Star-Crossed Letters (Falling for Famous #1)(59)

“I gave the guards strict instructions. But obviously, one of your housemates overrode them.”

As we go through the gates, we pass cars lined up the driveway. I roll down the window to hear music blaring from the house and pool area.

The SUV slows to a stop, and I jump out, not worrying about my bags or Duncan, and stride up the wide staircase into the house. I don’t need to open the door because it’s already wide-open, which only pisses me off further.

Inside, I scan the room for Daisy or Olivia. I’m prepared for the worst, but rather than the raging party I fear, there are small groups of people scattered around, talking and drinking beer. I recognize all the faces, people we’ve known for years, and my heart rate slows, just a little.

A group of Ryder’s bandmates congregates by the pool table.

“Hey, man,” the guitar player, Kenji, says as I walk by. “You down to party? Ryder’s finally writing music again. The next album is coming.”

So that’s what this is about. On a normal night, I’d be amped for Ryder. But now is not the time. “I’m looking for two girls. One has long black hair, and the other is short, blond.”

“You mean Olivia and Daisy?”

I don’t like Kenji’s smile when he says their names. It seems far too appreciative. I decide maybe he’s not so cool after all.

“Yes,” I grate out.

“They’re in the pool.”

Feminine laughter and a squeal filter in through the row of French doors. I follow the sounds outside.

And there is Olivia, having climbed out of the water, standing backlit by the pool lights, water dripping from her gorgeous curves. Her pale skin is set off against a deep-blue bathing suit. It’s not as revealing as the bikinis flaunted around the pool, but somehow that just makes it sexier. She throws her head back and laughs at something Sebastian says. Jealousy, hot and primal, rushes through my body. Mine. The fierce longing echoes inside me. I want to make her laugh. Make her smile. Every damn day.

I stride toward her, watching intently, waiting for the moment she sees me. When she does, her mouth opens in surprise.

“Chase.” She gasps, pulling a fluffy white towel around her. I mourn the disappearance of all her creamy skin.

Is she breathless from laughing or from seeing me?

The proof that she’s safe is right here before me. All I want is to wrap my arms around her and never let go. Vow to never leave her again. Yell at her for how worried I’ve been. I’ve been imagining the scenarios of our reunion in my head the entire trip home.

But it’s not like any of that.

Now that I’m in front of her, all the adrenaline that had been carrying me, leaves. I’m awkward and unsure and shaky with relief.

“Olivia,” is all I say. I don’t complete my sentence. Olivia, I’m so fucking glad you’re here, you’re safe.

The last time I’d seen her, we’d spent the night in each other’s arms. I thought we’d said goodbye forever. Now what the hell am I going to do?

She takes a hesitant step toward me, and I mirror the move. We stand a few feet apart, just taking each other in.

“I’m so damn sorry about the fire.” My voice is hoarse with emotion.

“Stop. It isn’t your fault,” Olivia says softly.

“Are you sure you aren’t hurt?” I scan every part of her body I can see, assessing any damage.

“No, I was lucky. I’m fine,” she reassures me.

“When I think about what could have happened to you…”

“Chase!” Daisy runs over and throws herself into my arms, soaking body and all. She messes up my hair with wet hands.

I push away the frustration of being interrupted. The truth is, I don’t know what I was going to say. I switch gears and smile down at Daisy. “Hey, kid.”

“It’s about time you got home,” she says with a cheeky grin. “You had to send someone else to rescue us.”

Sebastian swims up to the side of the pool. “Hey, man. You missed all the fun. Throw me a beer, will you?”

I ignore his request and walk over to him, kneeling down so that he can see I’m deadly serious.

“So, what part of take care of Daisy and Olivia did you not understand? You selfish prick. Olivia is getting threatening letters from one of my fans, and then her house catches fire. I doubt that’s a coincidence. I asked Ryder to bring them here to keep them safe, and you throw a party? Do you not recall what happened before?” My voice is quiet, controlled, and sharp as a blade.

Daisy puts her hand on my shoulder. “It’s not Sebastian’s fault,” she says. “I was bored and just wanted a little fun. They only invited close friends.”

“It’s not a party, dude. It’s a gathering,” Sebastian says, backing away from me in the pool, his hands held up in innocence. “Besides,” he says, tilting his chin up, “I could be wrong here, but I think this is my place, my property, so I can do whatever the hell I want.” He says it lightly, but I can read the challenge in his eyes.

And fuck, he’s right. Ryder and I both stayed with Sebastian because he needed us to keep his old seedy entourage of druggies and users away, to keep him tethered and stable. He tends to unspool when left alone.

We continue to stay because it’s secure, comfortable, easy. This may only be a place to rest my head in the short stints between movie gigs, but when I’m here, it feels a bit like family, something I know precious little about.