Chapter 26

26

P eter wouldn't let her out of his sight. Her heart and soul overflowed with love after all these months of separation and misunderstandings. Suddenly, she turned into a VIP on the Jamieson tour. Everyone knew her name and was happy to see her. The biggest surprise was Peter's mother. After being introduced, Karen Jamieson welcomed Libby with open arms and hugged her close. "We're so glad you're here."

Security brought DarLynn backstage. The parking attendant eventually believed their story about Libby being "the girl," and he got DarLynn inside to see the concert. Together, they left Red Rocks in the Jamieson tour bus.

Libby had never seen anything so fancy in her life and stared in awe. Plush carpet covered the floors. The back of the bus featured a large-screen TV and comfy seating for a small crowd. Guitars were secured to the walls as décor and for easy access. The rolling reunion bus took them to an upscale hotel in downtown Denver. Jamieson occupied the entire executive floor. Peter's parents were super generous and gave a suite to her and DarLynn.

Libby and Peter curled up together on a couch and talked late into the night. "I've missed you desperately," Peter whispered into her hair and she tried not to cry with relief. They couldn't stop touching, kissing, and gazing into each other's eyes. It was almost as if they'd never been apart.

She dredged up all that happened to her from the drug bust, the horrors of the group home, and her eventual escape. Peter relived the experience with her as she recalled the painful memories. But all that was in her past. Snuggled into Peter's side, she shared stories about the kind people of Pebble Creek who gave her a chance. How Jerrold helped her navigate the legal system, and assisted with her plans for college in the fall.

DarLynn stayed up late, keeping an eye on them from afar, but eventually climbed into her plush king bed. She left the door open to the sitting area to remind them of her presence, but Libby and Peter didn't care.

Peter told Libby about their new album and that most of the songs were about her. He said that he planned to buy his own place. "I love my family, but I needed more independence and time away from their constant intrusion." He even convinced his parents to agree on a second tour bus so they all could enjoy more privacy. Late in the night, they finally fell asleep in a tangle of limbs on the sofa.

Morning arrived too early with the sound of DarLynn filling the whirlpool tub. Libby woke and smiled into the comfort of Peter's arms, unwilling to leave his side. A loud knock and the sound of the suite door opening forced them upright.

"Good morning," Peter's mother sang brightly.

Peter groaned. "Mom, this is child abuse. I should have you arrested for waking us up so early." He tossed a throw pillow at her.

"Doesn't look like you two got much sleep." She gave them a pointed look, bustled into the room, and returned the pillow to the sofa. "You kids don't need to use up all your words the first day."

"See what I mean?" Peter leaned into Libby and rested his head on her shoulder. "I get no privacy. Nothing is sacred."

"I don't mind." She turned and inhaled. Peter smelled like their warm, sleepy bodies and her faded perfume. Sleeping in Peter's arms was pure heaven, but now, as his mother pretended not to watch them, Libby sat up straighter and smoothed her rumpled clothes.

"Bring it right in." His mother held the door of the hotel suite open.

Two waiters wheeled in carts filled with food. As they set up a breakfast buffet on the table, the mouth-watering aroma of bacon, pancakes, and mini quiches filled her nose. On the road trip to Denver she and DarLynn only ate fast food, Cheetos, and red licorice.

"Lordy, look at all that food. Are we having a party?" DarLynn wandered into the living area wrapped in a fluffy robe embroidered with the hotel logo.

"Good morning, DarLynn, did you sleep well?" Peter's mom asked, sounding chipper .

"The bed sure was comfy, but I barely slept trying to stay awake and keep an eye on these two. Let's just say I'm not looking forward to all the late nights chaperoning my boys."

Libby's face warmed. "Oh my God," she said under her breath to Peter. Chaperoned? How humiliating. "You didn't need to stay up. We were just fine. Plus, Peter's eighteen. We're both adults now."

"Now, now, I'll hear nothing of it. He may be eighteen, but you're not. If your mother were here, do you think she'd leave you alone all night with a boy and a hotel full of beds?" DarLynn crossed her arms, a gesture Libby's mom often used when irritated.

