Chapter Eight

I'm still in complete shock as I pull into the driveway. I can't believe what just happened.

I slowly get out of the car and try to process everything that was said. I already have a running list in my head of all the things I need to get done before I go.

I finally open the door and step out of my car. My mind is whirling as I head up the driveway to the house. I pause a moment in front of the door before I turn the handle and step in.

"So, what happened! Tell me nooooow!" Juliet screams before I can even get my whole body into the house.

"Jules, honey, give him a second to get inside. I'm sure he'll tell us when he's ready," Dad says as he puts his hands on Juliet's shoulders and tries to turn her towards the kitchen. He looks at me as if expecting an answer in agreement.

I nod my head. "Yup, just need a few minutes. I'll be right down."

I quickly go up the steps, taking two of them at a time. Once I'm in my room, I close the door and sit on my bed, letting my head fall into my hands. I have so many emotions going through me right now.

I'm of course ecstatic about going on this tour. I know just how big of an opportunity this is for me. The exposure alone could really boost my music career. I never in a million years would've even imagined this happening.

On the other hand though, I'm completely terrified of screwing this up. There's so many things that can go wrong.

First and foremost, Alison's fans might completely hate me and my music. Her fans are insanely devoted to her, so if they aren't okay with my songs, I can kiss my music career goodbye.

I think the scariest thing of all though is Alison. She holds all of the power in this and for whatever reason, she already hates me. One wrong move and I know she won't hesitate to kick me out without a second thought.

I let out a breath and try to calm my overactive brain. Everyone always jokes about me overthinking everything, but I can't help it. I feel like ever since my mom passed, my brain has been in overdrive and it refuses to slow down. I'm used to it, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't drive me crazy on a regular basis.

A noise outside my door pulls me back to the present. I sit quietly for a second.

"You have to come out and face the music at some point, you know," I hear a small voice whisper through the door.

I can't help but laugh. Juliet never ceases to amaze me. She drives me crazy more often than not, but there's never a dull moment with her. Some days, I'm ready to have my own life and get my own place, but then I look at her face and realize what she's lost at such a young age and remember that being here with her and dad is all worth it.

Not to mention, she keeps me entertained. She's going to be the thing I miss the most when I'm gone.

I quickly open the door and jump towards her. I wrap my arms around Juliet and pick her up over my head. She instantly starts screaming.

"Put me down you loser and explain yourself!" she shouts as she's flailing her arms around. She grabs my hand and tries to pry my fingers off of her. "Let me go!"

I laugh. "I thought you wanted me to come out of my room. That's exactly what I did."

"You're insufferable! I wanted you to tell me what happened with Alison, not man handle me like this," she spits.

"Insufferable? Man handle? Man, Dad really needs to limit your TV time." I smile as I start to tickle her.

"Well, I'm sorry," she shouts between laughs, "that some of us are just smart and have a larger vocabulary." She laughs again as she tries to free herself. "Maybe you need more TV time. In my personal opinion, your lyrics are kind of lacking."

"Oh yeah?" I tickle her again. "That comment's gonna cost you." I swing her around and hold her upside down as I start walking towards the staircase.

"Nooooo, put me down! This should be illegal!" Juliet screams at the top of her lungs.

"Do I even want to know?" my dad yells from the living room.

I walk up behind him and throw Juliet down on the couch. "I was just putting Juliet in her place. You know how it is. Children these days. No respect for their elders."

"Or maybe," Juliet says as she stands up and straightens her sweatshirt, "old people these days are just lame." She looks over at me and sticks her tongue out before flinging herself into the armchair next to Dad.

I laugh and turn my attention to whatever Dad has on TV. We sit there in silence for a few minutes, but I swear I can cut the tension with a knife. I finally turn my gaze towards them. They both have their eyes glued on me. They don't even try to hide it when I catch them looking.

"Archer, seriously, the suspense is killing me," Juliet says, throwing herself back on the arm of the chair and fakes dead.

I point at Juliet. "Have you ever noticed she's a little dramatic?" I ask Dad. She sits up and rolls her eyes at me.

My dad laughs. "Yes, I think I have noticed that a time or two. I have to side with her on this though, the suspense is killing me, too." He throws his head over the arm of the couch and mimics Juliet's theatrics.

"Two peas in a pod," I mumble as I fight the smile forming on my face. "I guess if you guys really want to know, I can tell you what happened."

"Oh no, we don't want to know at all. We've only been sitting here waiting for years," Juliet mocks, shaking her head.

"Point taken. Anyway, Alison and her team wanted to meet with me because they want me to go on tour with her," I get out in one breath.

Dad and Juliet freeze on the couch, their mouths hanging open.

"You better have said yes," Juliet says without hesitation.

"Ditto what she said," my dad responds pointing to Juliet.

"Well, I wanted to ask for your thoughts first, but I guess that answers that question. I'm going on tour with Alison Quick," I say, finally letting myself fully accept it.

The next thing I know, Juliet is on top of me jumping up and down shouting. "My idiot big brother is going on tour with Alison Quick!" I look over at Dad who's still on the couch shaking his head with the biggest smile on his face.