POP ROCK

by Charity Ferrell

  She grins. “I guess so.”

  The house we’re looking at is only a ten-minute drive, and the realtor, Debbie, is already there. She jumps out of her red Mercedes when I pull up and struts over to us in her black heels.

  “Knox,” she says, her red finger-nailed hand shooting out my way. “It’s nice to finally meet you.” I shake her hand, giving her a smile, and her attention then moves to Libby. “And you must be Libby. Knox says he can’t buy a house until you see it first.”

  “That’s right,” I say, as Libby gives me a strange look.

  “You’re both going to love this place,” Debbie says. We follow her up the walk and into the home. “Your assistant told me you’re looking for something modern. It’s twelve thousand square feet. Price is a little over eight million, so we’re in budget, and it also has the guest house you were looking for.”

  “Sounds perfect,” I say. “Let’s see if the pictures do it justice.”

  If the place looks anything like I saw online, this will be my next home. It’s nothing like my last one, which was a total bachelor pad. This one is more settled down and homey. I won’t be throwing any wild ass parties here. I’ve learned my lesson from trusting people around my shit.

  Debbie gives us the tour, and I can tell Libby loves it.

  “What do you think?” I ask her when Debbie leaves the room to take a phone call, but I’m pretty sure it’s to give us time to talk.

  Libby takes a look around. “I think it’s absolutely breathtaking.”

  I smirk. “Beautiful enough that you’d want to live here?”

  Her blue eyes narrow in on me. “If you’re seriously trying to hint that you’re giving me this house or something ridiculous along those lines, I’m telling you no right now, and there’s no changing my mind.”

  “That’s not what I’m hinting at. What do you think about staying in the guesthouse? It’ll be perfect for you.”

  “Why? I already have a place with Mia.”

  “You’ll have more privacy here and a place of your own. The guesthouse is just as beautiful as this home with a living room, a full kitchen, and a kickass master suite with an awesome bathroom.” Her hesitation is evident, so I move on to reason number two on the list I had lined up for this moment. “It would also help me – give me a peace of mind. If you’re here when I’m gone, I know it’ll be taken care of. You won’t pull a Nate on me, and my mom will try to get another one of my family members to move in so I can take care of them if that place has open vacancy.” She’s still giving me that nervous look. “You don’t have to give me answer right now. Think about it and then let me know, okay?”

  She bites into the edge of her pink lip and nods. “Okay.”

  “Final thoughts?” Debbie asks, interrupting us as she comes back into the room with her hands thrown out and a bright smile on her face.

  I glance over at Libby, and she nods. “I think we’ll take it,” I answer.

  Both Libby and Debbie pick up on my choice of words. We’ll take it.

  Debbie claps her hands in excitement that she’s about to get a nice little commission check. “Perfect. I’ll make an offer on it today.”

  I shake Debbie’s hand when we make it back outside, and we tell her goodbye. Libby slides back into my car when I open up the door for her.

  “You hungry?” I ask when I get into the driver’s seat.

  “Starving, actually. I planned on making lunch before you picked me up but decided against it when I realized Mia was waiting for me to come out of my bedroom so she could give me instructions on what to say to you today.”

  “She’s on Team Knox, isn’t she?”

  “She’s definitely on Team Knox.”

  “I knew I liked her.”

  I grab my phone and text Anna to set up lunch plans somewhere we can go without having cameras in our faces. I’ve had enough radio and TV interviews to last me for the next few months, and I don’t want them bringing up Nate trashing my house.

  I pull into the back entrance to the Italian restaurant and park the car. I get out, open her door, and then lead her into the building. The chef is waiting and takes us to a table in a vacant room.

  “I haven’t been to this place in forever,” Libby says, sitting down. “It’s one of my favorites. My dad and I used to come here all the time, but it’s a little too overpriced for my budget now.”

  I smile and make a mental note to thank Anna for making a good decision. “So how’s the new job going?” Thomas mentioned that Libby has been doing some light work for him when she’s not busy with classes.

  “It’s fine. Thomas works around my schedule, which is nice. I’m also doing my community service at the city’s social work office, and they told me I have a job lined up as soon as I get my degree.” I love the way her face lights up at the mention of her new career starting.

  “That’s awesome. I’m excited for you.” Would I rather her get her degree and work for me? Absolutely. But I can’t ask her to give up her passion because I know what it feels like to love what you do.

  “And it’s all thanks to you. Thank you for helping with my tuition.”

  “If you thank me again I’m going to bend you over this table and spank you. It’s not all thanks to me. It’s all thanks to you and your hard work.”

  We keep the rest of the conversation light and catch up on what’s going on in our lives until we finish our lunch and get back in the car. I stop her before she gets out when I pull in front of her condo.

  “I’m having a Christmas party for the kids at the hospital on Saturday. Come with?” I ask.

  She smiles, nodding. “Text me the details, and I’ll be there.”