Heat crept up her neck again. No doubt, her mom would have done the same as DarLynn. Peter winked. Libby grinned, and little tingles shot down to her toes.

"DarLynn, why don't you and I fix a plate and visit while the kids wake up and plan their day," Peter's mom said. "Plus, I can't wait to hear more about your darling boys. I have experience on how to handle three headstrong youngsters. "

"What's that?" DarLynn asked. "Put 'em in a band?"

"Exactly," she said and both women roared with laughter.

While the women chatted like long-lost friends, Libby and Peter filled their plates and huddled together at the granite counter and ate. She had never expected to see him again, and sitting so close was beyond a fantasy come true. He seemed to agree as he picked that moment to kiss her.

"What would you like to do today," she asked, not caring what they did.

"How about we go for a hike? I hear Granite Peak is beautiful."

Roger found a trail off the beaten path, free from hordes of hikers. Thankfully, he stayed in the parking lot so Libby and Peter could spend the day alone.

They set out on their own with a new sense of freedom. It took a couple hours to reach the top of what seemed like a mountain, but was probably just a bluff or foothill by Colorado standards. Surrounded by the scent of pine and a light breeze, the outside world fell away as if only they existed. Huge outcroppings of rocks, sprinkled with occasional brush and trees, covered the peak. They sprawled against a warm boulder and enjoyed a spectacular view of the nearby mountains. Libby lifted her water bottle, took a long drink, then passed it to Peter. He offered a bag of trail mix in return.

A strong August breeze cooled their warm skin. Libby leaned back and turned her head to Peter. He wore his baseball cap backward, presenting his gorgeous face. She could stare at him forever.

"What are you looking at?" His bright eyes seemed to smirk.

"You. I can't believe this is happening. I never dreamt I'd see you again."

"All this time apart, and you didn't even dream about me?" he teased.

"Stop it. You know that's not true." She took his hand and laced her fingers with his. It had been a struggle not to think about him.

"I never stopped thinking about you." He kissed the top of her hand.

"Really?" Even with his rock star life, he still cared so much. How could she be this lucky?

"Really," he said.

"So tell me about your dreams," Libby said.

"Now that I have you, there's not much left."

She wiggled closer. "You've accomplished so much, more than most people do in a lifetime. But you can't be done dreaming at eighteen. That would be tragic."

"Let's see, where do I begin?" He shifted to a more comfortable position, with Libby's back against his chest, his arms wrapped comfortably around her. "Our last album went platinum in a week and our upcoming tour sold out in minutes. That's all great, but I want to write the kind of music that lives on for decades. I'd like to move people with the power of my lyrics and music."

Libby lay against him. The sun beat down on their bodies as his breath tickled her neck like a feather. His success had grown while they were apart.

"Then I'd like to take all the success I've enjoyed and do something really good with it. I'd like to help kids and sick people."

She listened to the low timbre of his voice, feeling it vibrate in his chest as she rested against him. He would do all these things. She knew he would.

"I'd also like to get my own place," he continued. "You know, travel when I want to and not necessarily with my family. I love them, but it's time to grow up and live my life. At least as much as possible."

She contemplated all he said.

"And what about you?" He nipped the edge of her ear. "I've been blabbing away. Now that you're legally independent, what do you want to do with your life–besides go on tour and hang out with me 24/7?" He caressed her palm with his thumb.

Libby had been plotting and planning for months, and it seemed everything clicked all at once. "First, I want to go to school and become a graphic artist. I've been drawing ever since my mom gave me my first box of crayons. It's the one thing I've always loved. I'd never make much money as a regular artist, but as a graphic artist I could always take care of myself. "

Peter rested his chin in the nook of her neck. "I'll take care of you now."

She nestled closer. Reality began to seep into their perfect world. "That's sweet, but I've left my fate to others too many times, and it didn't work out, to say the least. I won't ever do that again. Now I need to take charge of my life."

"But I get to be in it, don't I?" he teased. She noted a tone of worry to his voice.

