Harmony and Jaxon were still chatting with the group, so I continued on, my leg on fire with every step, but I really didn’t want to take anything that would cloud my mind. I needed to be alert and on top of everything tonight.
I stopped my hobbling and took a few deep breaths.
“You in pain?”
I jumped, seriously jostling my tentative hold on gravity, and found strong arms wrapping around my waist to steady me.
“You need to get off your feet,” Lincoln growled.
I tried to push him away, but he didn’t budge. “I’m fine.”
“Baby, your face shows everything and you look like you’re in a shit ton of pain.”
I tried to stand taller, hard to do when being held tightly by a demigod and using crutches to stay upright. “First, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t call me baby. Second, whether or not I’m in pain is really none of your concern. Now, if you’d please release me, I have work to do.”
“Jesus,” he whispered.
“Jesus doesn’t really factor into this,” I sassed. “I’m the one who’s going to have to navigate the auditorium steps.”
“Lyric!” my sister called. I craned my neck and she frowned. “You okay?”
“You’re asking menow?” I retorted. “After I nearly fell flat on my face?”
“You were never gonna fall,” Lincoln countered. “I had you.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You also do not factor into this, Lincoln.”
“She’s good,” Lincoln called out. “I’ll help her inside.”
“No you won’t.”
“Yeah, I will.”
“Jesus,” I hissed.
He smirked. “Jesus doesn’t factor into this.”
I rolled my eyes as he turned my words back on me.
“Ready?” he asked.
“I can—”
“Need you to let me help you, Lyric, ’cause if you end up flat on your gorgeous ass, I’m gonna have a problem with that.”
“You think my ass is gorgeous?” I asked, then immediately added, “Don’t answer that.”
He scowled again. “I think everything about you is gorgeous.”
“Stop,” I hissed. “Just help me inside and leave me be.”
“Your wish is my command.”
He took one of my crutches, wrapped his arm around my waist and helped me down the shallow auditorium steps.
“What the fuck is that?” he grumbled.
“Melody’s rehearsing,” I answered.
