Summer of Secrets Read Free

suddenly wasn’t sure. Brody made her feel … safe, she supposed. But more than that: he made her feel whole. It scared her and thrilled her at the same time.
    Brody was looking over her shoulder. “I can’t see any bogeymen,” he said. “No wild dogs or angry police officers either.”
    â€œI’m running away from my own head,” Rhi said shakily.
    Brody pulled her into a hug. “I like your head,” he said against her cheek. “Your body would look very strange without it.”
    Rhi closed her eyes and rested her face against his shoulder. He felt warm and solid. Waves of calm were already sweeping over her, soothing her aching heart. The connection that she and Brody had formed while writing songs and performing together was something truly special. But it went beyond the music. They both knew that.
    Rhi felt a shiver run through her as she remembered the single kiss she and Brody had shared. It had been electrifying. But they had agreed that a relationship might damage their professional partnership, and Rhi was determined not to do that. It had to be about the music, and nothing else.
    That’s what Rhi’s head told her. Her heart saw things a little differently. Rhi wanted more than anything to kiss Brody again; to forget every logical reason not to fall in love with him. She was already halfway there.
    â€œCome on,” he said, pulling away from her. “We have work to do – namely an entire playlist to put together by two o’clock this afternoon. Are you up to it?”
    Rhi suppressed her acute disappointment. “Of course. What’s the theme?”
    â€œSixties peace and love. It’s a great period for music. Lots of acoustic guitar in straightforward keys. It shouldn’t be a problem. We might even fit in some songwriting of our own.”
    â€œI could use some extra peace and love in my life right now,” Rhi said with a laugh. She plastered a smile on her face, unhooking her guitar. “Lead the way.”
    She and Brody had been working together with their music so much that Rhi’s dad had turned the Heartbeat’s attic space into a practice room for them both. It was Rhi’s haven, with its sloping ceilings and its view of the sea. They had comfy chairs in there, and a kettle, and a generous supply of biscuits.
    Rhi collapsed on one of the chairs, letting the sun warm her face through the window. “So who’s getting married this time?” she asked.
    â€œA couple of pensioners.”
    Rhi felt surprised. They hadn’t done an older wedding before. “Seriously?”
    â€œWhat’s so surprising about that?” Brody laughed. “The theme should have given you a clue. Older people can find love too, you know. It’s at the Grand Hotel this afternoon.”
    Rhi felt tears blurring her eyes. “That’s nice,” she said, a little squeakily.
    A frown appeared on Brody’s face. “Something’s wrong, isn’t it? Don’t deny it, I know you too well.”
    He did know her well, Rhi thought. Singing with someone, baring your soul day in, day out – it gave away your secrets a lot more than just plain friendship.
    â€œIt’s my parents,” she said quietly.
    He grimaced. “Fighting again?”
    â€œWorse than that. Dad’s moving out.”
    It sounded so final, saying the words out loud. Brody looked upset.
    â€œRhi, I’m really sorry. That must suck.”
    Rhi wished he wasn’t so good at listening. It made it a lot harder keeping her feelings for him under control. “They’ve been unhappy for years,” she said, trying to shrug. “Maybe it’s for the best.”
    Brody came to sit beside her. “Maybe. But I’m sure that’s hard to understand right now.”
    A lot of things were hard to understand right now, Rhi thought wearily. Parents. Geography revision. Chris McAllister’s letter. The