Page 63 of Rock and a Hard Place

After her shift ended, Libby returned to the motel with a box of cupcakes tucked under her arm. She all but floated down the street thinking of her newfound independence.

Now she was free to start college in the fall. She couldn’t wait to get there. It was her lifelong dream. Between all the money she’d saved since landing in Pebble Creek, and the financial aid package Jerrold helped her apply for, no more obstacles stood in her way. She could do anything she wanted. Heck, she might even get her driver’s license.

After all this time, she would finally be able to get her own email address instead of funneling everything through her lawyer. Jerrod had been steadfast at keeping her unreachable from the authorities.

She entered the Twilight office and hollered out to the boys. Their sweet little heads popped around the counter. “Look what I’ve got.” She opened the box to reveal five yummy cupcakes.

“Are those for us?”

Their lovable little faces warmed her heart. “Sure are.

One for everybody.” She smiled at her little buddies.

“Mom, too?” Jimmy Jr. asked.

“Absolutely. You want to pick one for her?” She held the box out while he carefully selected a pink cupcake with a flower on top. “Good choice.” Libby ruffled his hair.

“Hey, Mom, look what Jill brought us.” Damien ran around the front counter to the living quarters where DarLynn folded laundry. After one look at Libby, DarLynn bit her lip. She wore an odd expression.

“Is something wrong?”

DarLynn examined Libby as if she’d never seen her before. “Jill, where did you live before you came here?”

“Why do you ask?” She evaded the question, eventhough she no longer needed to hide her past, thanks to Jerrold. Libby couldn’t imagine why, after all these months, DarLynn would ask about her background. DarLynn had accepted Libby at face value, and they’d been great friends.

“You know how I like to watch all the entertainment shows.” DarLynn pulled out a tiny hoodie from the laundry basket and attempted to straighten it. “Well, today there was a special interview with that big rock group, Jamieson.”

Libby stopped in her tracks. She had tried not to think about Peter too much. It was difficult, because she’d often come across Jamieson in magazines DarLynn subscribed to. Peter was her secret love; she’d never forget him. Whenever she became scared or lonely, she allowed herself to linger over each moment they shared and savor their magical time. Sometimes she got carried away and daydreamed they were still together, planning their futures. But those thoughts wouldn’t help her move on with life. Peter was best left in the recesses of her mind.

“Oh.” She set the cupcakes on the table. She wanted to hear what DarLynn had to say, but also wanted to keep her memories of Peter private. Libby faced her friend, whose eyes scrutinized her.

“Yeah, it was really interesting. They have a new album out. They’re doing a concert tour, but it’s different than anything they’ve ever done before.” DarLynn’s voice sounded strained.

“That’s nice, what are they doing?” Libby tried not tocare. Learning too much about Peter’s life would only make her heartsick for him all over again. She worked hard to push away all the loss in her life and move forward.

“They’re looking for a girl.” DarLynn twisted the tiny shirt.

A stab of pain hit Libby in the heart. “Oh, what for? Their next video?” She gazed out the window and hated the idea of some strange girl in a video with Peter.

“No, actually, it’s a girl one of the brothers used to date.”

Libby’s head snapped up. DarLynn’s eyes blazed. Libby’s mouth went dry. She didn’t know what to say, so she returned her attention to staring out the window.

“In fact, they showed a couple pictures of her.” DarLynn stepped closer.

Libby’s gaze swung to the darkened television. Her heart felt heavy as she fought back emotions. Part of her worried about discovery, but then again, why would Peter want to find her? She was insignificant in the world of a rock band. This must be a promo to sell more records. It hurt to even hope.

“I recorded it and just got a chance to watch it.” DarLynn picked up the remote and clicked on the television.

A couple more clicks, and DarLynn brought up the program. Peter appeared frozen on the screen, where DarLynn had paused the show. She hit play, and Peter’s voice filled the room. The sight of him tugged at Libby’s heart. He still wore the pendant she gave him. She’d forgotten howhandsome he looked. He explained that he and his brothers dedicated this tour to finding a girl he fell in love with and lost.

She moved toward the television, unaware of everything around her. She knelt before the screen and watched Peter explain his futile efforts to find this girl. A photo of Libby and Peter sitting on the giant rock at Parfrey’s Glen flashed on the screen. She caught her breath. She remembered the moment clearly. It took place when Peter almost kissed her, but Adam interrupted. She smiled at the memory, reached up, and touched the screen with her fingertips.

DarLynn paused the image of Libby and Peter, their dreamy expressions focused on each other. Libby remembered every essence of Peter: the way his hair lay heavy across his brow, the deep color of his blue eyes, and the tilt of his mouth. Lost in thought, a few moments passed before DarLynn’s words brought her back to reality.

“He says the girl’s name is Libby.” Kindness shone in DarLynn’s eyes. “That girl in the picture is you.”

The veil of secrecy lifted. Libby nodded to DarLynn as tears welled in her eyes.

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