Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27790 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27790 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
“I’ve been involved with Tobias for a few weeks.”
Dad’s head whips between us and I swear if a head could explode, his would. But he’s staring at me like this is all new information, and now, I’m confused.
“I care deeply for your daughter, Brock,” Tobias says from the other side of the room. “I never meant to hurt you.” He stares at me. “Either of you.” And then he walks out the door.
My father and I blink at each other.
Confusion builds.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
“He took a job with Halo Records.”
It’s been three weeks since Tobias left. Three excruciating weeks of trying to make sense of everything. Was he really just a playboy who used me for his own gains?
My mind can’t come up with any other possibility.
I thought he cared for me, but I was stupid to think that.
How could I have been so silly?
I didn’t even realize Halo offered him a job, but of course, they did. They probably swooped in with a bigger and better job as soon as they caught wind Daddy was offering him one. And Tobias accepted theirs. And then he left. Like, cleared out his stuff and flew away before I got home. That stung the most. No goodbye. No explanation.
I’m a horrible spy. What a joke I tried to hate him. Instead of uncovering if he was a mole, or a bad guy, all I figured out is that he’s a fabulous kisser and a fantastic lover. I fell for him and he flew away with my heart, without looking back.
The door buzzer sounds as a tear trickles down my check. I toss my journal aside and pull myself from the comfort of my couch. I open the door to find my father with a frown on his face.
“Can we talk?” he asks.
“I think we should.” I’ve been avoiding my father the past few weeks. I’ve been avoiding everyone, if I’m being honest.
We move into the living room, and I plop down on the couch, hugging a yellow throw pillow close to my chest. “What’s up?”
“I get you’re upset about Tobias, and I’m not here to make you feel better about him. Those city boys are a different breed. They don’t value family and honor. They don’t understand loyalty.”
I pick at the stitching on the pillow. “I guess.” I thought Tobias did care about those things, but I was so wrong.
Silly me.
“I wanted to talk to you about the company.”
It's now or never. I can’t hide from this any longer. “I wanted to talk to you too, Daddy. I don’t want to run your company. I understand it’s your dream, but I just don’t want it.” That was easier to say than I thought it would be.
His laughter is not the response I expected. “I kind of figured you didn’t. Besides, you’re not very good at it.”
With pretend shock, I gasp at his statement. But truer words were never spoken. I suck at it.
And I can’t believe he’s not angry. Or yelling. Or throwing things.
We should have had this discussion ages ago.
“Seriously, you’re not. I think it’s why I sought out Tobias. I thought if he took my offer, I could one day turn the company over to him.” My father removes his cowboy hat from his head.
“I’m sorry it didn’t work out,” I tell him, meaning it in so many ways.
He sits beside me, and I tell him about the open mic nights. I explain to my father about how I’ve been writing songs for over two years now. How every Friday night I’ve been singing those songs for a small crowd.
He listens. He absorbs what I’m saying to him.
“So, you want to be a singer?”
I shake my head. “No. I’d rather stay behind the scenes and write songs.”
My father pats my knee. “There’s nothing wrong with that. I wish you would have told me sooner.”
“I’m singing some of my songs tonight. Would you like to come?” I’m nervous as I wait for his answer.
My father smiles, holding his Stetson in his hands. “Yeah. I would like that.”
We should talk about Tobias. I should tell him how I really felt about him. How angry I am, but I keep it bottled inside instead. I’m sure my father knows how upset I am about him leaving. It’s so clearly written all over my face.
There’s another knock at my door, and I get up from the couch to answer it. It’s Callie. She’s all dressed up in a light-blue sundress and tan cowboy boots. Her hair is pulled to one side, and I’m happy to see her.
“Are you ready to sing your heart out tonight?” she says, with a bright smile on her face.
Dad stands. “Hi, Callie,” he says in a deep voice.
“Mr. Lancaster, hello.”
My father puts his hat on his head. “Text me the details and I’ll be there. See you girls later.”