  50

  Libby

  I collapse onto my bed and let out a long sigh. I couldn’t have had a better day with Knox at the children’s hospital. I didn’t want to leave. We handed out gifts, ate too much candy and cookies, and Knox sang every Christmas song known to man.

  There’s something about making other people feel better that lightens your mood and brightens your day. My problems seem so insignificant. Being there today told me I’m doing the right thing with my life. I want to help every child I can get into a safe and healthy home. If they’re sick, I will be at their side, doing everything in my power to make them feel better.

  Knox sits on the edge of my bed with his intense eyes pinned to me.

  “What are your intentions with me?” I ask.

  What Mia said has been on my mind.

  Does Knox have ulterior motives?

  He situates himself so that we’re facing each other. “I’m not sure if you want me to be honest with you.”

  “I certainly don’t want you to lie to me.”

  He clears his throat. “You cage yourself up and lock me out whenever I’m honest with you. You put a restraint against your heart in fear. I don’t want you to pull away.”

  I flinch at his response. “I don’t cage myself up,” I rebuttal. “I’m a realist. You can’t blame me for not wanting to live in some fairy tale.”

  “If you’re such a realist then be real and follow your heart. Realists don’t run from shit. They face the truth. They face reality. So until you decide to do that, you’re a pessimist.”

  I cross my legs and straighten up my back. “Then let’s face the truth. Secret of the day. Tell me what’s on your mind.”

  “My intentions are to win you back,” he confesses, no bullshit. “I’m fighting to prove to you that you want it as much as I do. You know I’m in love with you, deeply, madly, and passionately in love with you, and I know you love me. Sometimes it takes longer for your mind to open up and listen to your heart. I understand you want space, but my intentions are to let you have your space but share it with me at the same time. You saw … you felt … how happy we were on tour. We can do that again. We can have a great and happy life together.”

  I open my mouth, ready to keep building up those walls, but he stops me. “I’m still telling you my
secret,” he goes on. “I’m off tour. You’re close to graduating. Nothing is holding us back, except for you making up your mind on whether you want to live life happy or scared.”

  Damn, that was some secret.

  There’s no way telling him I’m afraid of the dark will top that.

  I rake a hand through my hair. “You’re still going to be traveling,” I start to ramble. “I’ll be focusing on work here. The sun might not come out tomorrow. It’ll never work.” His hand disappears into his pocket, and he pulls out his phone. “What are you doing?”

  His lips tilt into a smile. “I’m searching for the exact definition of pessimism.”

  I snatch his phone from him. “Funny.”

  He blows out a long breath, the smile fading, and something else appears. Determination. “You’re never going to be happy if you’re always thinking about the “what if’s.” What if the world ends tomorrow? What if I get tricked into selling my voice to Ursula and can never sing again?”

  I roll my eyes and slap his shoulder. “Oh my God.”

  “I’m serious! Do you think it’s smart to quit right now because there’s a chance it can happen? Anything can happen. There’s so much shit that can change our life in a second. If something terrible happens, we deal with it when it happens – together. Adversities are much easier to go through when you have someone at your side.”

  “You know it’s hard for me to put myself out there. You know why!”

  He places his hand on his chest. “It’s hard for me just as much! But I did it for you.” He scoots in closer and moves his hand to my chest, right over my heart. “I gave you a part of me that you can easily break, but I know I’m in good hands. Do the same for me.”

  I’ve been so fearful of him playing games with my heart and hurting me that I never thought that I was the one causing pain for the both of us.

  My fear is hurting him.

  It’s now or never, Libby.

  I can’t continue to live my life afraid of love. I can’t retire my heart when I haven’t even given it a chance to work properly.

  I look down at his hand on my chest, my heart pounding against my rib cage right underneath it, and I’m finally connecting with the love I have for him. Love should come first before everything.

  “I love you, Libby, more than words can describe. I could write a million songs, and it still wouldn’t say enough. I want us to be together. I will do everything in my power to make it work.”

  I place my hand over his as tears start to fall from my eyes. “I love you, Knox. You own me – mind, body, and soul, and I will give you my all. Be patient with me, but know that I’ll be here. There’s no more leaving, no more turning my back.”

  “That’s all I’m asking for – for you to give me you.” He pulls my hand from his and brings it to his lips. “Now let’s go furniture shopping for our new house.”

  “What?” I stutter out.

  “You heard me. I put in an offer on the house, and they accepted it. You’re moving in, and babe, you better listen when I say it will not be in the guest house.”

  I giggle as he helps me up and drags me into his arms.

  My heart feels full.

  He pulls away when his phone beeps and reads the text on the screen. I notice his hands start to shake.

  “What is it?” I ask.

  He swallows a few times before answering. “They found my guitar.”

  I suck in a breath and cover my mouth. I’ve been looking everywhere for it, and I’m so glad he’s going to get it back. “Thank God. I’m so happy, you have no idea.”

  “Two things I love have been brought back to me today. This is the best day of my life.”

  51

  Knox

  It sucks I can’t be sitting in the crowd watching her like everyone else, but this is her day, and there’s no way I’m letting myself take that away from her. I won’t let this celebration be about me.

