Meandering downstairs, I heard Aunt Debbie and some woman in the kitchen. They were discussing fundraisers and bake sales. Wanting to be far away from that conversation, I wandered outside to the front porch.

I sucked in a breath of fresh air, happy to be free from the suffocating drama inside. Crisp air filled my lungs as I took in the night. The sky was gorgeous. I'd seriously never seen so many stars in my life. Colorado's sky surpassed anything Florida offered.

Don't get me wrong, the beach was great, but I was a diehard fangirl when it came to the sky. I loved watching the ever-morphing clouds and don't even get me started on the stars and the moon.

Huh. Maybe there was a plus to living here because damn. The endless stars at this elevation were fucking out of this world. The moon looked nearly full and served as a spotlight in the darkness, telling me I was home.

The rustling of leaves yanked my attention to the side of the house, but I couldn't see anything in the darkness. There were no fences in this neighborhood, but considering the ample distance between homes, personal barriers weren't exactly a necessity. After searching for a minute, I found nothing. It must've just been a small animal.

Taking a seat on the front steps, I mindlessly started strumming my guitar while humming my new song as I continued to study the moon. It looked like it would be full in a few days.

"Damn, you're really good." Lucas appeared by my side, smiling as he sat.

I stopped fingering the chords to find Missy, but Lucas was totally alone. "Where's Missy?"

"Upstairs in your room. She's supposedly helping Jenny, but I know she's really just drooling over Tyler." Lucas gave me a tight smile as he rested his elbows on his knees.

I knotted my brow, wondering why he just told me that, but I'd seen the way Missy gazed longingly at Tyler this morning. So, I guess it really wasn't that big of a secret.

My heart ached for Lucas. The sad look on his face told me he had a big problem with Missy's crush. "Does she do that... often?"

"Yeah, it's annoying as hell. I mean, besides Justin, he's my bestfriend. And fuck, I know Ty's one of the most popular guys in school, but so am I. Why does everyone want him? He's the biggest player I know." Lucas's brow furrowed.

I playfully strummed a tune and made up a silly song. "Big man on campus. You think a lot of yourself. Just remember school's hell. One day, it'll all be over and you'll be happy that shit's done."

A sexy grin spread across lips as he released a hearty laugh. "Damn. How'd you do that?"

I smiled and sang in a weird voice. "Do what?"

"Make me feel good when I was feeling like shit." Lucas's green eyes sparkled. "Will you play a real song for me?"

My heart sped up, and I shook my head. "I don't think—"

"Oh, come on. Just one song?" Lucas nudged me with his elbow. "Please?"

"Hm... okay. Just give me a sec to think of one you'll know." Pressing my lips together, I decided on the country song, When You Say Nothing At All. It always took me back to happier times, since it was one of Dad's favorites.

I stood, exhaled an audible breath, and faced Lucas. "Okay, first things first, no laughing and no judgment. I'm only doing this for you, so don't be a dick if I mess up. Got it?"

Lucas nodded, sending me an encouraging smile. "You got it."

Content with his answer, I nodded. "Okay. Here we go."

Usually, in moments like these, nerves took over. It wasn't easy putting myself out there and playing in front of people, but Lucas was different. The way he watched patiently told me he wasn't here to judge, which put me completely at ease. With his intense gaze fixed on me, I strummed the intro before I started to sing my heart out.

Performing one of Dad's favorite songs made me want to sing for Dad again. My eyes began to water. I missed him so much. And shit. I was getting way too emotional. I should've chosen a different song.

When I finished, Lucas continued gazing like I was still performing. He was completely speechless.

Chuckling nervously, I set my guitar down and bowed. "So there you have it, Ladies and Gentlemen, the most horrible singer slash songwriter in the world."

After a moment of silence with Lucas studying me, I sat down uncomfortably. "Was it that bad?"

"No. God, no. I'm just... fucking fascinated. I don't even know what to say." Lucas's green eyes slowly began to glow as he searched my face. "That was... you're... incredible."

Heat coursed between us as I gave him a shaky grin. "I don't know about incredible, but I'm glad you liked it."

Lucas's eyes melted to liquid emerald as he scooted closer, nearly touching his arm to mine. "I didn't just like it. I loved it, Ember."

Butterflies took flight in my stomach. Specs of lime green swirled in his emerald eyes, distracting me. I couldn't seem to pull my attention away as he analyzed me.

I'm not sure if Lucas even realized what he was doing when he barely ran the pad of his pinky over my hand, but the jolting power that surged over me was instantaneous.

Just like with Tyler and Justin, I flinched and tensed as the energy bolted through my muscles, speedily vibrating its way throughout every ventricle of my being.

Lucas's eyes widened in shock, but his never-ending gaze stayed firm as I relented to what would happen next. His sweet energy swirled within my heart, encouraging me to let him in. Unable to reject him, I lowered all my defenses, and once I did, elation and joy swept over me. I smiled and relished in satisfaction as goosebumps tingled across every inch of my skin before my hand curled around his.

