Page 41 of Hidden Truths

I can’t know the fun idea until I know what the Cora plan is?

Jo

Who said fun?

If it’s not fun, I don’t want to do it. I have had enough of serious and depressing things for now.

Jo

It’s fun.

Ha! Knew it.

Jo

I have a meeting. Let me know when you talk to Cal.

“Talk to me about what?”

I gasp and clutch my phone to my chest. “You sneaky little shit.” I pull my headphones off and glare at him.

Cal throws his head back and laughs. He seems lighter, and I’m glad. That was the whole point of bringing him down here.

“I promise you, Firecracker, nothing about me is little.”

My face heats even as I try to glare. Cal just smiles in victory.

“So. What are we talking about?” he asks, patting my legs to move them so he can sit next to me. I go to sit up, but he just slides under my legs, keeping hold of them and putting them on his lap.

“The Cora plan,” I tell him, trying not to concentrate on the little circles he’s making on my legs with his thumbs.

“The Cora plan?” he asks, brows raised.

“Yeah. Jo’s working on the tour schedule. She wanted to know what the plan for Cora was during that. I told her I’d ask you.”

“Hmm,” he drums his fingers lightly against my calf. “What do you think?”

“Me?” I ask. “You’re her dad.”

Cal smiles, and that twinkle is back in his eyes. “I am, but you’re a huge part of her life too. I’d like to figure it out together.”

It takes me a minute to overcome the shock, but then I really think about it. “Can you give me an idea of what a show day is like versus a travel day?”

Cal explains all their responsibilities. Apparently, it also includes a lot of television and radio appearances too. I knew there would be a few, but not the amount he’s explaining right now.

“Can I go over the schedule with Jo and get back to you with what I think? I don’t want to make any promises without having all the information,” I tell him after mulling it over.

“That sounds fair to me,” Cal says. “Let me make you lunch.” He stands and holds his hand out to me. I take it and let him lead me upstairs.

I escape his grasp the moment we get upstairs, telling him I wanted to call Jo right away in case there’s something she needs to account for on her end if we decide to take Cora on the whole tour.

I dart up the stairs and close myself in my bathroom.

I’m about four seconds away from a panic attack by the time Jo answers her phone.

“Harry, I told you I had a meeting,” she huffs.

“Jo, I need help.” I’m close to tears, and I know she can hear it.

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