Free Devil's Despair Box Set: Books 1-3 by A.C. Bextor

if you don’t know what that is yet. Regret is a ghost you’ll never let go of. Sadey’s gone, and you can’t change what never was.” Then I hear the door’s handle click. Finally, Bean’s left me.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    Cherry
    “THANK YOU FOR today; that was probably the most fun I’ve had in months. Definitely the most fun I’ve had since Ace brought me here.” It’s true. I haven’t stopped smiling since we left the house this afternoon.
    “Told you there were things to see in this city.” He’s smiling, too. His dimples are deep, and his laugh lines protrude from the sides of his goatee. “Neil Diamond, though? Can’t say I saw that comin’. I pictured you more of a heavy metal rocker type of girl.”
    “What’s wrong with Neil Diamond? He’s a classic.”
    “He’s old , Raegan. Not classic .”
    “Whatever. You know you’ll be singing Forever in Blue Jeans the rest of the night. You don’t even have to tell me, I’ll just know you will.”
    Planting his forehead on the steering wheel, feigning annoyance, he hits the eject button on the CD player and hands me my new CD, purchased courtesy of him. He’s lying that he doesn’t find Neil the least bit talented. “Get outta my Jeep. I’m sure Ace is waiting for his girl to get home.”
    My smile fades, and I don’t try to hide it. I had such a good day today. I don’t want it stained with thoughts of Ace’s overprotective and cold attitude toward me being out today with Travis or anyone.
    “Ah, don’t look like that. Ace just worries, that’s all. If he’s not pissed off at the world, he’s worrying about you. He’s expanding his anxiety at least, right?” he says while touching my cheek with his palm, letting me lean into it for platonic support.
    Smiling softly and without sincerity, I open the door and get out of the Jeep. Turning around from heading toward the stairs, I look back when Travis calls my name through the passenger side window.
    Once looking at him, he lowers his radio and then I hear him sing, without music, the words to Forever in Blue Jeans by the great Neil Diamond.
    Old, my ass. Classic is what he is.
    One thing I’ve learned today is that it’s a good thing Trav’s hell on the keyboard, ‘cause he can’t carry a tune to save his life.
    Travis and I went to the wax museum as he promised. Then shopping, lunch, and a walk in a park downtown. We talked about nothing of importance, but talking to someone other than those I live with felt rejuvenating. I did find out that he likes country music, though. No one would have convinced me of this if he hadn’t admitted it himself.
    He misses his dad. After a brief run-down on what happened, he confessed that he hasn’t felt anything but alone since he died; they were close. His dad was blue-collar and they never had much money, but he always supported Travis in anything he tried to do.
    Travis also told me he works as a mechanic full-time because the gig at The Ward “doesn’t pay shit” and although he enjoys it, he adamantly refuses to ever being in the band full-time “again”.
    When I prodded for more information on what the word “again” meant, he cut me off, telling me I would have to ask Ace. Right. Ace won’t tell me anything unless it has to do with me; how to dress, how to wear my hair, how to stay safe, when to be home. He’s tight-lipped about his past and the only new thing I’ve learned about him since leaving Peril is that Ace apparently knows how to play guitar. It’s something, at least.
    Walking in the apartment, I immediately sense its stillness. The sun is fading and the room has been left without lights. I don’t see or hear Bean or Sarah and Ace said he’d be here when I got home.
    Setting down the bags from shopping and taking off my shoes, placing them by the door, I turn around and run smack into Ace’s chest while releasing a small scream. As he looks down at me, I note that he doesn’t look happy.
    “Six hours, Cherry?” His