Reckless (Thoughtless, #3)(23)

Denny nodded as my parents finally joined us. “That’s probably a good idea. I would offer to keep an eye on her for you, but, uh . . . you know how she feels about me.”

With my parents in earshot, I only gave Denny a slight nod in response. I didn’t want to talk about why Anna had problems with Denny in front of my parents. They didn’t know what Denny had done, what I’d pushed him to, and I would prefer it if they never knew. Dad would insist I cut Denny out of my life forever, and I didn’t want to. He was part of me.

Dad looked exhausted, ready to take a vacation from his vacation. Crossing his arms over his chest, he stood tall and straight and tried to be imposing. “Kiera, I think we should sit down and have a discussion about you joining Kellan.” By his expression, it was clear he thought the idea was ridiculous. “Are you really going to go to Los Angeles? Because I’m not okay with you being in a city that size.” He paused, then added, “Surrounded by a bunch of rock stars.”

I smiled at Dad and started to respond, but Jenny overheard Dad and bounded to my side. “You’re really going down there? To be with them while they record the album?”

I hadn’t had time to tell Jenny about it either. So much had been sprung on me so fast . . . I was still a little dizzy. I grabbed Jenny’s arms and answered her and my dad. “Kellan really wants me there, and since I’m done with school, I’ve got lots of free time.”

Dad frowned. “You shouldn’t waste any time before applying for jobs, Kiera. It will look bad on your resume.”

I cringed as I looped my arm around Jenny and held on to her; I suddenly needed her support. “Um, actually, Dad . . . I’m not going to be applying for a job. When Kellan is done with the album, he’ll be touring again to promote it . . . and I’m going to go with him.”

My voice came out in hushed tones. For a second, the only noise was the traffic zipping down the road. Then Jenny and my father spoke at the same time. Surprisingly, they both said the exact same thing, only in completely different ways.

“No way!”

Jenny’s outburst was an exclamation of surprise; Dad’s was an order. I looked between them both, giving Jenny an excited squeal, and Dad an empathetic smile. “I know it’s sudden, but it’s what I really want to do.”

Jenny hugged me. In my ear, she told me, “I am so stinking jealous of you!” She pulled back, her pale eyes glossy. “I‘m going to miss you . . . but you are going to have so much fun.”

I giggled at her, her energy feeding my own. Then Dad’s voice broke through my joy. “No, Kiera. That’s not acceptable.”

I looked back at him, my buzz fading. His frown deepened. “We didn’t put you through four years of school so you could throw it all away to follow some band across the country.” He said the word band with a sneer, and irritation shot up my spine.

I wanted to sullenly tell Dad that my scholarships had paid for the majority of my schooling, that his contribution had been pretty minor in comparison, but that wasn’t really the issue being argued. “It’s not ‘some band,’ Dad. It’s my husband’s band.”

Dad rolled his eyes. “You’re not really married, Kiera.”

I ignored his comment. “And he needs me with him.”

Dad snorted, like he didn’t believe that, like he believed Kellan preferred to be on his own on the road. But Dad hadn’t seen how hard Kellan’s last tour was on him. True, a lot of the turmoil had been because of his father, but I think a large part was also because of me, because he’d wanted to be with me and couldn’t be. I know that’s how I’d felt about him.

Before Dad could voice his objection, I added, “And besides, I’m not throwing away my education. I’m going to be a writer, and I can do that on the road with Kellan.”

Dad gave me a blank stare. “A writer? You can’t make a living being a writer.”

Mom elbowed Dad in the ribs, and he glanced over at her. “What?”

Ignoring him, Mom turned to me. “I’m sure you’ll do very well, honey. Your father is just concerned about you struggling . . . just in the beginning, of course.”

I frowned at Dad. That wasn’t entirely his objection. Unless I was, say, a journalist writing for a major newspaper, Dad considered writing to be as frivolous as making music. A real job consisted of set hours, a set location, and a set paycheck. Dad liked things he could depend on. I did too, but I also knew that Kellan’s life was about to explode. Dad may not believe it yet, but he would soon. Kellan was too talented for the world not to take notice.

Switching my scowl to a placating smile, I assured him, “Kellan and I will do just fine. You don’t need to worry.”

His irritated expression turned concerned. “I’ll always worry about you, Kiera.”

My anger softened. Sighing, I released my hold on Jenny and walked over to Dad. Throwing my arms around him, I told him, “I’ll be fine, and I love you too.”

I heard him sniff as he wrapped his arms around me. I figured then that Dad would eventually come around. He may not ever fully support my decision, but he wouldn’t hold it against me either, just like he didn’t hold Anna’s poor decisions against her. My parents loved us through all of our ups and downs. And while this was a down for them, it was an up for me.