Page 98 of Sing Your Secrets

“Definitely. He may feel bad at the moment, but how much do you want to bet he’ll get some good lyrics out of it? And if not, we’ll try a different approach. Being a songwriter and a performer are two different skill sets. He’s stronger in one than the other. We just have to take our time to help him develop the right way.”

“Oh.” Relieved, I throw my arms around my dad’s neck. “Sorry, I was so angry. I didn’t realize.”

He wraps me up in a bear hug and pats my back so hard, it winds me. “Bet you feel like shit, now.” I feel his smile against my cheek.

“Not really. You had it coming. Next time you want to play mind games with my boyfriend, loop me in first.” I remember the words as I say them. Shit, another obstacle. Releasing Dad, I study his expression. “Miles and I…”

“Yeah, he told me how head-over-heels he is for you.”

My jaw drops. Looking to my left, Petey’s does too. His surprise is evident. Our secret, officially out of the bag. Head-over-heels? My smile is uncontrollable, spreading across my face—wait!

“You’re still going to help him?”

“Let me make myself crystal clear,” Dad says, shooting a side glance to Petey who shrivels in his seat and is suddenly very interested in my faux fur area rug. “Next man to break my daughter’s heart won’t have to deal with me. I’ll bring Abuela to the States to handle their ass.”

“Good,” I say with a laugh. I turn to Petey and give him a teasing smirk. “Know you were spared a major butt-kicking, my friend.”

But the sad expression he’s currently wearing—still full of surprise, but now mixed with anguish at the idea of me and Miles together…

Maybe he wasn’t spared a butt-kicking after all.