Page 23 of Shock to the Heart

"Hey," he says, "can you sneak away from your dad to do a Marty McGee job on Thursday? I could really use the extra help."

Before I can even open my mouth, Dad steps out from the space between Dean's truck and the passenger side of my van. What the – was he peering in the windows? His eyes are wide and he is definitely pissed off.

"You've been picking up extra jobs? You told me that you were working on the recording studio all weekend."

"I was." Glancing around, there's a small cluster of people in front of the grocery store. "Lower your voice, Dad."

"Why? So that the whole town doesn't find out my own son is betraying me?"

"Dad, don't be so dramatic."

Dean cringes away, mouthing and miming, "Sorry. Call me?" as he gets into his truck.

Dad turns to me, his jaw tight. "You were supposed to replace one outlet in that recording studio. Then you said the wall needed fixing and it took you most of the weekend. Was that all a lie to cover some other job?"

"No, not at all. Once I got in there I?—"

"What recording studio? Was it ours? Pretty sure we've got the only one in town." The loud voice makes me jump, and I spin to see the auburn-haired woman whose home I was in all weekend marching toward me as the other people drift away.

Of course I've seen photos of CC and Ryl before, but it's interesting to see the reality behind the perfect lighting. Her eyes are striking, and his are wide. No wonder Electra's eyes ended up so magical.

But at the moment, there is no trace of the publicity-seeking musicians, just two curious, and possibly irritated, parents.

"Hey, Ray," Ryl says casually as they come right over. "Did something happen at the studio?"

"It's all handled," Dad says, with his trademark calm smile designed to put clients at ease. "Your daughter said that an outlet was shorting, and my son fixed it."

Before any panic can set in, I add, "None of your equipment was harmed."

Ryl glances between me and Dad. "What happened, exactly?"

Dad gives me a nod, so I explain. "An outlet shorted, then was smoking. Turned out the ground was shot."

CC looks nervous. "Why?"

"The ground itself was loose – possibly from heavy gear being smacked into it over the years. But I noticed the wall was chilly, and when I got into it there was water damage from above. I replaced the lines, fixed the drywall, and it's good as new."

Ryl glares at his wife. "I told you that you were going to destroy the house with all the water you slosh around. It was a lot more than you said, wasn't it? I swear, if you fall asleep in that goddamn tub again?—"

"Whatever." She waves him off, her eyes narrowing at me. "What I want to know is, how did Electra even notice this? She's never in the studio unless we drag her in there." She's staring at me so hard I actually feel myself shifting my weight, trying to back up.

I shrug. "I… I don't know." Damn, she won't stop staring. "Wait – I think she mentioned she maybe went in looking for something? Anyway, everything is fine now."

CC's eyes narrow on me even more. "There's something you're not telling us."

Ryl tries to pull his wife away. "Honey, there's no reason to?—"

"He's after Electra!" she screeches. Her voice is so shrill that everyone around us stops in their tracks to stare.

Ray shoots them both a look. "What do you mean, after? Are you implying that my son would?—"

"Knock it off, all of you." Everyone jumps at the commanding tone in my voice, but I've had enough.

I have about ten seconds to decide. Do I tell them right now that I'm in love with their daughter and that we're together? Or do I play it cool and leave that decision to Electra?

The worst thing in the world would be for my sweet girl to think that I'm ashamed of her and want to hide us. I get that she's very private, but the reality is, our families are going to find out.

Most of all, I will not have this overly dramatic woman thinking that I was taking advantage of their daughter, and that Electra is a weak little princess that needs saving.

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