Phase (Phoebe Reede: The Untold Story #1) by Michelle Irwin Read Free Book Online Page B

on all the time.”
    Mum leant forward and placed her hand over mine. “I probably understand that more than you think, honey. When your dad first came back into our lives, I saw pretty quickly what life was going to be like at his side. I mean, the very first family outing he took us on, he was mobbed by fans wanting autographs.”
    Dad’s smile fell, and as if she saw it—despite him being behind her—Mum’s hand left mine and reached for his. It was a reminder of how in tune they were, even after more than fourteen years together. Maybe because of it.
    “Not that I minded, of course,” she said as she turned to give him one of the smiles she reserved just for him. “This life. Everything we have, it was worth it. But that’s a choice I made, and racing was a choice your dad made. You never really had the opportunity to choose this life. Not the fame part of it at least. It was thrust on you long before you were ready, and yet you’ve stepped up and faced every challenge with such grace.” Her eyes were soft as she looked at me, all the things she hadn’t said burning in her gaze.
    The sight made my throat close over with emotion. Despite the petty issues I had, I really did have awesome parents, role models in every sense. That wasn’t enough to make me want to change my course, though. If anything, it made me want to do it more. I wanted to be sorted, to know what came next before I did something wrong.
    “And that’s probably why we load you up with stuff far more than is fair. You’re a lot like your dad.”
    I rolled my eyes and sank back into the chair at the all-too-familiar statement.
    Mum chuckled. “Because,” she emphasised the word to stop my temper. “You both internalise so much. When you’ve finally had too much, you snap. It’s not a bad thing, honey, just how you are,” she added when I frowned at her.
    It was like she knew me better than I knew myself. She probably did—she’d been dealing with both me and Dad long enough.
    “I think one other thing we’ve taken for granted is how wonderful you really have been. We’ve never had to put up with any massive arguments or teenage rebellion.”
    Dad looked like he was going to argue.
    “And pink hair dye and black nail polish don’t count as rebellion,” Mum said, countering his argument before he even issued it.
    Even if I hadn’t known his distaste for my chosen hair colour, his reaction to her words—slumping away again as if he had nothing else to contribute—spoke volumes.
    “And?” I prompted, waiting for her to reach the conclusion I knew we were speeding toward. The “we don’t think you’re old enough to go to the US alone” conclusion.
    “And I think that a couple of months alone overseas will be good for you.”
    “But—” The arguments I’d been preparing during her speech left me. “What?”
    “What?” Dad exclaimed at the same time, clearly demonstrating his irritation at Mum’s betrayal. It was odd for Mum to side with me over him—usually, he’d take my side in everything, which meant Mum either agreed with us both or he would fight her for me. Despite his assurance that if Mum was okay with me going overseas, he’d be okay with it too, it was evident he wasn’t even close to okay.
    “Really?” I all but squealed before remembering most of the kids in the house were asleep.
    “On the proviso that you find someone to go with you. And that you’re back in time for your next race at the end of July, because you’ve got a commitment to the team.”
    I couldn’t stop grinning as I leapt from the table and wrapped my arms around her neck. “Thank you!”
    Before he could argue, or try putting his foot down, I moved to Dad and gave him a hug too, repeating my thanks.
    “I’m going to call Angel and see if she can come with me!” I took off before either of them could change their minds. If I had my way, I’d have my tickets booked before I went to sleep that night. At least that way, there