withering scowl. “You brought our family name to scorn in front of the entire world, and now you’re dashing away from the scene to save your own skin? You’re just like your mother.”
A chill settles in my bones. Jessica Redinger is one person I do not want to emulate.
“I’m sorry…I really am, but I can’t stay. I’ve embarrassed everyone enough. I just need to go back to the countryside where I belong.”
Grandmum arches a furry white eyebrow. “You’re not going back to California?”
“No.” I shake my head vehemently. “I’m going back to hiding in Kentucky. People might find me there, but at least I won’t be in the spotlight anymore.”
Grandmum appears to consider that option. “Ah…I see.”
It stings that she suddenly stopped fighting for me to stay as soon as she found out I’d be out of the spotlight. She doesn’t want me to stay just because I’m her granddaughter. The Redingers only care about one thing: public image. If you’re out of the public eye, they couldn’t care less what you’re doing. It’s all about perception. All about the family name.
A few probing questions and stuttering answers later, Grandmum finally consents to letting me go. She doesn’t make any moves of affection or general courtesy as I leave. In fact, she calls her driver to take me to the airport and whirls around to head up to her bedroom without another word. I thought Nana was harsh before I met this woman. She makes Nana seem like a damn puppy. If Jess grew up with affection and love this sparse, I might truly feel sorry for her.
Speaking of Nana…time to get out of here.
I hand my luggage to the driver and settle into the back seat of the limo. After we’re down the road a ways, I take out my phone to text Dad so he’ll know where I’ve gone. As much as I don’t want him to come after me and drag me back to L.A., I don’t want him to freak out when he wakes up because he has no idea where I am, either. I can imagine the first person he’d accuse would be Jess, and then a huge family feud would ensue.
Me: When you get this, I’ll be on a plane going back to Kentucky. Sorry for running away, but I can’t face these scary bitches for one more minute.
Me: Love you.
Me: Sorry for ruining your life.
A warm tear courses down my cheek. I hit Send and lock my phone. I took Dad away from his life for seventeen years only to constantly screw him over. He probably won’t even follow me. Dad and Cass will go back to L.A., have a new kid, and live their lives out in peace. Either that, or they’ll reunite the band and try to piece together the shards of their shattered dreams. I don’t care what they do as long as I don’t have to be around to witness how much better their lives are without me.
There’s only one person on this planet I have never let down. I need to see her again before I lose my mind.
***
My hand trembles as I lift it to knock on the Lincourts’s front door. The shiny brass knocker pounds against its plate, reminding me of a drum beat.
The pastor pulls the squeaky front door open, looking hungover with sleep. His salt-and-pepper hair is ruffled and his glasses are all askew. He scrunches his eyebrows to study me in the dim lighting, and then he tightens his plaid robe around himself and smiles.
“Madison Daley, as I live and breathe. A certain daughter of mine is going to be delighted to see you.”
I sigh with relief. I worried he might toss me out the moment he saw me because of the mishaps of the summer, but I guess Ana explained to him that it was all an accident.
“Good morning, Pastor Lincourt. I’m sorry to barge in like this, but something happened in London and I really need my best friend right now. Could I stay here, at least for a day?”
“Sure! Come on in.” He steps aside and ushers me in with a hand at my back. Then he grabs my luggage and tugs it inside.
I step over to the staircase that leads to the upstairs bedrooms
A chill settles in my bones. Jessica Redinger is one person I do not want to emulate.
“I’m sorry…I really am, but I can’t stay. I’ve embarrassed everyone enough. I just need to go back to the countryside where I belong.”
Grandmum arches a furry white eyebrow. “You’re not going back to California?”
“No.” I shake my head vehemently. “I’m going back to hiding in Kentucky. People might find me there, but at least I won’t be in the spotlight anymore.”
Grandmum appears to consider that option. “Ah…I see.”
It stings that she suddenly stopped fighting for me to stay as soon as she found out I’d be out of the spotlight. She doesn’t want me to stay just because I’m her granddaughter. The Redingers only care about one thing: public image. If you’re out of the public eye, they couldn’t care less what you’re doing. It’s all about perception. All about the family name.
A few probing questions and stuttering answers later, Grandmum finally consents to letting me go. She doesn’t make any moves of affection or general courtesy as I leave. In fact, she calls her driver to take me to the airport and whirls around to head up to her bedroom without another word. I thought Nana was harsh before I met this woman. She makes Nana seem like a damn puppy. If Jess grew up with affection and love this sparse, I might truly feel sorry for her.
Speaking of Nana…time to get out of here.
I hand my luggage to the driver and settle into the back seat of the limo. After we’re down the road a ways, I take out my phone to text Dad so he’ll know where I’ve gone. As much as I don’t want him to come after me and drag me back to L.A., I don’t want him to freak out when he wakes up because he has no idea where I am, either. I can imagine the first person he’d accuse would be Jess, and then a huge family feud would ensue.
Me: When you get this, I’ll be on a plane going back to Kentucky. Sorry for running away, but I can’t face these scary bitches for one more minute.
Me: Love you.
Me: Sorry for ruining your life.
A warm tear courses down my cheek. I hit Send and lock my phone. I took Dad away from his life for seventeen years only to constantly screw him over. He probably won’t even follow me. Dad and Cass will go back to L.A., have a new kid, and live their lives out in peace. Either that, or they’ll reunite the band and try to piece together the shards of their shattered dreams. I don’t care what they do as long as I don’t have to be around to witness how much better their lives are without me.
There’s only one person on this planet I have never let down. I need to see her again before I lose my mind.
***
My hand trembles as I lift it to knock on the Lincourts’s front door. The shiny brass knocker pounds against its plate, reminding me of a drum beat.
The pastor pulls the squeaky front door open, looking hungover with sleep. His salt-and-pepper hair is ruffled and his glasses are all askew. He scrunches his eyebrows to study me in the dim lighting, and then he tightens his plaid robe around himself and smiles.
“Madison Daley, as I live and breathe. A certain daughter of mine is going to be delighted to see you.”
I sigh with relief. I worried he might toss me out the moment he saw me because of the mishaps of the summer, but I guess Ana explained to him that it was all an accident.
“Good morning, Pastor Lincourt. I’m sorry to barge in like this, but something happened in London and I really need my best friend right now. Could I stay here, at least for a day?”
“Sure! Come on in.” He steps aside and ushers me in with a hand at my back. Then he grabs my luggage and tugs it inside.
I step over to the staircase that leads to the upstairs bedrooms
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