Page 59 of The Rocker

We all sat down to eat. Everyone was talking amongst themselves, but Pen remained silent and still beside me. Sitting down with my burger, I turned to her. “Hey, it’s going to be fine. I promise. In fact, I know we’re going to be better than ever. Do you trust me?”

She nodded, her shoulders relaxing. “Of course, I do.”

Putting my forehead to hers, I gave her a small kiss. “Good, now let’s have fun with your friends and celebrate.”

“You guys are so sweet,” Stella cooed from across the table.

The doorbell went off, setting us all on alert. Our backs stiffened as we looked toward the front door, which you could see from outside.

Ryder stood, his jaw tense. “Any chance that’s your friend?”

“Doubtful, but I’ll go with you just in case. You shouldn’t have to deal with him if it is.”

Ryder nodded as I followed him inside the house. I stood back a few feet in case it wasn’t Greer. Ryder pointed to a screen on the wall I hadn’t noticed. To my shock and horror, my parents were standing on the other side of the door. “Do you know them?”

“Yeah,” I croaked out and then had to clear my throat. “Those are my parents, but I didn’t invite them here.” In fact, I hadn’t talked to either one of them since my mom called demanding money.

“I’ll let you handle them and tell Pen for you,” Ryder said, looking from the door to me.

Cracking open the door, I took in my parents for a moment. It had only been a little over a year since I last saw them. They looked older and angrier than I’d ever seen them before. I opened the door and asked. “What are you doing here?”

My father’s dark eyes blazed with anger. “We gave you plenty of time to come see us, so we followed you.”

“You followed me? This is a private residence, and you don’t belong here.”

My mom, whose hair used to be pure black, was now salt and pepper, looked down at the sidewalk she stood on. It was my dad who spoke, shocking me. “Listen, punk. We’ll leave once you give us the money.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX

pen

Just when Ithought the day couldn’t get any worse, I heard Walker shout from outside Lexie and Ryder’s house.

Ryder came outside. His usually happy face was anything but putting me on alert. “Hey, Pen, I think Walker’s parents are here.”

“What?” Cross jumped up from the table and looked at me. “Did you give them any money?”

“No, not a dime,” I said as I rushed into the house.

“You need to leave,” Walker growled as he attempted to keep his parents from coming inside.

“Why? Don’t you want your fancy friends to know you owe us money?” An older man snapped. He was as tall as Walker and just as handsome, except his face was twisted in anger, and that anger was directed straight at his son.

Walker stepped back with his hands deep in his pockets. “Can you please explain to me how I owe you money?”

“We paid for your college. Two and a half years, and you threw it away for what?” His dad shrugged.

I moved in behind Walker, placing my hand on his back. His stiff posture relaxed more and more with each second I touched him. I only wished I could do more for him. Walker never talked about his parents. I think it hurt too much after they dismissed him for choosing to follow his dream.

“Well, I hate to inform you, but we’re no longer with the label and lost a band member recently. I’m without a job, and Pen and me,” Walker motioned for me to step forward from where I stood behind him. “This is my beautiful wife, Pen, we just bought a house, so I’m sorry to inform you, I have no money to give you.”

We hadn’t bought a house. The plan was to put our money into making their next album. That was, until a couple of labels called after hearing Crimson Heat was no longer with Titan Records, wanting to sign them. They were even supportive of our marriage. Now with Greer gone, we had no idea what would happen, but there was no way he was telling them that.

Once we got back from tour and after Cristiano fired me, Walker showed me the songs he’d written while we were apart. They were gut-wrenching and heartbreaking. Two things I knew that would sell. They were going to put Crimson Heat on the map as soon as they decided on the best label for them.

Walker’s mom stepped forward. She was beautiful, which was to be expected since her son was such a knockout. Except now, her face was marred with a deep scowl, matching the expression of her husband. “You’re an ungrateful little shit. Until you pay us back the money we paid for your college, I don’t want to hear from you.”

Someone behind me whispered a loud ‘harsh,’ but I wasn’t sure who it was.

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