Vertigo slammed into me as my eyes shut. Behind my eyelids, a bright green ball of light pulsed to life and burst into hundreds of particles. They danced and twirled before rushing toward me, whooshing into my brain. Every tiny particle communicated that Lucas would never hurt me and that he would always take care of me. There was no question that I was only receiving the truth.

Holy shit. That's when it dawned on me. Instead of repelling Lucas's energy, like I had with Tyler and Justin, I'd given Lucas permission to stream through me, and he somehow connected with me all the way to my core.

Suddenly, pain sliced over my shoulder blades. No, not over. Under. The pain was coming from inside. Something sharp was trying to get out. Wanting to scream, I blocked Lucas's connection, slamming all my mental doors shut.

"Are you alright?" Lucas squeezed my hand. "You look like you're going to throw up."

His words brought me back to the present as the stabbing pressure under my skin ceased.

My eyelids snapped open, and that's when I realized I had his hand in a death grip. Immediately dropping it, I looked away. "Sorry. Yeah, I-I'm good."

My head began to pound, telling me another fucking migraine was about to begin. Damn it. When would this stop? I'd taken my pill today, and it still wasn't helping. This shit was getting worse instead of better. What the fuck?

Knowing I must've acted like a crazy lunatic, it surprised me when Lucas stayed by my side. After a long embarrassing moment of trying to pull it together, I found the courage to look at him again.

Lucas squinted, gauging me. "Did something happen when I touched you?"

"What? No." I shook my head and rubbed my sweaty palms on my joggers.

Lucas chagrined and rubbed his hands together. "It looked like you were in pain and you were shaking. Bad. I know something's up. You can tell me."

Shit. Why couldn't he just let it go?

"Nope. I'm good." I gave him a tentative smile, trying to figure out what to say that would make him drop the subject. "Sorry. I didn't mean to grab your hand like that, I was just feeling light-headed. I get really bad headaches sometimes."

Inhaling deeply, Lucas's nostrils flared before he broke off eye contact and glanced up at the moon. "Oh. I just thought... never mind."

Needing to get away from the awkwardness, I forced a yawn. "Do you think they're done in my room yet?"

Caught off guard, Lucas ran a hand over his dark fauxhawk that had softened over the day. "Um... yeah. Probably."

I massaged my temples, trying to soothe the painful throbs in my brain. "I'm tired. I'm gonna go inside."

Lucas's hand landed on my knee, and I stiffened as his concerned gaze met with mine. "Hey, I know we barely know each other, but between you and me, I know why Missy doesn't like you. She's jealous as fuck. Don't let all the bullshit get to you, okay? I'm here... whenever you need me. I don't talk shit, and I would never tell anyone anything."

Yeah, that wasn't going to happen. This guy was my cruel cousin's boy toy. Lucas was too good for her, but that didn't change the fact that he was with her. I could only imagine what kind of hell Missy would put me through if she found out I went to Lucas for help. Hard fucking pass.

"She's got a boyfriend. Hands off," Tyler said angrily from behind us. How long had he been there?

Lucas gave my leg a gentle squeeze before he stood, facing Tyler. "Dude, we were just talking."

I sighed in frustration. Tyler had no right to talk to Lucas like that. Looping my guitar strap over my shoulder, I stood. "Don't be a jackass, dickhead. Lucas was actually being nice. You of all people, could learn a thing or two from him."

"What?" Tyler's eyebrows shot up so high they nearly hit the rim of his backward hat. "I have been nice. I opened your locker and got you clothes today."

"Yeah, I'll give you the locker thing, but the clothes are one hell of a stretch." I scoffed, knowing I could say more, but I didn't want to re-visit the freaky uncle situation.

Lucas crossed his arms as he released a deep laugh. "Oh, my God. I heard about that. I think that pink halter top belonged to one of his hookups last year."

"Dude!" Tyler slapped the back of Lucas's head, but Lucas just kept laughing.

"I knew it! Did you hear about his hoodie? He practically forced me to wear it. I only wore it home because I was half-naked in that stupid halter top. I seriously had no choice." I bent to grab my songbook and when I stood, Lucas and Tyler were having a stare-off, or should I say glare-off?

"You guys had no right keeping this from me," Lucas growled like a wild animal, surprising the hell out of me, before he aggressively shoved Tyler. "I fucking knew something was up."

Tyler's eyes shot to me before they landed back on Lucas. "Time and place, man."

Lucas glanced at me apologetically, but he didn't say anything.

Were they talking in code again? And why did I care? Screw them and their secret bullshit.

"I guess I should say 'see you guys later,' but honestly, I hope I don't." I stalked through the front door and made sure to slam it behind me.

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