Something True Read Online Free Page B

did? Cool. You never know when Raffi is going to come surging back.”
    “I also called Mom. She wants us to come over for a celebration dinner.”
    “Oh? Did she mention again how I wasted my college degree playing at the library?” Shelley’s parents weren’t against her musical career but they hadn’t been overly encouraging, either.
    “Come on, Shelley. You know she’s moved past that.”
    “Mmm, I suppose.” Shelley didn’t believe it yet. Her parents thought she should obtain an advanced degree in early childhood development and start writing pop psychology books on child rearing and using music to accelerate learning. Her father constantly reminded her that there was good money to be made in non-fiction.
    Kate rushed on. “How many downloads do you think that is? Am I crass to wonder how much money you’ve made?”
    Shelley chuckled. “No. Not since I know it’s because you want me to be able to pay my rent and not end up sacked out on your couch.”
    “You could use a new car, too,” Kate suggested. Shelley’s car wasn’t a rattletrap, but it had a lot of miles on it.
    Shelley rolled her eyes. “I don’t think it’s new car money.”
    “It’s still amazing. When should we celebrate? I’ll bring cake.”
    “Ah, you do bake a mean cake. Let me get back to you, okay?”
    “Sounds like a plan.”
    Shelley ended the call and her thoughts turned to Liam, even though she didn’t want to think about him. He made her feel excited and queasy all at the same time. He’d come into the KC’s Kidz office several times, working hard on each occasion and stopping by to chat.
    To Shelley’s overactive imagination, it almost seemed like he sought her out for conversation. Don’t be silly , she admonished herself. Liam was trying to polish up his image, and she was a means to an end. She wondered why a little part of her didn’t want to believe it.

Chapter 3
    Liam poked his head into Shelley’s office. “I want to go with you to the hospital, and I won’t take no for an answer.”
    Shelley shrugged as she threw a few papers into her messenger bag and zipped it closed. “Okay.”
    Shelley’s quick capitulation made him suspicious, but he was eager for the opportunity to show her what he could do. Or maybe just to show off. He resisted the impulse to take her hand as they headed down the hall. He doubted she’d welcome it yet. Shelley was a puzzle—a beautiful puzzle he felt compelled to solve.
    They exited the building onto the sidewalk. “Shall we take my car?” Liam loved his Ferrari. The engine purred like a cat and the car hugged the ground like a lover.
    “Err …” Shelley’s steps slowed.
    The low-slung vehicle was none too roomy, but Liam liked the intimacy it created—with the right passenger. “It drives like a dream.”
    Shelley perked up. “You’re going to let me drive?”
    Liam looked pained. He never let anyone drive his car.
    Shelley laughed. “Don’t worry, Speed Racer. Will both guitars fit in the trunk?”
    Liam’s face fell. “Actually, no. I guess we’ll have to take your car.” Liam retrieved his guitar from the passenger seat and placed it in Shelley’s trunk. He held out his hand.
    “What?” Shelley asked.
    “The keys.” While Liam occasionally had a driver, especially while on tour, he preferred to drive himself.
    “The keys?” Shelley gave him a pointed gaze.
    “Let me drive.” Liam hated being a passenger. Being the driver seemed to cut down on the motion sickness he sometimes experienced, but he didn’t voice his weakness.
    Shelley smiled and rolled her eyes. She waved him off and climbed into the driver’s seat, leaving Liam standing behind the car.
    He jogged after her. “I’m serious. I’d be happy to drive us.”
    Shelley chuckled. “You’re so funny, trying to be all polite about it. You’re going to have to give up control. Enjoy being a passenger.” With a wicked smile, she slid into the driver’s seat and pulled the door shut.