the chair next to the couch.
Lily liked Razer. He was laid back and always friendly with her while being a grouch to everyone else.
“How was work today?” he asked casually.
“Fine.” Lily shrugged, not taking her eyes off the television screen. “I’m glad you and Beth are going out. You haven’t been to a party at the clubhouse since I came home from the hospital.” She’d had the misfortune of stopping by Sex Piston’s when both her and T.A.’s exes had decided to rob them.
During the robbery, her hand had been broken and she had developed a hematoma when she had hit her head. Since then, both Beth and Razer had been overprotective. They hadn’t left her one night by herself. Before, they would spend most of their weekends at the clubhouse.
Their new home they were building themselves was even situated behind the clubhouse. It was almost finished and Lily hadn’t been invited to even see it yet.
Her fingers went to the red rubber band on her wrist, snapping it against her flesh.
“What’s bothering you, Lily?”
Razer’s concerned gaze met hers. She gave him a reassuring smile but didn’t confide her hurt feelings at not being invited to the house. She hadn’t wanted to foist herself on them without being invited.
“Nothing that a little rest won’t solve, Razer.” Lily’s eyes went back to the cooking show on the television.
Razer’s cell rang and he headed into the kitchen to answer it.
The program was almost over when Beth came back downstairs. Her pale-blonde hair had been smoothed down and she had put on smoky eye shadow, giving her a sexy look. Her jeans and t-shirt with boots were all casual, yet Lily saw her lay a covered dress bag on the stair rail.
“I can’t wear my skirt on Razer’s bike.” She always explained with the same reason each time she carried her clothes to the clubhouse.
Lily picked at the red rubber band. They treated her like a child, and Lily was becoming frustrated that they watched everything they said around her.
“I guess we’ll be going.”
“Have fun.” Lily rose from the couch, giving her sister a hug, her frustration at her sister’s overprotectiveness disappearing at Beth’s look of concern. “Don’t worry; I’m going to spend the night catching up on my reading.”
Beth gave her a relieved smile. “What are you going to read?”
“I haven’t decided yet. I have one about discovering Alaska that I haven’t read. I usually read inspirational.” Lily smiled. “It may inspire me to leave the lower forty-eight.”
“Alaska?” Beth asked, picking up her dress bag.
“When I graduate, I’m thinking of going there. That’s why I wanted to work this summer. I’ve been saving all my paychecks,” Lily said enthusiastically.
“Lily, give me time to get over almost losing you before you start talking about going to Alaska.”
“All right.” Lily laughed, opening the door for her sister. Beth went out frowning while Razer’s amused chuckle had her looking up into his laughing eyes.
“Lil’ sis, I think you need to dream about visiting a warmer climate.” He followed his wife out the door.
Lily locked the door behind them, already missing their company. She didn’t enjoy being by herself. The problem was, she didn’t fit in with most groups. People her own age thought she was old-fashioned, older groups thought she was immature; the only place she really fit in was at church.
Lily went to the closet and took out her reading bag that she had placed there when she had come home from the library the other day. Taking the oversized bag to the couch, she took a seat, making herself comfortable before she pulled out the large book she was looking for.
The book had a cover of the Alaskan wilderness, which had instantly stirred Lily’s sense of adventure. Opening the book, she relaxed back against the soft cushions, tucking her feet underneath her.
She had just turned to the third page when the doorbell rang. Lily went to the door and checked the peephole, pausing before she opened it.
“Open the door, Lily,” Shade’s impatient voice sounded from the other side.