Chapter 17
"Are you sure I can't come?" I question my dad when we say goodbye. He's going on the road for a while to play some venues.
"I wish you could Harper but you have school and I'm sure your mom and Teddy would not approve of you coming on the road with me." As much as I want to go he's right there's no way I could go and besides most of his venues are at bars I wouldn't even be allowed into his shows.
"Alright well I love you dad."
"Love you too Harper."
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"Scarlett hey. I didn't know you were coming over." I greet my cousin when I come into the kitchen to get food and find my mom and Scarlett in the living room.
"Harper just give us a few more minutes." My mom tells me in kind of an annoyed tone. I nod, grab a bag of pretzels and head back upstairs. What was that all about?
"Hey." I answer my phone when Dallas calls.
"You're coming tonight right?" She asks.
"To what?"
"Uh my house to get ready for homecoming?" How did I forget about homecoming?
"Right um yeah I'll be there. What time is everybody else getting there?"
"I think 5."
"Ok I'll prolly be there about then too. Do you want to sleep over at my house tonight too?"
"Yeah we haven't had a sleepover in forever."
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"How was it?" My mom asks when Dallas and I come down for breakfast. I stop short when Luke Wheeler is sitting in our kitchen. Did he spend the night? Ew.
"Good." Dallas and I reply practically at the same time.
"Coffee?" Luke asks Dallas and I. We nod furiously. We may or may not be a tiny bit hungover. We drank a little before homecoming at her house and then a few of our guy friends were passing around flasks.
"Where's Maddie and Daphne?" I question.
"Maddie's at Bryanna's and Daphne's at Valerie's." I nod once again as Luke hands me a mug full of steaming hot coffee.
"So are we just gonna pretend this isn't awkward or..." I break the silence.
"Harper." Mom scolds.
"I mean am I wrong about what's going on here?" I question. My mom glares at me but doesn't reply. "Ok, well on that note, Dallas you want to go out for breakfast?"
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"Hey that doesn't look anything like a presentation on the Battle of Liberty Gout." Teddy says to Maddie interrupting my sisters and I singing.
"I'm working on a new song." Maddie tells him. "I wanna play it for Deacon tomorrow."
"Dad, I just finished my math problems can you check them?" Daphne questions.
"We don't even have school tomorrow. Stop being such a nerd."
I joke.
"Yeah honey can you give me a sec I'll check em out." Teddy sits down on the coffee table between the couch that Daphne and I are sitting on and the chair Maddie's in.
"Honey, you've got a C is history right now." Maddie rolls her eyes. "Look I get it. Things have been tough around here lately. If your hobbies are getting in the way of your homework."
"Music isn't a hobby to me!" Maddie interrupts.
"Well it's gonna have to be for now. School needs to be the priority right now." Teddy takes her guitar and walks out of the room. "Make some progress and you'll get this back for your lesson ok?"
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"I can't wait to see you." I tell Landon over FaceTime. He's coming to visit this weekend and I'm beyond excited.
"Me neither." Landon replies.
"Harper." Maddie bursts into my room.
"Excuse you. There's this thing called knocking maybe you've heard if it."
"Sorry Deacon wanted me to give you this." Maddie says handing me my dads new record.
"Thanks." I tell her before she walks out.
"What is it?" Landon asks.
"My dad's record." I reply with excitement. "Do you want to hear some?" Landon nods and I place the record on my record player.
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"Girls come on let's go!" Teddy yells from downstairs. Maddie, Daphne and I run down the stairs. "Ok wait did you do that to her?" Teddy asks me referring to Daphne's makeup.
"No she just copies Maddie and I." I reply.
"No go back upstairs and wash your faces."
"Why?" Daphne questions.
"Why? Because you're too young for makeup and that is too much for you." Teddy says to Daphne and Maddie. I look over at my sisters. Sure Maddie has a little makeup on but she looks cute.
"But dad." Daphne whines.
"No butts go." Teddy tells my sisters. Daphne runs up the stairs.
"Dad it's not like this makeup is getting in the way of my homework." Maddie argues.
"You know what you've got to be a better example for you sister alright."
"How? By acting like I'm ten? I'm not a little kid anymore and Harper gets to do whatever she wants dad."
"You know what that's right you're not and you're also old enough to stay home while I take your sisters to the party."
"What?"
"Teddy this is moms big night." I try to convince him.
"Deacons gonna be there."
"And so will you when you go clean that up a bit. Go on."
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"Hey." Mom greets my sisters and I at the party by hugging us. "So glad to see you. Tonight would not be nearly as fun without y'all."
"Where's Luke?" Daphne questions looking for any trace of the man.
"I don't know." Mom shakes her head.
"Oh there he is. Come on Maddie." Daphne points out.
"Uh ok nice talking to you." Mom speaks.
"I'm gonna go find Scarlett and my dad." I tell Teddy and my mom.
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"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. How are y'all doing? I hope you're having a good night!" Juliette speaks into the mic at the Highway 65 launch party. "Y'all want to hear the new song? Yeah let's put our hands together for a true legend. I am so excited that she signed me to Highway 65 and in shepherding me through this next phase of my career. Y'all give it up for Miss Rayna Jaymes." Wait what? Mom signed Juliette?
Mom sings her new song and everyone cheers as always.
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"Maddie's grounded for a month so I would appreciate it if you could support me and your mom by not letting her use your guitars or let her come with you to see Deacon." Teddy tells me while I wait for Landon to show up.
"Why is she grounded?" I question keeping my eyes on the driveway.
"She lied about having her project done and her attitude is just out of control."
"Ok I can respect that. I'll sing by myself for a while." I tell him as Landon's truck pulls up outside. Throwing the door open I sprint outside. As Landon steps out of his truck I practically tackle him by jumping into his arms.
"I...missed....you....so....much." Landon says as he leaves kisses all over my face.
"I missed you too." I giggle.
"Sorry to interrupt but I'm leaving. Watch you sisters please till your mom gets home." Teddy speaks from behind me.
"Actually no can do. Landon and I are going out." I tell my step dad.
"It's already 8 I think it's best if you stay in tonight." I roll my eyes.
"My curfew isn't till eleven." I remind him.
"I'm asking you to stay in Harper."
"Harper it's fine. We'll go out tomorrow." Landon tries.
"Fine." I tell Teddy.
