Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 103008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
“Basic.”
“It kills me knowing he can see everything and understand everything but he’s stuck in those four walls day in and day out without anything to do. It’s not like he can talk to the nurses to tell them if anything is wrong. He gets frustrated.”
“I can see how that’d be frustrating.”
“I want to do more for him. At least try to come see him more or something. The guilt eats at me.”
“You can bring me up here anytime you want to see your dad. Even if I stay in the car and write.”
My heart fills with more affection for Harley. “You’d do that for me?”
“I’d do a whole lot more if you’d let me, but I get the feeling that would be too much.” Our dynamic is flipped when Harley reaches for me. He cups my face. “I will do anything for you. Just like you want to protect me, I want to give you everything you need.”
I could ask for so many things right now, but I won’t. I won’t use him that way.
“I don’t want you to ever think I’m only with you because of what you can do for me.”
“I don’t. I won’t.”
“There’ll be no chance of doubt this way. But I will take you up on the offer to come up here with me. And … and I want you to come in.”
“R-really?” Hesitation etches its way onto Harley’s face. “I mean, uh … meeting the parents.” He whistles. “Big step. That’s like relationship stuff.”
I press my mouth to his in a soft, chaste kiss. “Good thing we’re in a relationship, then, am I right?”
Harley looks worried.
“Uh, right?” I press.
He hesitates. “I don’t know if I’ll be any good at it. I’m known to be a bit of a selfish boyfriend, you know. If my ex is anything to go by.”
“You? A famous pop star is selfish? Call the tabloids about this revelation.”
Harley shoves me. “You know what I mean.”
“I do, but I’m new to this too. I’ve never been in one place long enough to have a relationship, and with Mike Bravo … well, you saw Iris when his girl broke up with him. None of us are really relationship material.”
“What if I’m too much?”
I want to take him in my arms and squeeze him so hard he believes me when I say, “I know being with you means the majority of my time will be spent dealing with your life. It’s inescapable. But, Harley? Since working for you, I’ve realized I was born to be in the background. To be a protector. I was trained to stand in the darkness so the spotlight can shine on you.”
“What if I want you next to me?”
I slink back into my seat. “You and I both know that can’t happen while you’re still recording and making music.”
“What if I get out of my contract with the label and come out?”
I shake my head. “Won’t change anything. If it became public that you and I were together, I’d become famous in my own right, and there’s no way I could protect you if they’re all trying to get to me too.”
“I don’t want you to ever think that I want to hide you. That’s been a problem for me before.”
“Never. It’s the business you’re in. Hell, for a long time, before I started working for Trav, I was in the same boat. Maybe not exactly, but close.”
Harley glances out the windshield and back to me again. “I want to meet your dad.”
My breath gets caught in my throat. “Then let’s go.” It comes out more of a nervous bumble than confident, and Harley picks up on that.
“But if you’re not okay with it—”
“I am. I just … I don’t know if I can tell him how close we really are?”
I hate the look of understanding on Harley’s face because I wish I could give him this one thing. My dad is someone he could tell his secret to because there’s no way he could tell it to anyone else.
“It’s okay,” Harley reassures me. “We can go in there and you can tell him I’m your assignment.”
“Thank you. Umm …” I hand Harley sunglasses and a cap. “The nurses will recognize you, and I don’t want another leak like at the hotel.”
Harley puts the hat on and slides the glasses onto his face. “Can’t even meet your dad the right way.”
Even with the knowledge that Harley’s cool not coming out to my dad, I’m still uneasy as we enter the building.
I don’t like lying to my dad, but between that and risking his health, I’m okay with keeping my mouth shut.
We reach Dad’s room, hopefully without Harley being recognized. After the elevator with the guy we suspect tipped off the tabloids, I can’t be sure.
Dad’s face lights up in the only way it can—his lips quirking on one side.