Chapter 10
B o took the blame for me. He acted like his dad’s opinion didn’t matter, but I saw the glint of hurt in his eyes.
“I’m disappointed in you for disobeying me,” my dad says, and I refocus on him, but I wish I could be with Bo. “But I don’t want you to be afraid of me, baby.”
“I’m not afraid,” I deny. But being on the receiving end of his displeasure, I start shaking even harder. Frustrated tears slip from my eyes. I’m weak. How can I help Bo when I can’t even summon the strength to stand up for myself?
“Not like you to act out like this.” Dad frames my face in his large hands, gently swiping away the wetness from my cheeks while searching my gaze.
“You said you love me.” I take a step back. “In my Christmas card.”
“I do love you.” His hands drop to his sides, his brow creasing. “I should say it more often, but the rules about my studio are there for a reason.”
“We didn’t touch anything.” I don’t truly believe it’s his equipment he’s worried about. I think he just wants to keep the rock star aspect of his life separate from his family.
“Whether you did or didn’t isn’t the point.” He cocks his head when I give him a hard look. “You don’t agree?”
“No, I don’t.” I try, but I can’t keep the hardness in place long. I need more practice pretending that disappointing him doesn’t crush me. Lowering my head, I mumble another apology.
“You’re grounded,” he snaps, and I flinch. “Other than mealtimes, while our company is here, you’re confined to your room.”
“Okay.” I keep my gaze on my bare feet. I don’t want him to know that being confined to my room isn’t really a punishment at all.
“And no reading for a week,” he adds and my heart sinks.
“No, Daddy.” My head snaps up. “Please.”
“Sorry, Peace.” His expression softens. “It isn’t the rule that you broke so much. You could have asked to listen to the band, and I probably would have said yes. But you didn’t ask. Instead, you willfully disobeyed me.”
“Please don’t take away my books,” I beg.
“A week. No reading,” he says firmly before delivering the final blow. “And no more hanging out with Bo outside of mealtimes.”
“He loves you best,” I tell Harmony after dinner, a dinner where Bo held my hand under the table where our dads couldn’t see, but he didn’t say anything. His defiance is muted. I wonder what his dad said to him.
“That’s not true.” Harmony drops down on the end of my bed beside me. It’s past bedtime. I’m breaking another rule, but I don’t care.
Hugging my favorite READING ROCKS pillow to my chest doesn’t make my heart hurt any less. My dad bought the pillow, and I thought his Christmas gift and the card meant he loved and understood me. Now I just don’t know. Doesn’t he realize what Bo and my books mean to me?
“He wouldn’t have yelled at you for being in his studio,” I point out.
“Did he yell at you?” Harmony’s eyes grow large.
“Not really,” I admit and shrug. “But he was really mad.”
“Mr. Jackson took away Bo’s earphones.” Harmony winces.
“I didn’t know that.” I frown. Seems like his dad was as tough on him as mine was on me.
“Bo’s pretty mad.” Harmony nods somberly.
“You talked to Bo?” I ask.
“Yeah.” Harmony smooths her hands over her designer-jeans-clad thighs. “After dinner, he asked me to check on you.”
“You were in his room?” I tilt her head. “Before mine?”
She nods to confirm.
“I wondered where you were.” I went to her room, wanting to talk to her, but she wasn’t there.
“Bo likes you, you know?” Harmony’s eyes narrow.
“I like him too.” Knowing Bo is still my friend even after we got in trouble, I sit up a little straighter.
“More than just as a friend, I think.” Harmony’s lips purse as if that’s distasteful to her. It’s not at all to me. She huffs out a breath. “He’s always seeking you out. And I saw him holding your hand under the table at dinner.”
“He knows Dad upset me.” My cheeks warm. “And he probably wants me to finish reading the Boxcar story to him.”
“Why doesn’t he just read it himself?” Harmony asks.
I look away, pressing my lips together. I don’t keep many secrets from my sister, but this one isn’t mine to tell.
“You know something,” Harmony says, and I glance back at her furrowed brow. “But you’re not gonna tell me.”
“I can’t.” I reach for her hands. “Please understand. I love you, but it’s not my secret.”
“Okay,” Harmony says after a beat of consideration. “But you won’t keep anything else from me, will you?”
“I’ll always share my secrets with you,” I vow and draw an X across her heart. “You’re my best friend in the whole world.” But maybe, just maybe, I might have one more.