Page 45 of Rock Me

“Ben is my bodyguard,” Summer says, explaining my presence in her apartment.Something I think they ought to already know, and would have if they showed any interest in Summer at all.

“Bodyguard?Why would you need a bodyguard?”Ira, a tall man with gray hair, asks as he shakes my hand.

“That’s a long story,” Summer says.“But basically it’s a precaution.Something Jade Glow’s people put in place for both me and Tawny.”She shoots me a look, which I interpret to mean not to give them details about the specifics of someone wanting to hurt her.

“Come in!”She settles her parents on the sofa.“Can I get you anything?”

Her mother shakes her head.“We wanted to talk to you.”She shoots a glance at me.

I take the hint that they want privacy for their conversation.“I can make myself scarce.”I’ll go to the bedroom or the kitchen.

In this small apartment, I’ll hear everything, but I’m not leaving her unprotected.Anyone watching would know I left the building and see opportunity.

I am staying put.

***

Summer

I don’t knowwhat to make of my parents’ visit, but I am glad they are here.So much has happened lately that I’d normally talk to my mother about, and I hope today means we can make inroads toward regaining our once-close relationship.

I glance at my folks.My mom looks as fit in person as she did on the video chat, wearing a striped dress with a belt and ballet flats.My dad, too, is tanned and healthy.

“So, you two look great,” I say as an icebreaker.

“Thank you.So do you.”My mom meets my gaze, the same golden-brown eyes I see in the mirror staring back at me.

My mother squirms in her seat.“Honey, I know when I came back I was still on a high from exploring the world, but really, when I think about that conversation, I just cringe.”

Before I can reply, my mother rushes on.

“We had our neighbors DVR yourMorning Showappearance and your whole childhood came rushing back.”She sniffs and wipes a tear.“I’m so proud of you.You could have fallen apart or walked off the stage, but my God, you stepped up.”Her voice cracks with feeling.“I couldn’t imagine what you were going through, alone there, dealing with things.”

My eyes glaze, emotion clogging my throat.“I wasn’t alone.I had…” I was about to say Ben, but then I’d have to explain to my parents that I am sleeping with my bodyguard while he is no doubt listening from the other room.“I was okay,” I say over the lump in my throat.“But I did wish you were there.Or at least watching.”

My father nods.“That’s why we’re here.Seeing the performance was a wakeup call to how selfish we’ve been, only thinking about our feelings and not yours.We were hurt,” he says.“And angry that after all we’d done to help you get to where you were, you didn’t think we are good enough to keep around.”

I shake my head.I never wanted them to feel that way.“That wasn’t it.Honestly.It really came down to experience in how to negotiate with people who’ve been in the industry for years.”I tried to explain the situation at the time, but they were too hurt to hear.“You were great when I was younger, but things got so crazy during and afterStar Power, and I needed qualified people in my corner.But I never wanted you to all but disappear.”

“That was mostly my fault,” my father says in a gruff tone.“My ego took a hit, and I decided if you didn’t want us managing your career, then you could handle things on your own.”

“It was petty and juvenile,” my mother says, eyes still watering.

I no longer care about what they did or why.I am just grateful they had an epiphany.I really miss having my parents in my life in any meaningful way.“I’m just happy you’re here now.”

My mother pulls me into a hug, and my father follows.My parents’ loving, strong arms reassuring me I have them in my corner.

“Now what’s this about a bodyguard?”my father asks.“I wish I’d known about it.You could have told us.”He attempts to scold me, but I’m not going to let him.

“No, I couldn’t have.”I purse my lips, waving a chiding finger at him.“And you know now.”Time for a change of subject, I think.“Want to stay for lunch?”

“We’d love to, but we have show tickets for later today.How about tomorrow?We’re here for a few days, and we hope you’ll make time for us.”

“You know I will.”I am fine with them not being able to stay.I got all I could have wanted from them today anyway.“I’ll walk you out.”

Ben is out of the kitchen in an instant, taking the lead and opening the door.“Nice to meet you,” he says, holding the door open as my father leaves first.

“Take care of my little girl,” Dad says in a protective tone.