Page 40 of Rock and a Hard Place

“You are so full of yourself,” she teased.

He grinned at the sarcasm in her voice. “So, what are you up to today?” The beach became more crowded by the minute. He’d have to return soon.

“When I get back, there’s a research paper waiting.

That should fill the rest of the day,” Libby said.

“What a drag. How about Cruella De Vil? Has she been hassling you?”

“Nah, she’s been out in the barn all weekend. I don’t know what she’s doing out there. She says she’s making soap, but I’ve never seen any, and trust me, she could use more soap.”

“Well, anything that keeps her away from you makes me happy.”

“What are you doing today, besides hanging out at the beach in the warm sun and making me jealous?”

Three little boys dashed in front of him toward the water. Peter dodged them. “Garrett’s got phone interviews set for most of the day. With Dad on the mend, Garrett’s decided he needs to be king of the mountain and run my life. I’m just about ready to take him out. He’s been riding me every minute. Suddenly, he thinks that if we miss even one opportunity for an interview or appearance, our careers will end up in the toilet.”

“Sounds like he’s just looking out for the band,” Libby said.

“No, Garrett only looks out for himself. I think it’s all about having control. He’s power hungry and loves to run my life.”

“He can’t be that bad.”

“You have no idea. He can be a real asshole when he wants.”

Peter talked to Libby until time ran out and he needed to rush back and shower. A day of marathon phone interviews lay ahead. The only good part was that he and his brothers didn’t have to go anywhere. The interviews would be done from the beach house.

Garrett waited for him on the deck when he returned. “You’re late,” Garrett growled. “You can’t tell me you were out running all that time. You sitting in a coffee shop talking to Libby again?”

“None of your business. I don’t have to tell you anything. And ya know what? You need to relax. You should go work out and try to get that stick out of your ass. It might help improve your glowing personality.”

“And you need to dump your dead weight in Wisconsin,” Garrett said as Peter pushed past.

Libby was surprised a week later when her phone rang while she was waiting for the bus. When she saw Peter’s name pop up on the screen, she smiled and answered.

“Hey! I didn’t expect to hear from you until tonight.”

She walked around the side of the house so Aunt Marge wouldn’t see her with the phone.

“This isn’t Peter,” responded a flat voice.

“Who is this?”

“It’s Garrett. Peter’s brother,” he snapped.

“Oh. What’s up? Where’s Peter?” She didn’t like the intimidating tone in Garrett’s voice. Something was wrong.

“Well, that’s just it. He asked me to call you.”

Libby’s heart dropped. “Is he okay?”

“He’s fine. I mean, nothing happened to him or anything.”

“So, what’s going on?” She walked behind the farmhouse where she could talk louder.

“Listen, I’m gonna say this straight out.” He cleared his throat. “Peter didn’t know how to tell you this, and he didn’t want you to go all psycho or anything, so he asked me to do it.”

Her stomach hurt. Peter could tell her anything. They were so close and talked about everything. Libby’s mind flashed from one tragic thought to the next.

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