Chapter 31
“ I ’m sorry,” I spit out the apology in front of everyone through my gritted teeth. It’s the same apology I gave to Mark the douchebag’s friends and their parents. It seemed to appease them. They’re gone. But I didn’t mean any of it. Mark and his asshole friends hurt Peace. They’re the bad guys in this instance, not me.
“And.” My dad squeezes my arm hard.
“I’m sorry I lost my temper.” I continue with the bullshit charade. “Sorry you got hurt.” I can’t keep the glare from my eyes as I look at Mark and his father. But whatever. “It won’t happen again.” Finished, my eyes meet War’s. He’s leaning against a pillar by the kitchen. His stance appears casual, but he’s totally zeroed in on the situation, any situation apparently that involves his daughter.
“Those are just words.” Mark’s dad is in his cop uniform. Tucking his thumbs into his utility belt, he turns his gaze to his son. “Words don’t change a thing. But it’s your call, son.”
“I accept his apology.” Mark’s mouth coils into a fake as shit grin. “But only if Bo leaves Seattle for good.”
“Done,” Dad agrees for me and far too quickly.
“Don’t want your word.” Mark looks at me. “I want his.”
“You got it.” I say what he wants to hear. This is all bullshit. I don’t really know why the prick would put any stock in a promise from me. The only ones I make a point to keep are the ones that ensure Peace is happy and safe.
“Right. Well, that’s good enough for me.” Mark turns to his dad. “Let’s go. He’s not worth any more of our time.”
“If I ever see you in my town again…” Mark’s dad steps forward with his hand on his service weapon, apparently trying to intimidate me. The son is just like the father. “You won’t get any leniency. You understand me, boy?”
I nod. I understand that he’s a bully with the power of a badge behind him.
“I’ll show you out.” War pushes away from the column and saunters toward the hall that leads to the foyer. Mark and his dad follow the lead singer.
“You got lucky, Bo.” Bryan whistles under his breath. “Thankfully.”
“Like you care.” I curl my fingers into fists at my sides.
“Bo,” Mom says softly. “Please don’t get into any more trouble. Your dad and I?—”
“You want me out of your hair. I get it. I’ll be gone shortly. I already booked my return ticket.” I brandish my phone. “I just need to say goodbye to Peace first.”
“I would have gotten you a flight.” Dad’s jaw is as tight as my sphincter is whenever I’m around him.
“I don’t want anything from you, old man.” My voice cracks on that lie. I want him to accept me, but tonight, I finally accepted he never will.
“I thought you might want to stay a few more days. See your grandmother.” His eyes, which are a mirror image of mine, soften. “You could visit your aunt Miriam.”
“I saw Miriam earlier, but let’s cut through all the bullshit.” My brows crash together. “You don’t want me around. You don’t give a shit about me. You never have and you never will. And guess what, I don’t give a shit about you either.”
My mom draws in a shocked breath.
“Just keeping it real, Mom.” I lash out at both of them. I can’t let them hurt me. “I’ll pass my classes. I’ll graduate. Then I’m out of your life for good.”
“Bry,” Mom sobs. “Say something.” She sends my old man a pleading glance.
“What can I say, babe?” He shakes his head, clueless as always.
“Right.” I nod tightly. “I’m out of here after I say goodbye to the only person who really cares about me.”
Peace
After talking to Harmony and making sure she’s still planning to break up with Mark later, I leave her room. I’m about to text Bo to find out what happened downstairs, but my mom calls me.
“Yeah?” I turn around.
“Can you come talk to me in my room for a moment?” she asks from her doorway.
“Sure.” I cross the hall and walk into her room.
She closes the door and gestures. “Have a seat.” She has a very serious look on her face that makes me tense.
I perch on the edge of her bed and rub my sweaty palms on my jeans.
“Harmony told me Mark was bullying you at school.”
I drop my chin. Freak. Owl. Loser. The hurtful words clang inside my head.
“She said that’s why Bo beat Mark up.”
I keep my head down and stay quiet. I don’t know exactly what Bo has said. With the police being involved, I don’t want to say the wrong thing.
“If you were having trouble at school”—Mom kneels down on the floor in front of me—“you should have told me, your dad, or at least your sister.”
“It’s okay,” I whisper, dropping my chin to my chest. “It’s not a big deal.”
“I don’t believe you.” She touches my knee. “You used to like school. Your grades have been suffering. You’re withdrawn. I’m worried about you.”
“Harmony shouldn’t have said anything,” I grumble and lift my head to look at her.
“She did the right thing.” A crease mars my mom’s brow. “Your dad and I love you, Peace. We just want you to be happy.”
“Bo makes me happy.”
“Safe and happy.” The crease between her peridot eyes deepens.
I press my lips into a flat line. She doesn’t realize that when I’m with Bo I am both of those things.
“Your dad and I had a discussion tonight,” she informs me. “We came to a decision.”
“What decision?” I ask, a chill sliding down my spine.
“Tempest is going on tour this summer,” she informs me. “And I’ll be away on location. Harmony will be with me.”
“And where will I be?” My stomach twists. I don’t want to be home alone, and I don’t want to think about being at school without Harmony.
“You’re going to stay with your grandparents,” she replies.
“But they live in LA.” My eyes grow wide. “I don’t know anyone there.”
“I know it’s a big change.” She places both hands on my knees. “But your uncle Alex will be around too. He’s filming locally. He wants you to stay with him on weekends.”
I like my uncle. “But where will I go to school?” I ask.
“We were thinking it would be best for you to be homeschooled. At least temporarily.”
“Because I embarrass you.” Tears flood my eyes, her expression wavering in the deluge.
“No, honey.” She gathers my hands in hers. “I love you and just want to protect you.”
“Because you think I can’t handle myself,” I mutter. “No one is offering to ship Harmony off anywhere.”
“She’ll have a tutor while we’re filming. It won’t be much different for her.”
“I’ll do it. I’ll go to LA,” I agree. What choice do I really have? “But only if I can stay with Uncle Alex.” He knows I like my alone time. He’s not Bo, but he gets that I’m different, and he won’t try to change me. “If he’s busy filming, that’s okay. Mike will be there.” Mike might be Harmony’s favorite, but I love him too.
She gives that some consideration. “Okay, I guess.”
“Can I come home after you and Daddy get back?” I ask softly and hold my breath.
“Of course.” She nods.
I let out a relieved breath.
Her brow furrows. “I thought you liked your uncle Alex.”
“I do,” I confirm. I love Alex. But what if once I’m gone, my parents decide like Bo’s did that I’m too much trouble and it’s easier not having me around?