  Which is why I’m sitting in a back office watching the ceremony about to start from a TV screen as they record it.

  “Would you like a drink or something?” the woman who escorted me in asks as she stands in the doorway.

  I hold up my bottle of water. “I’m good, and thank you for doing this.”

  She grins. “It’s no problem. We appreciate it. A celebrity in the crowd would take away from what these students have been working hard for.”

  I relax in the chair and watch the introduction, the valedictorian speech, and all of that good stuff. My back straightens, my legs spreading wide, when they hit Libby’s row.

  I throw my hands up and pride fuels through me when they call her name and she walks across the stage. Her smile spreads from ear to ear when she’s given her diploma, and she looks into the camera and blows me a kiss before going down the stairs.

  She did it.

  My girl is now a college graduate. She’s already secured a job with the Los Angeles CPS department, and she’s set to start next week. She’s going to change the lives of children, and I can’t wait to ride along with her on that journey.

  She’s already taken one with me. It’s time I do the same for her.

  “Happy graduation!”

  I untie the blindfold covering Libby’s eyes, allowing it to fall to the ground, and wait in excitement for her reaction.

  She jerks back to look at me, her eyes searching mine. “Wait … what?” she stutters out. “What is this? Are we moving?”

  I take her hand and lead her up the walkway to the white house with blue shutters. It’s a large home, equipped with ten bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and two large family rooms, so there will be plenty of space for everyone.

  There’s a SOLD sticker slapped across the For Sale sign in the front lawn, and I’m planning on replacing the sign with something else when she decides on a name.

  Libby’s dad got out of prison a few weeks ago and has been helping me get everything ready for this day. It’s been a pain in the ass trying to keep it a secret, but Mia did a great job of distracting her. The reaction on her face tells me she had no idea.

  “This is a home where you can start a foundation that gives children somewhere safe to go until they can get a foster family or adopted.” A white Honda pulls up, and I wait for the woman to get out of her car and reach us before I keep going. “This is Trish. Her, along with two others, will be the house moms here. There will be an adult here twenty-four-seven so the children will be well taken care of.”

  “Are you being serious right now?”

  I nod. “You said you wanted to give kids more hope. We have to start somewhere. I think this can be our somewhere.”

  Her hand falls to her chest, and her gorgeous blue eyes start to well up. A gush of breath leaves me when she wraps her arms around me and starts to jump up and down.

  “Thank you,” she chokes out when she pulls away. She swipes the tears from her face. “This is the best present anyone has ever given me.”

  “We don’t have a name for it yet,” I tell her, circling my arm around her waist and bringing her into my side. “I wanted it to be your choice.”

  She covers her mouth. “I don’t know …”

  “What about The Pop Rock Foundation?” her dad suggests, coming up behind us.

  “What’s that?” she asks.

  “The pop star fell in love with the princess of rock. Pop Rock.”

  “The Pop Rock Foundation,” she repeats. “I love it.”

  52

  Libby

  TEN YEARS LATER

  I step out of the car into the suffocating Houston heat and smile when I notice the bicycles scattered along the circular driveway.

  Just a typical day at the Rivers’ home.

  I keep telling them one of these days someone isn’t going to be paying attention and run them over. But kids will be kids, and mine seem to have selective hearing.

  I carefully shut the door behind me and peek into the backseat window.

  She’s nervously biting her finger
nails and looking down at her lap. She was quiet the entire ride here, giving us brief one-word answers, and I hope she starts to open up more.

  She did when I found her, telling me everything that happened in her six years of life, and it still pains me when I think about it.

  She’s out of her comfort zone, and it’ll probably take her a few months to adjust to living here, but I want her to love it.

  I wave my hand towards me, asking her to come out, and she does. She straightens out her new pink dress and starts to play with the bottom of her dark braid.

  “Welcome to your new home,” I tell her.

  She looks up at me with wide brown eyes. “This … this is where I’m going to be living?” she whispers, and I nod. “It’s like a castle.”

  “A castle fit for a princess.”

  A lopsided grin spreads on her face.

  I was given Nola’s case two months ago when police were called to a home after someone complained about a rancid smell coming from their neighbor’s house. Fury raged through me when I walked in. She was living in absolute filth, severely underweight, only thirty pounds at six years old, and born to a pair of addicts whom only cared about their next high instead of their child’s dinner or nightly bath. Needles and syringes littered the home, along with animal feces and cockroaches.

  I had to get her out of there.

  It took me a month to go through the court system and legally adopt her.

  She’s our fourth child. We had our first baby girl eight years ago and then decided to go the adoption route. We have two homes – one in LA and this one here in Houston, where we tend to spend most of our time. Knox had a custom studio built in the house, so he does most of his work from here. We built right next to Estelle, so the kids always have a fresh supply of cookies.

  We’ve extended the Pop Rock Foundation into twelve different states with twenty-four houses. Sixteen more are in the plans to go up in the next five years.