Page 10 of Rocked: The Price of Dreams

“Shit, no.” Hunter jumped to his feet, unplugged his guitar, and put it on the rack.

I stood and did the same. “Kyle, you cook, too?”

“Yeah.” Kyle placed his guitar away and wound up the cables, stashing them neatly behind the drum kit. “Mom taught me so I wouldn’t starve.”

“He makes a wicked Thai curry.” Hunter led the way up the stairs. “Better than my mom’s, and she’s a great cook.”

“Kyle, is there anything you can’t do?” I asked as he shut the basement door behind me. Emily was still sound asleep on the sofa.

“Not sure.” Kyle grinned and play punched me in the arm. “I’ll let you know if I come across something.”

Giggling, I shoved him on the shoulder. “Smartass.”

As we headed to the front door, a car pulled in beside the house.

“Shit.” Kyle rushed forward, grabbed my bag off the floor, and shoved it at me. “Go. Both of you. I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”

“Okay.” I hooked my bag over my shoulder. “Um. Thanks for today. It was—”

“Yep. Awesome,” Kyle cut me off, shoving us out the door. “We’ll talk tomorrow. Please. Just go.”

Hunter caught my hand. He tugged me across the porch, down the stairs, and over to our bicycles. “Quick, Gem. We gotta hurry.”

“Why? What’s the rush?” I picked up my mountain bike and pushed it toward the road.

Hunter had already jumped on his ride and was pedaling toward his house.

“KYLE?” A rough, booming voice roared behind me. My breath shuddered through my lungs. Kyle’s dad. “You worthless heap of shit. Where are you?”

I glanced over my shoulder. Mr. McIntyre staggered and stumbled up the steps toward the front door.

My mouth ran dry. I’d wanted to meet Kyle’s dad. Guess today wasn’t a good day.

“I’m here.” I could just hear Kyle’s shaky voice from where I stood at the front of the yard. He rushed forward and caught his father by the arm and helped him into the house. “Come on. I got you.”

“Get your puny hands off me, boy.” His father yanked free of Kyle’s grasp. But Kyle grabbed hold of his dad before he crashed into the hallway.

My heart bled as Kyle closed the door.

I wanted to rush to Kyle’s side, help him, but fear had frozen my feet to the ground.

Chapter 4

“Gemma?” Hunter whisper-yelled as he pedaled back toward me at pace. He skidded to a halt. “What’s wrong? You have to move.”

“Um...Kyle?” My gaze remained glued to the front door. “Will he be okay? Should we help him?”

“That will only make it worse. Trust me.” He flicked his head toward his house. “Please, come.” Urgency shook his voice. “If Mr. McIntyre sees us out here, we’ll get into trouble. He won’t let us play anymore.”

Shit! I didn’t want that to happen. Digging deep, I found the strength to draw myself away from Kyle’s place. I didn’t want to cause him more grief.

Side by side, Hunter and I walked our bicycles toward Hunter’s house. The loose stones crunched beneath the tires. My mind still rattled at the fear I’d heard in Kyle’s tone. “So, Hunt? Is Kyle’s dad an alcoholic?”

Hunter stared down the road, then scuffled his Converse against the road. “Does Mr. McIntyre come home like that every day? No. But when he binges—usually at the end of a long roster—he’s always like that. It started when Emily got sick. He’s got a wicked temper, so it’s best to stay away. Kyle crashes at my place when he gets bad.”

“Does...does he hurt Kyle?” Bile bubbled at the back of my throat at the very thought.

“As in, hit him?” Hunter swallowed hard. “God, I hope not. Kyle’s certainly gotten the odd bump and bruise from carrying his drunken dad into the house or to bed. But he’s never said anything else to raise alarm. I hate there is nothing I can do to help other than offer him my floor when he wants to escape for the night.”

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