"Of course you do." She turned in his arms and reached up for a kiss. Peter set his lips upon hers, and they stopped speaking, letting their bodies take over. They got lost in each other's kisses and caresses.

Content to be together and needing nothing more, they hung out at the top long enough for clouds to move in and shed a light sprinkle of rain. Reluctantly, they packed up. Libby didn't want their perfect day to end. On their way back down the mountain, Peter told her about the preparations for their upcoming tour and appearances.

She told him about her preparations to start college in Boston this fall, and the heartbreak of her failed efforts to track down her dad. Now that she had her independence, she would keep her name public, so her dad could easily find her, should he be looking. No more hiding.

When they returned to the hotel, Peter needed an hour to shower and catch up on some band obligations before they'd go out for dinner.

DarLynn waited for her in their hotel suite. "You two have a good day?"

"We did, thanks." Libby bubbled with excitement like one of DarLynn's boys on his birthday. DarLynn laughed and smiled, enjoying every bit of Libby's happiness. "I can't believe we're actually here. I can never thank you enough."

"Aw, it's been my pleasure. I haven't had this much fun since, well, since never. I got to see a Jamieson concert, make friends with Peter's momma, and stay in this swanky hotel. The boys will never believe all our stories. Look at all the amazing swag Karen brought over for the boys, and it's all autographed."

Libby looked through the pile of Jamieson T-shirts, hats, and CDs. The boys would love the gifts.

"Oh, and Peter's dad had the truck fixed, so we can head back anytime."

Libby's head snapped up. They never discussed the option of her staying with Peter. Yesterday, it seemed premature to assume anything. She desperately wanted to stay. She didn't want to face reality yet. She needed more time.

"And none too soon," DarLynn continued, oblivious to Libby's predicament. "I called home today and all hell is breakin' loose. The motel over in Greenville had a fire, and now the Twilight is plum overflowing. The baby's got the flu, so Bea's been cleaning up hurl all day. Jimmy's momma can't handle stress too well, and it sounds like she's hitting the bottle again. She's better as a glittery ornament than as a grown-up getting her fingernails dirty. Oh, and Bea said Penny's short another waitress. Apparently, Vera ran off with her boyfriend the morning we left. Can you imagine so much happening in just a coupla days?"

Libby pictured poor Penny trying to keep her business running when she was short two waitresses. The woman had always been good to her and didn't even hesitate when she asked for time off to come to Red Rocks, but now Penny must be exhausted. And Robby sick, the little sweetheart. The realities of life slapped her like a hand across the face. The past twenty-four hours had been the best in her life, but now it seemed to be time for her dream trip to end.

"When do you want to leave?" Libby struggled to keep the sadness from her voice. She and Peter hadn't figured out the future yet. She didn't want to leave him, but with everything going on, knew she couldn't stay, either.

"Oh, honey, we can wait till tomorrow. I don't want to spoil your reunion with that hottie boy of yours. Darn, you didn't tell me he could melt chocolate with those smoking good looks. You're the luckiest girl I know."

Libby smiled at her remarks. Lucky, yes, despite all the loss and pain in her past. Just then, Peter let himself into the suite. His eyes glittered with excitement.

"Hi, DarLynn," he greeted her.

"Hi there yourself." DarLynn smiled coyly.

He crossed the room to Libby. "I talked to my mom and dad, and we've got it all worked out. "

"What are you talking about?" she asked.

"Us. Our plans."

"Oh." He was going to be heartbroken when she told him she had to leave.

"There's good news and bad news." He grinned like a little kid with a big secret.

"Okay, tell me." She fought back a laugh.

"First, the good news." He paused for effect. "You're coming on tour with me. It starts in early September, but you can stay with us. You'll get to travel the country. We have a second bus now, so we won't have to be hassled by my family all the time."

She'd never seen him so happy, and she loved it, but had he forgotten about her life? In a few weeks she was starting school.

