Page 63 of Forbidden Lyrics

“Dove,” she scolds. “Answer me for real.”

“He does make me frustrated,” I counter.

“Aaaand?”

“Hmph.” I stick my lower lip out for good measure before admitting the truth, albeit grudgingly. “Yes. He makes me happy.”

“Then that’s all you can ask for. I say you go on tour. Live a little. Have fun.”

“And what about my sister’s pregnancy? She needs me.”

“Hmm. When are you supposed to leave for the tour?”

“In a month-ish? I think? Honestly, I could barely focus on the information Fender was giving at the band meeting that I might’ve missed a few details. Gibbs even sent a text, but I’ve been avoiding actually reading it.”

“Because that’s a healthy response,” she quips.

I snort. “Don’t judge. It’s complicated.”

“I get it. Trust me. Do you know how long you’ll be gone?”

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I answer. “Again, the details are a bit fuzzy. But I think it’s only for two months since the main band is already on tour, and we’re just catching up with them, but we’ll be back by the end of the summer.”

“And when is your sister due?”

“Second week in September.”

“Which means that would work, right?”

“If she went to her due date, but our family is known for having early babies. I could miss it.”

“If she starts showing signs of labor, she can call you, and you can get a plane ticket. You’ll be fine––”

“You don’t know that,” I argue, throwing my forearm over my eyes as if hiding from my problems would make them go away. If only it were that easy.

“I most definitely do,” Reese murmurs, refusing to let me wallow in my indecision any longer. “Plus, you used to always talk about how your life was relatively boring and that you wanted to live vicariously through me and all my man drama. Now, you can live it on your own.”

“Gee. Thanks.”

“I’m simply saying that you shouldn’t put your life on hold because your sister got knocked up––”

“Reese––”

“You know what I mean. And there isn’t any judgment from me or anything for her decisions, but they were still her decisions. You shouldn’t have to throw away your hopes and dreams and happiness all because of her.”

“It’s not that easy, Reese. She needs me.”

“I’m not saying you should kick her to the curb or leave her high and dry. You can be a supportive sister while still living your own dreams and making the most out of your own life, Dove.”

“You make it sound so easy,” I mumble under my breath, my gaze flicking toward the closed door again.

“All I’m saying is that you shouldn’t be tied down solely because your sister’s life got turned upside down. Think about it, okay?”

“Fine. I’ll think about it.”

“Good.”

“Say hi to River for me,” I add, even though we weren’t that close. But if he’s important to Reese, he’s important to me.

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