Page 100 of Fame & Rhythm

“Where have you been? We’ve been waiting,” he says.

I glance at Mum. “She was with me, babe. Just having some girl time,” Mum says easily.

I hug her quickly before stepping back.

“Well, break time ended fifteen minutes ago. Let’s go,” Dad says, already turning.

I head toward the hallway, but Mum stops him.

“Babe, can I have a quick word?”

I glance back, and she winks.

Oh… this is going to be interesting.

I slip out into the hallway but don’t go far, just lean against the wall, listening.

“What is it, Dee? I need to get them ready for the next gig,” Dad says, all business.

“Colt, relax,” Mum replies calmly. “They’re doing great. Pushing them harder won’t help. It’ll just stress them out.”

There’s a pause.

“Yeah… I know,” Dad exhales. “I just want this for them. They deserve it.”

“Well… that’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about.”

My stomach tightens.

“Oh? What’s going on?”

“Aston and Annie are dating—”

“What?”

I wince at the volume.

“Colt, calm down—”

“Calm down? He’s going to defile my daughter! Where is he? I’ll kill him.”

Oh God.

“Babe, stop!”

“Why? I told that little shit not to touch her—”

“Colt!” Mum snaps. “Listen to yourself.”

There’s a beat.

Then the scrape of chairs.

“Sit down.”

“I don’t want to sit down—”

“Sit. Down.”