"Now the bad news. I have to leave tonight. I can't believe this is happening, but the first release from our new album is due to hit in a few days along with the music video. There was some sort of mix-up at the editing company and a full minute of tape is corrupted." He pushed his hands through his hair. "Something about a system failure and inadequate off-site backup systems. Anyway, we have to re-film the missing scenes. It's an outdoor shoot at the Pike Place fishermen's market in Seattle."

"Okay." She tried to follow his confusing explanation.

"The problem is, a storm is coming in and the only window of time to get the shooting done is tomorrow, so Adam, Garrett, and I have to fly out tonight. I'm so sorry. But I can be back tomorrow night or the next day for sure. Crud, that's not true. The day after, we have rehearsals for the Video Music Awards, but you could still fly out and join me. It'll be a lot of industry stuff, but at least we'll be together, part of the time."

Something inside Libby clicked, as if suddenly she could see the future clearly and all the problems, pitfalls, and realities of each of their lives. His life was filled with obligations and great opportunities. She was about to venture off on her own adventures with college. There was no room in it for a relationship.

She glanced at DarLynn, who pretended to occupy herself with the television remote. "Peter, come with me."

Libby took him by the hand and led him out on the balcony for privacy. Once she closed the patio doors, they stood at the railing overlooking the beautiful skyline of downtown Denver as the day sank into twilight. She tried to think of how to break the news to him. How to break his heart again.

"Are you okay?" His brow furrowed with concern.

"I'm fine." She nodded with a heavy heart, took a deep breath for courage, and hoped she handled this right. She looked deep into his beautiful, soulful eyes. "I love you. You do know that, don't you?"

"Yeah, I know." He squeezed her hand and smiled at her, but he knew something was amiss.

"It's great that you're making all these plans for us, but I have obligations too. I have a job and I'm starting school in a few weeks." As much as she'd love to follow him and share his rock-star life, she wanted—no, needed—more than anything to go to school for herself, her future.

"Oh. Well, yeah, I guess I kind of forgot about that. I'm just so happy to have you back. I don't want to miss a second of being together." He grinned, looking more adorable than ever.

"I know. But from what you just said, it sounds like it's going to be hard to spend any time together. And I have to leave in the morning to get back to my jobs in Pebble Creek."

His eyes widened in shock and his face fell.

"People are counting on me," she added and placed her hand on his arm.

"Peter. When I met you, my life was so miserable, and you saved me from the darkest depths and led me back to happiness. After that, when everything fell apart and I thought you didn't want to see me again, you still gave me strength. You gave me the courage and power to walk out of that group home and start making my own decisions. I could never have done that without you."

Peter's jaw tightened and he pressed his lips together. "What are you doing?" he asked, his voice strained.

Libby didn't know how to say this. She'd love to share his crazy rock-star life, but deep down knew she couldn't. "I'm trying to explain this to you. You need to know how profoundly you have affected my life."

"Libby, please don't." He shifted on his feet knowing what was coming.

"If there is one thing I've learned this past year, it's that I have to be in charge of my life. No one else. I want to go to college and get a degree. I really do. I can't go on tour with you and still do that. I have to be able to take care of myself for the rest of my life. I can't leave that to someone else again. Not even you." Because if he ever left her, she would be broke and alone again.

"Stop talking like this." Peter tried to turn away. She pulled him back and faced him, holding his arms.

"And as much as I'd love to be with you, I would only hold you back. You are needed so many places all the time. You have music to write, interviews to tape, and concerts to perform. We'd barely ever see each other anyway."

Libby knew she was breaking his heart. Heck, she was breaking her own.

Peter searched her eyes and seemed to make a decision. "Change of plans. Come with me tonight. I will make this work. I promise you. I'll figure this out so we can be together. Every second I'm not working, I'm with you." He held her hands in his and gazed into her eyes with such love and hope.

She smiled sadly and shook her head.

Peter shoved a hand through his hair. "God, Libby, please don't leave me now," he pleaded. "You don't need your job anymore. Let me take care of you for once. I have plenty of money."

