camera at the ready.
“Peter’s little stalker friend won’t be bothering him anymore.
Turns out she got dumped today.” Garrett crossed his arms looking satisfied with himself.
“Peter, you dumped Libby?” Adam lowered his camera, confusion on his face.
Peter spoke slowly, his words measured and jaw clenched.
“No, I haven’t talked to Libby today. Garrett, you better tel me what you did right now or so help me I’l break your frickin’ neck.” He forced his fisted hands to his sides, not trusting himself.
“This morning, while you were on your run, I gave your little friend a cal.” Garrett loved an audience, even if it was only Adam.
“I told her how bored you are with her and that you want her to go away. Forever.” Garrett raised an eyebrow, an open chalenge to Peter.
Adam’s eyes grew wide with shock. “Garrett, you’re a dead man.”
“Peter doesn’t have the cajones. Plus, he’d rather go write a song about it than risk breaking a fingernail on his playing hand.”
“You’re lying. You wouldn’t dare cal Libby.” Hot rage overcame Peter at the thought of Garrett’s interference.
“I did more than dare, I was quite convincing. I even had the phone company cancel her service!”
Peter dove across the coffee table and sent a flower arrangement crashing to the floor. He slammed into Garrett and knocked the breath out of him as they hit the floor. They roled around on the hardwood floor as Peter struck out and tried to pin his brother down. Garrett plowed into a teak side table knocking it over along with a decorative lamp that shattered on impact. Deaf to everything other than his malicious brother, Peter heaved each breath. He grabbed Garrett by the shoulders and slammed him against the floor. A loud thud sounded at the impact of his head to hardwood. Garrett was unable to avoid Peter’s powerful blows any longer. Peter pinned him and blind with rage delivered direct hits.
His body hummed with an unseen drive. He noticed the taste of blood in his mouth from one lucky shot Garrett snuck through. But nothing mattered other than the fact Garrett had gone after Libby and hurt her. It was unforgiveable. She’d suffered too much, and this time it was by the hand of his egotistical, power hungry brother.
He went for another hit when he felt himself yanked off the struggling Garrett. His dad and Roger did al they could to restrain Peter. His mom watched in horror.
“Peter, what the hel is going on in here? Are you out of your mind?” his father roared.
“Jett, calm down. It’s not good for your heart,” Peter’s mom pleaded, taking his father by the arm.
Peter’s breath came in quick heavy bursts, as adrenaline coursed through his body. He resisted the urge to pummel Garrett into oblivion. The last thing he wanted was more heart problems for his dad. He shrugged away their grip.
“Karen, I’m fine.” His father looked from Peter to Garrett, waiting for an answer. “Garrett, you want to explain why Peter felt the need to fight with you just minutes after a camera crew left the room?”
The sound of Adam’s camera clicking filed the void. He lounged on the couch, not a care in the world. A carefree grin on his face, he snapped shots of the action, enjoying the drama.
“Adam, put that damned camera down! The last thing we need is evidence of this debacle,” his father said.
Garrett lay on the floor, his carefuly styled hair a mess, and the beginnings of a fat lip growing. “He’s just a little bent out of shape that I caled Libby and broke it off for him.”
“You didn’t!” His mom turned on Garrett in disbelief. “What is wrong with you!”
Why it surprised any of them, Peter couldn’t say. Garrett did whatever served Garrett best.
“Someone had to do it. It’s not like we haven’t talked about how messed up Peter’s been ever since he started going out with her.” Garrett stood up, his torn shirt untucked and wrinkled, a bruise beginning to form on his face. “I’m just the one with the guts to folow through.” He touched his swolen lip and flinched.
Peter couldn’t believe what he heard. His family talked about his relationship with Libby? He pushed his hair back in frustration.
“Heck, Dad even agreed. He said the band would be better off if you lost the dead weight.”
“Garrett, that’s enough.” His father’s voice was stern, but Peter noticed his guilty eyes.
Peter realized it was true, they were talking behind his back.
He turned to his dad.