“How could you do this to us, to me?”
“Peter, calm down.” His dad ordered as if Peter were stil a smal child who didn’t get his way, yet he wouldn’t look him in the eye.
“No, I’m not going to calm down!” Peter yeled. “You let Garrett do this! You cut us off!” Of al the manipulative things Garrett had done over the years this was by far the worst. His family was interfering in his life. He couldn’t believe they would turn against him. They’d crossed the line.
“This little thing with you two has gone on long enough. It’s time to get serious with your music. We have a lot coming up,” his father said.
“What do you mean it’s gone on long enough? You’re putting a time table on my relationships?”
“It was hardly a relationship, son. You’re young, you’l date lots of girls.”
“I don’t want lots of girls, I want Libby, and YES, it IS a relationship. She gets me. She doesn’t care about al this.” He waved his hands around at the fancy trappings of the room. “And since when am I not serious about my music? Don’t you dare use that as an excuse! We’ve never been as good or successful as we are now.”
“That’s right, and now you boys have the chance to take this thing to the next level. You don’t need any distractions.”
“Oh, and Garrett’s booty cals after every show aren’t a distraction?” Peter accused.
His mother shot a surprised and disappointed look at Garrett.
She shook her head. “We’l deal with you later.”
“What? The ladies love me.” Garrett bragged.
“My God, Dad! Libby’s not a distraction, she’s my sanity.” He’d been happier these past couple months than ever before.
“You have your family for sanity. That’s going to have to be good enough,” his dad said, pointing a finger at him.
“Are you kidding me? This family is pushing me over the edge! I’m surrounded by you day and night.” Peter paced in the smal area. “If we’re not holed up in a recording studio, we’re on that damned bus. I never get a moment to myself, a private phone conversation or chance to write without someone interrupting or sticking in their two cents!”
“Peter, that’s enough.” His mother stepped in trying to soothe his anger.
He let out a deep sigh. “I love her, Mom.” He looked from his dad, who stepped away and roled his eyes, and then to his mom who offered a look of compassion.
“Honey, she isn’t what she seems.” She placed a hand on his shoulder.
“What are you talking about?” He shrugged her hand away.
“Libby’s mother has a police record,” she said.
“What?” He shook his head. “No, no! She doesn’t.” He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Where was this coming from and why would his mother repeat such a horrible lie?
“Peter, Roger has a copy of the police record to prove it.”
“What? You had her investigated?”
“Wel, you were spending al your free time talking to her or going to see her. We’ve never met the girl. Even your brother thought the situation was a bit odd,” she confessed.
Peter looked at his brothers. Adam enjoyed the family drama, and Garrett sported a cocky look of superiority. “Since when do you listen to Garrett? He’s only doing this because he wants something. He can’t stand to see me happy.”
He turned back to his mother. “You’re wrong about Libby’s mother.”
His parents exchanged a worried glance.
Peter needed them to understand and to know the truth about Libby. “Her mother’s dead. She died in a car accident a couple years ago, so you see, she can’t have a police record. That’s why Libby’s living in Rockvile with her aunt. Libby isn’t even from Wisconsin.”
His mother looked at him with sympathy. “She’s told you some tal tales, she wanted you to like her. I’m sure she didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“You’re not listening, either one of you! Libby’s entire family was in the car. Her little sister died that day too. Libby’s got scars to prove it. After the funeral her Dad lost it and she got dumped at her aunt’s. It’s not her fault if her aunt’s a criminal. My God!” He threw his hands in air, frustrated beyond belief. He looked to each family member wiling them to understand. The regret on his mother’s face, told him she now understood.
“Roger got it wrong. Mom, you never should have let this happen.” Peter shook his head, walked over to his mother and spoke quietly. “I need to talk to her,