She wanted to say yes so badly––it had been a long time since anyone took care of her–but she couldn't. "This isn't about money. There are people back in Pebble Creek who moved heaven and earth to help me get here. I would love to go with you, but now they need me to help them. I need to go back with DarLynn."

Peter shook his head, his eyes glassy with pain.

She squeezed his hand and spoke softly. "You need to go catch your plane and take care of the video."

"I'll quit the band," he declared, and by the look on his face, she didn't doubt him.

"No, you won' t. You are the most gifted person I've ever known. You're too smart to walk away from your music." She reached up and smoothed his golden hair.

"We can do this. Give it a chance," he pleaded.

"I don't see how? You can't give up performing and I can't skip out on school. You're from out west and I'll be living on the East Coast. I'm not saying we can't see each other or stay connected, but I just don't think anything more is going to work right now."

Peter released her, rested his arms on the balcony rail, and stared into the distance.

She joined him, taking in the warmth of his skin and the scent of him freshly showered. She missed him already. "These past twenty-four hours have been an amazing dream come true. But it's time to get back to our lives. I've only got a few weeks to wrap up things in Georgia before I leave for school."

"Peter, I will always love you and now that we've found each other, I want to always remain friends." Reducing what they had to just friends made her want to weep. "But to try to hold a relationship together is too much. When I'm in school, I can't take off for days at a time. I'd never succeed. And you wouldn't succeed trying to constantly get away to be with me. Am I making sense?"

"I'm not going to answer that," he said stubbornly .

She smiled. He got it. He just didn't want to admit it.

He took her hand and pulled her to him, burying his face in her hair. "Damn it, Libby. I can't let you go," he murmured in her ear. "I can't do it." His voice broke with emotion.

She tried not to cry. As much as she wanted to, she couldn't give in, this was too important. "You need to go one direction, and I need to go another," she whispered.

"I don't like it."

"I don't, either," she said and meant it. But she'd learned that sometimes hard decisions were required in life. "But we'll take the love with us. No one can ever take that away." Her voice broke with emotion.

A knock on the patio door interrupted them. Adam peered out. They released each other. Peter turned away from the door, hiding the anguish on his face. Libby waved Adam over to join them.

"Hey, Adam," she said softly, her sadness clear.

"Hey." He took in their tortured expressions. "Sorry to interrupt but, Peter, we gotta go."

"I'll be there in a sec," Peter said, not facing him. Adam quietly left them alone, each in their private pain. Libby fought to keep her composure, but each moment became more difficult.

Peter turned to her with a determined set to his jaw. "I won't let you do this. I won't." He challenged her with a stare. He loved her so much, and she wanted him more than anything. But she knew what they both needed.

"It'll never work. This will be better in the long run," she said, wondering if she'd ever recover from the pain of letting him go.

"Stop." He put his finger on her lips, then leaned forward and replaced them with his lips. His kiss was gentle and soft as if healing a wound. Then he became more urgent as if sending her a message, a promise of something more to come.

She clung to him, wanting to prolong their time together. Tears rolled from her eyes. Peter kissed them away. She fought to hold her emotions in, afraid she would break into a million pieces.

"I want you to call me. Promise?" His eyes were dark and sad in the early evening dusk, as if holding up the weight of the world. When she didn't answer, he gave her a little shake. "Promise."

She nodded, but knew it would be easier to let him go now. He didn't need her as a distraction.

They turned at the sound of Roger opening the patio door. "It's time," he said, avoiding eye contact, then departed discreetly, leaving the door open. Peter's parents and brothers waited inside the suite next to a somber-looking DarLynn.

Libby flung herself into Peter's arms and hugged him tight, wanting to remember everything about him. "I love you," she whispered, then released him and turned back to the skyline. "Now go, before I embarrass myself in front of your family."

"This isn't over," he murmured in her ear.

She stood for long minutes alone, gulping back her grief, watching the lights of the city pop on as the sun sank behind a mountain in the distance. The sunset created a display of red, orange and pink hues on the evening sky. When Libby turned around, the hotel suite was empty, except for DarLynn packing Libby's bag.