My eyes widen. “To who?”
“Other buskers. There are people who have families. They need it more than me.”
Something hot swells in my chest. I think it’s admiration. “Wow. I had no idea.”
“Nobody does, so keep it on the down low, okay?”
“Right. Your whole secret life.” I meet her eyes. “Why do you keep it secret?”
“Vince would hate it. It would embarrass him.” She sighs. “At one time I enjoyed pissing him off, but that’s not what this is about. I just wanted a way to make music, to play and sing for people that’s no pressure, no commitment. I’d tell Cat, but it’s not fair to ask her to keep a secret, so I haven’t. Yet.”
“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”
She searches my eyes, then says, “I know.”
I tilt my head. “How do you know?”
“I have no idea.” She pushes her lips out briefly. “But I feel I can trust you.”
That heat in my chest intensifies. “That means a lot to me.”
She nods slowly, our gazes locked.
“So what about the trip?” I ask.
“I’ll talk to Cat. See how that goes. The last thing I’d want to do is trigger her anxiety again.”
I nod. “I get that.”
She loves her sister. I admire that, too. I’m starting to admire a lot of things about her.
* * *
EMERIE
* * *
“I need to talk to you, Vince.”
Vince stops at the door of his home office. “What is it?”
“I’m thinking of going on vacation for a week.”
Vince’s brows knight. “A vacation?”
“Yes. With some friends.”
“With Cooke?”
I lift my chin. “Yes.”
His eyes narrow. “Jesus Christ.”
“What is wrong with that?” I demand impatiently.
“What about Roman?”
I fight back my frustration, rising in me like it’s being pumped in with a tire pump. “I’ve told you, Roman and I are over.”
His jaw clenches. “I think that’s a mistake.”
“I don’t love him, Vince. I can’t make myself.”
“Marriages aren’t always about love.”
“What?” I stare. “Then what are they about?”
He averts his gaze. “If you go on this vacation with Cooke, there could be consequences.”
My jaw loosens. “Like what?”
His mouth firms, his gaze flinty. “Use your imagination.”
“What does that mean?” I curl my fingers into my palms, heat rising from my chest into my face. “Are you threatening me? If you are, just come right out and say it.”
“It’s not a threat. It’s a promise.” He walks into his office and closes the door with a sharp click.
For a moment, I can’t move. My mind races, thoughts tumbling over each other. What does he mean? What would he do? Good lord.
Then I rush to his door and knock smartly. I open the door without waiting for an invitation, step inside, and close it.
“I don’t care what you do to me,” I say in a terse tone. “But promise me you won’t take out your anger at me on Cat.”
He frowns. “I would never do anything to hurt her.”
“Or Owen,” I add, holding his gaze fiercely. “Promise me.”
He stares at me. And says nothing. For a moment, his face takes on an expression that looks…hopeless. He rubs his forehead. “I wish you wouldn’t do this, Emerie.”
I stare at him. Then I whirl out of his office and stalk into my bedroom, shutting the door. Goddamn him.
Later, I talk to Klara. I talk to the mom of one of Cat’s classmates who agrees to take Cat to her swimming lesson since they’re both in the same class. And I talk to Cat.
She’s in bed, reading. I love that she enjoys reading. I cross to her bed and sit on the edge. “What’s the book?”
She shows me the cover—some fantasy story, I guess, the dragon on the front covered in glittery scales.
“Is it good?”
“So good!”
I smile. “Listen, Kit Cat. I’m thinking about going on a holiday for a week, with some friends.”
“With Owen?” She asks the same question as Vince.
“Yes, and some others. They’re going to Aruba because they have a break in the hockey schedule.”
“Right.”
I tell her my tentative plans for her while I’m gone. “And Dad would be here too, of course, if you needed anything.”
“I’ll be fine.”
I study her face, then let out a breath. Okay, good. She’s not upset. On the other hand…I admit I’m a tiny bit let down that it doesn’t seem she’ll even miss me.
“I wish I could go with you!”
My heart softens. “Ah, me too! But we could go on a trip, just us, sometime. Maybe spring break.”
“Yes!”
I reach out and stroke her hair. “I’ll miss you.”
“When are you going?”
“I haven’t decided for sure if I’m going. I wanted to talk to you first.”
“You should go! It’ll be fun. You never have any fun.”
Oh, she’s noticed that, too, huh? Damn. “The trip is next week. We’d leave Thursday.”
She nods. “Okay.”
“You have to behave while I’m gone.”
She laughs. “I always behave.”
“You do.” Now. Thankfully. “I love you.”
“Love you, too.”
I hug her and stand. “Lights out in ten minutes.”
She rolls her eyes. She still doesn’t like bedtime.
Okay. I have a plan. Cat seems okay with it all. I’m still fuming about Roman showing for dinner the other night. I wanted to go on this trip because I’m enticed by the idea of a holiday with a bunch of friends. I’m also enticed by the idea of a holiday with Owen. I’m starting to really like him. But now…I’m going to do this because I’m going to damn well show Roman and Vince that they can’t manipulate me.
12
Owen
I can’t believe we’re doing this.
We’re at JFK about to board an Airbus to Queen Beatrix International Airport.
I’m actually taking a holiday. I won’t be able to skate for a week. I might be able to work out in the gym at the resort, but I won’t be able to eat my usual healthy diet or study hockey for hours. I’m a little stressed about that, to be honest. It’s hard enough getting back to playing after a short break. There’s a debate between “rested” and “rusty,” and I’ve always found time off makes me rusty. This year our break is extra long, and I don’t like it. It’s going to interfere with my focus.
It’s making me tense when everyone else is all relaxed and carefree.
On the plane, I catch Emerie gazing out the small window, her lips drooping. Shit…is that a tear shining on her eyelashes?