Part 13 (1/2)

”But you have talent.”

”I'm sure you do as well.”

I thought about it for a moment, and while I didn't want to accept the challenge, I did very much want for him to write me a song. ”Okay, you're on. Get ready for a reggae masterpiece.”

”Reggae, huh?”

”I am from Miami.”

”No, you're from the South. I was expecting some country. A little something about me, your pickup truck, and your dog.”

”That's messed up, Zane. All country songs are not about pickup trucks.”

”Sorry, should I clarify it's a Ford?”

”Idiot.” I swatted him in the arm. ”I do like country. I just really like reggae as well.”

”Like Bob Marley, mon.” Zane spoke in a Jamaican accent and I burst out laughing.

”Don't ever do that again,” I chortled. ”Is Bob the only reggae artist you know?”

”No, I know his son, Ziggy, as well.” Zane bent down and kissed me on the lips. ”Okay, you do your reggae song and I'll do my creation.”

”Please no heavy metal.”

”Wait, you don't want me to scream about how I want to love and kill you? Lucckkkkkyyy, I want you to knooooe over tomorrow and pick you up for dinner.” Zane looked up as I stepped out of the bathroom in shorts and a t-s.h.i.+rt.

”Okay.”

”Thanks for doing this, Lucky.”

”I don't even know why this is needed.”

”I don't know what Braydon and his lot are capable of. I don't want to risk anything.” His voice rose and I groaned.

”Okay, okay. I don't want to get into it again.” I rolled my eyes and Zane sighed.

”I don't think you understand the seriousness of the situation, Lucky. These guys aren't going to care if they have to hurt you.” He grabbed my face. ”Please do not do anything stupid.”

I shook him off of me, feeling annoyed again. ”I'm not a little kid. I don't want to have to keep telling you that, Zane. Sometimes you can be so annoying.”

”I'm just trying to be your protector.”

”I don't need a protector.” My voice rose.

”You're right; we don't need to go into this again.” He turned away from me. ”I'm going into my office to do some work. Will you be okay by yourself?”

”Yes.” I nodded, annoyed at him. ”I'll start making some notes for the doc.u.mentary.” And looking up your mom online.

”That's good. I'm glad it's something you love.” He smiled at me sweetly and came over and gave me a kiss on the head. ”Be good, and I'll be in the study if you need to talk.”

”Yes, papa,” I whispered under my breath as I rolled my eyes at his retreating back.

”What was that?” He turned to look at me with a frown.

”Nothing, sir.” I stood to attention and saluted him. ”Nothing at all.”

Zane shook his head at me and walked out through the door. I flopped down on the bed and checked my phone. I had another message from Leeza and I decided to call her.

”Lucky!” she answered on the first ring.

”Hey.” My voice was hesitant and not super friendly as I was still upset at her from the previous call.

”Evan and I broke up,” she sighed. ”He's an a.s.shole.”

”I didn't even know you guys were dating.” I shook my head and my words were angry.

”Well, we weren't dating dating. We just hung out a few times and had s.e.x.”

”You slept with him?”

”He was hot.”

”You didn't even know him.”

”I don't have your rules, Lucky. Anyway, did you ask Zane if I can come to Los Angeles?” I could hear her pout over the phone.

”I thought you said he was creepy.”

”Oh, I just said that. Evan made me think that, but maybe he's just sweet. And not a stalker.” She paused. ”Sorry.”

”It's okay,” I sighed. ”And you can come to L.A. whenever.”

”This weekend?” she asked hopefully.

”I guess.” I wasn't really too anxious to see Leeza.

”What about tomorrow?”

”Tomorrow? You can't afford that.”

”I got a ticket already.” Her voice was low.

”Why? You didn't even know if it was going to be okay.”

”Well, Evan and I were going to take a trip, and ...”