along with the music video. There was some sort of mix up at the editing company and they lost a ful minute of tape.” He pushed his hands through his hair. “Something about a system failure and inadequate off-site back up systems. Anyway, We have to refilm the missing scenes. It’s an outdoor shoot at the Fisherman’s Market in Seattle.”
“Okay.” She tried to folow his confusing explanation.
“The problem is, a storm is coming in and the only window of time to get the shooting done is tomorrow, so Adam, Garrett and I have to fly out tonight. I’m sorry.” He looked so disappointed.
“But, I can be back tomorrow night or the next day for sure. Crud, that’s not true. The day after, we have rehearsals for the Video Music Awards, but you could stil fly out and join me. It’l be a lot of industry stuff, but at least we’l be together part of the time.” She glanced at DarLynn who pretended to occupy herself with the television remote. “Peter, come with me.” Libby took him by the hand and led him out on the balcony for privacy. Once she closed the patio doors, they stood at the railing overlooking the beautiful skyline of downtown Denver. She’d love to share the his crazy rock star life, but deep down knew she couldn’t.
“Are you okay?” Concern etched his face.
“I’m fine.” She nodded and took a deep breath for courage and hoped she handled this right. “I love you. You do know that don’t you?”
“Yeah, I know.” He squeezed her hand.
“When I met you, you were the bright light that saved me from the darkest depths. My life was so miserable in Rockvile with Aunt Marge and you were the shining star that led me to happiness.
And after that, when everything fel apart and I thought you didn’t want to see me again, you stil gave me strength. The happiness you brought me translated into determination to stop getting pushed around. You gave me the power to walk out of that group home and start making my own decisions. I could have never done that without you.”
Peter looked worried. His brows turned down and his jaw tightened.
“What are you doing?” he said.
“I’m trying to explain this to you. You need to know how profoundly you have affected my life.”
“Libby, please don’t.”
“Here’s the thing. Garrett was right.” She locked eyes with him.
“What?”
“When Garrett caled me last fal and broke us up. Al the things he said were spot on.”
“Stop talking like this.” Peter tried to turn away.
“No, think about it. You have so many obligations, you are needed so many places al the time. You have music to write, people to meet, videos to tape, and concerts to perform. But equaly important is my life.”
He listened.
“I have obligations too. Granted they aren’t as glamorous as yours, but they are equaly important, to me.” She thought of DarLynn’s three little boys and knew she couldn’t walk away from them or Penny and DarLynn, who’d been so generous.
Peter’s eyes turned sad.
“I love that you want me to join you on tour. It is beyond nirvana. But if there is one thing I’ve learned these past months, it’s that I need to live my own life. I need to take the lead and make my life happen. I need to go to colege, get a great education and be able to take care of myself the rest of my life. As much as I’d love to be with you, I would only hold you back.”
“That’s not true,” he argued.
“I can’t get a colege education, chasing you al over the country and the world. You have things you need to do, and you wil do them. I have amazing things I need to do too.
“We can do them together.” He searched her eyes.
“Right now there are a handful of people back in Pebble Creek who moved heaven and earth to help me get here to be with you. And now I need to go back and help them in return. You need to go catch your plane and take care of the video. Peter, as much as we both want this. I don’t see how it can work. I can’t back down on my goals. I’ve lost too much and I can’t gamble my future.
You are the most gifted person I’ve ever known. It would be foolish to think you could walk away from the opportunities ahead of you. You’re too smart for that.
Peter released her, rested