Page 28 of Rock and a Hard Place

“Anyway, it was horrible and I don’t live in Michigan anymore, ’cause Dad couldn’t take the pain after Mom and Sarah died. He was so depressed, he needed to leave.”

Libby couldn’t slow herself down.

“That’s when he left me at Aunt Marge’s, but she’s really screwed up and smokes and drinks all day. And I don’t know why, but my dad is gone, and I don’t know how to find him. So now I’m just trying to finish high school early so I can figure out what to do. But you need to know this because you have an amazing life and you have a real family with a mom and a dad and brothers.”

Peter sat silent, his eyes warm and caring. He took it all in as she babbled.

“So I just thought you should know I’m not like you, and that’s okay, and you can go do your thing, and I’m all right with it.” She nodded with finality. “I’m all right.”

She’d said it all, and now she didn’t know what to do. She glanced all around, but avoided beautiful, talentedPeter as long as possible. Finally, she let her eyes meet his.

Pity. She pulled back and crawled away from him. She hated it when others felt pity for her.

“Libby, wait.”

She crawled faster. Peter grabbed her leg and rolled her over in the fall leaves. He lay next to her on the ground.

“Libby, stop. It’s okay.” His eyes were a deep river of concern.

“Don’t you dare feel sorry for me. I don’t need that. I’m fine.” Her jaw set in defiance, but her watering eyes betrayed her.

“Look at me.” He held her by the shoulders.

She looked up at him, her rock, her only friend, her whole world.

“It’s okay. I don’t care about that.” He shook his head. “No, I do care about that, but it doesn’t change anything. You are who you are, and I am who I am. Nothing’s changed.” He locked eyes with hers and looked deep into her soul. “Your life sucks right now, and mine, well, it doesn’t, except that I can’t be with you all the time.”

He wouldn’t let go of her, and she felt so safe. He accepted her past.

“I wish you would have told me before. Why have you held this in?”

“I didn’t think you’d want to be with me if you knew how screwed up my life is.” Her voice began to quiver.

“Of course I want to know.” He pulled her to him and wrapped his famous, talented arms around her.

“It’s okay, Lib, I love you, I’m here for you, and I’m not going anywhere.”

His words made her feel she might survive after all. She relaxed against him. A rare breath of mourning and pain escaped, and then a single tear. Peter held her tightly, his body enveloping her in a warm embrace of love and understanding.

For the first time in many months, she cried.

*. *. *

Peter held Libby, crying in his arms. He didn’t move, afraid he might frighten her back to her stoic façade. He’d never understood before this moment what loss meant. Here, in his arms, was a girl who’d lost everything. She put on such a strong act, pretending her life was normal, when it was anything but.

But today, she opened up. After all these weeks of pretending, she lowered her guard and let him into her world. He imagined she rarely shared her story, and it explained a lot. No wonder she thought his family so perfect. How could he ever complain about them again when Libby longed for the family she lost?

Peter kissed her salty tears away. Her breath warmed his chest as he held her close. He’d known for a while he was in love with her. She never treated him like a famousrocker. It was always real with her. Libby’s confession amped up his determination to protect her and keep her safe. He didn’t care about the press or the tabloids or their age.

He’d been living the life of an adult for years, and apparently, she had too. Things were about to change.

10

Aquick week later and they were together again, cruising down the highway toward Rockville in a sporty red Jeep. “Nice wheels.” Libby ran her fingertips over the butter-soft leather seat.

“Thanks.” He grinned.

Peter pushed his hair to the side, unaware of how great he looked. He held the steering wheel casually, the seat belt snug across his narrow hips.

---