“I didn’t say it’s not important,” he retorts. “But music’s not theworld.”
“It’syourworld, and you won’t let me nearit.”
The words hang between us because that’s the crux of all ofthis.
I’m the daughter he keeps at a distance, the one he shuts out from part of his life when he lets other people like Tyler intoit.
“You don’t get to decide this, Dad. I’ve already made my choice. If you won’t give me permission, I’ll stop showing up tocalculus.”
“Do that and you'regrounded."
I scoff. “You don’t know what thatmeans.”
“I’ll figure it out. And so help me, you won’t leave the house except to go to school for the rest of thesemester.”
I yank the door open and start into thehall.
"Where are you going?" Dad growls at myback.
“If I’m going to be grounded next week, I’ll enjoy my freedom while Ican.”
7
“Can you believe the chicks?”Brandon goads me. “It’s like abuffet.”
I tune my guitar on the little box stage and survey the living room of the frat house packed with bodies. “We’re here toplay.”
“Yeah, we are.” The wicked inflection in his voice lets me know exactly what kind of playing he has inmind.
Brandon’s a good guy. Sure, he’s loaded and a little entitled, but he’s a straightshooter.
I don’t count on him to have my back, but then, I’ve learned that’s an unrealistic expectation to have ofanyone.
Trisha comes up on stage. She shifts close enough I smell perfume and plants a flirty kiss that tastes like beer on me before I can dodge it. “Thank you for doingthis.”
“Sure.” I don’t say she’s paying me, though it’strue.
She bounces away, and I turn to adjust myamp.
“So, that’s how you do it.” Brandon looks impressed. “You really don’t give afuck.”
There’s a short list of things I care about, and girls aren’t on it. I would never disrespect them, and I would never pretend to care when I don’t, which is why I’ve been candid with Trisha about what weare.
She helps me out with what I need. It’s atransaction.
A couple times, things went further when my head was messedup.
But that was a mistake, and I told her asmuch.
We’re getting ready to start when my phone jumps in my pocket. Brandon sends me a WTF look, but I shake him off when I see thenumber.
I duck out into the hallway and hitAccept.
“My dad is an autocrat.” Annie’s incredulous voice has my brows lifting. “I did what you suggested, and he lost hisshit.”
Warning bells go off in my head. “What did Isuggest?”
“To do whatever it takes to be good. I told him I’m dropping calculus to focus on the musical, and he freakedout.”