Page 45 of Rock and a Hard Place

Garrett lay on the floor, his carefully styled hair a mess, and the beginnings of a fat lip growing. “He’s just a little bent out of shape that I called Libby and broke it off for him.”

“You didn’t!” His mom turned on Garrett in disbelief. “What is wrong with you!”

“I don’t know why you’re surprised. Garrett always does whatever serves him best. He’s jealous whenever I have something he doesn’t,” Peter yelled.

“Bull! Someone had to end your little-boy crush.” Garrett looked around at their parents, Adam, and Roger. “Come on, it’s not like we haven’t talked about how messed up Peter’s been ever since he started going out with her.”

Garrett stood up, his torn shirt untucked and wrinkled, a bruise beginning to form under his eye. “I’m just the one with the guts to follow through.” Garrett touched his swollen lip and flinched.

Peter couldn’t believe what he heard. “You’ve been talking about my relationship with Libby?” He pushed his hair back in frustration.

“Heck, Dad even agreed. He said the band would be better off if you lost the deadweight.”

“Garrett, that’s enough.” His father’s voice was stern, but Peter noticed his guilty eyes.

He turned to his dad. “How could you do this to us, to me?”

“Peter, calm down,” his dad ordered condescendingly. Yet he wouldn’t look him in the eye.

“No, I’m not going to calm down!” Peter yelled. “You let Garrett do this! You cut us off!” Of all the manipulative things Garrett had done over the years, this was by far the worst. His family was interfering in his life. He couldn’t believe they would turn against him. They’d crossed the line.

“This little thing with you two has gone on long enough. It’s time to get serious with your music. We have a lot coming up,” his father said.

“What do you mean it’s gone on long enough? You’re putting a timetable on my relationships?”

“It was hardly a relationship, son. You’re young. You’ll date lots of girls.”

“I don’t want lots of girls, I want Libby. And YES, it IS a relationship. She gets me. She doesn’t care about all this.”

He waved his hands around at the fancy trappings of the room. “And since when am I not serious about my music? Don’t you dare use that as an excuse! We’ve never been as good or successful as we are now.”

“That’s right, and now you boys have the chance to take this thing to the next level. You don’t need any distractions.”

“Oh, and Garrett’s booty calls after every show aren’t a distraction?” Peter accused.

His mother shot a surprised and disappointed look at Garrett. She shook her head. “We’ll deal with you later.”

“What? The ladies love me,” Garrett bragged.

“My God, Dad! Libby’s not a distraction. She’s my sanity.” He’d been happier these past couple months than ever before.

“You have your family for sanity. That’s going to have to be good enough,” his dad said, pointing a finger at him.

“Are you kidding me? This family is pushing me over the edge! I’m surrounded by you day and night.” Peter paced in the small area. “If we’re not holed up in a recording studio, we’re on that damned bus. I never get a moment to myself, a private phone conversation, or a chance to write without someone interrupting or sticking in their two cents!”

“Peter, calm down.” His mother stepped in, trying to soothe his anger.

He let out a deep sigh. “I love her, Mom.” He looked from his dad, who stepped away and rolled his eyes, and then to his mom, who offered a look of compassion.

“Honey, she isn’t what she seems.” She placed a hand on his shoulder.

“What are you talking about?” He shrugged her hand away.

“Libby’s mother has a police record,” she said.

“What?” He shook his head. “No, no! She doesn’t.”

He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Where was this coming from, and why would his mother repeat such a horrible lie?

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