Page 61 of Fight For Me

“Violet and I have a bet going,” CeCe says. “I get five bucks if he makes someone cry. Violet gets five bucks if he passes out from rage.”

“He’s not going to pass out from rage.” I glance back to the group, whose raised voices can be heard from here. Everly is as red-faced as her dad. “And if he makes anyone cry, it’s going to be out of frustration.”

“Nix and I have a bet going, too,” Silas says. He dribbles the ball, trying to keep it away from George. “Ten bucks if he tries to lock Everly in her room.”

“You guys need to stop taking bets on your uncle being an idiot.”

“Why’s he so mad, anyhow?” CeCe asks. “They’re already doing the show, right?”

“Right,” I mutter, my eyes darting between him and Everly, wondering what’s going on now. After tossing and turning all night, I left the condo before any of them were up this morning. I couldn’t get over the fact that Alex has my music on her playlist. Thinking about her listening to me play when she can’t sleep fills my chest with the strangest ache. I don’t know what to make of it.

So I left before I had to face her. Like she said last night—I’m a coward.

But now I’m wondering what I missed this morning. Because there’s clearly something going on that I haven’t heard about yet.

My gaze goes to Alex yet again. I should give up even trying not to look at her at this point. She doesn’t seem nearly as angry as Everly. She does, however, look tired. Tired and expressionless. My stomach twists.

“You’re staring again,” CeCe points out. “Are we playing or not?”

“Just looking for signs that Reed’s brain isn’t about to explode.”

Before we can get back to the game, Everly bellows my name. “Will you please come here?” she shouts across the lawn. “And tell my dad he’s being a complete idiot!”

“Wow,” Silas whispers. “I thought his face was red before. Now he’s like, neon.”

I ruffle CeCe’s hair, steal the ball from Silas and pass it to George, then ask them both to keep the dog occupied for a few minutes.

“Please tell him that we’ll be perfectly fine in Miami,” Everly says when I approach.

“You think this is a good idea?” Reed barks, looking like he wants to throttle me for daring to agree with her.

I hold up my hands. “I don’t even know what she’s talking about.”

“Scott wants to send them to Miami Thursday for a long weekend,” Will explains. “A vacation to celebrate the opening of the store.”

I frown. “I thought you weren’t opening for two more weeks?”

“They’ll film out of order,” Everly snaps, still glaring at her dad. “Who cares?”

“Reality TV, man,” River mutters. “What a load of crap.”

Everly turns her glare to him and he winces, rubbing his bleary eyes. “Sorry. Ignore the hungover asshole.”

I shoot a glance at Alex. I can’t tell what she thinks about this proposed trip. Actually, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen her looking so…expressionless. And from the concerned way Karen keeps glancing at her, I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who notices.

“Tell him it will be fine,” Everly repeats.

“Uh.” I really don’t want to get in the middle of this. “They’ve all handled themselves really well this whole time,” I say carefully. “The three of them have been totally professional. I’m sure they’ll be the same way in another city.”

“It’s not just another city,” Reed snaps. “It’sMiami. It’s the other side of the country. They’ll be drinking and partying—”

“Do you hear yourself?” my dad asks. “You’re bitching about drinking and partying? You do remember that you’re in a rock band, right? And that we’ve spent plenty of time partying in cities all over the world, including Miami.”

“It’s different,” Reed says stubbornly.

“Because I’m a girl,” Everly spits.

“Because you’re mydaughter.”