He paused outside the dressing room. “I’m probably overstepping here, but I know this isn’t dehydration.” He sighed. “When did you eat last?”
She was too wobbly to argue. At the moment, all she wanted was a chair and some water or juice. “Sawyer—”
“You spend all your time worrying about looking and acting perfect, keeping the peace, and being a good role model. What do you do for yourself?”
It was hard to make eye contact with him. “Sawyer, you’re worrying over nothing.”
“That’s bullshit.” He was scowling now, dropping the inflatable guitar and gently grasping her upper arms. “You’re making yourself sick for the approval of a woman you’ll never make happy.”
All she could do was stare now. “Momma’s never—”
“I shouldn’t have said that.” His jaw muscle tightened. “You are harming yourself, Emmy Lou. I can’t stand by and do nothing. I won’t.” There was surprising tenderness in his blue-green eyes. “My…job is to protect you from harm.”
“Emmy Lou?” Her daddy was headed their way. He didn’t look happy. “What’s going on?”
Sawyer’s hands slid free of her arms and he stepped back, all traces of emotion wiped away.
“One of you better start talking.” Daddy’s voice was razor-sharp. “Now.”
“I got dizzy.” That was true. But the rest of it stuck in her throat. Old habits die hard. Denying she had a problem, hiding the truth, was an old habit. She knew lying wouldn’t make this better. Then again, neither would telling the truth. “He helped me off the stage.”
By now, Jace, Krystal, and Travis had almost reached them, but their pace slowed when they heard their father. Daddy’s anger was a rare occurrence.
“That’s what the two of you were talking about? I don’t buy it.” Daddy’s voice rose. “I don’t want to lose you, son. I appreciate how hard you work and your loyalty; you know that. But I can’t have lines getting blurred here.”
The muscle in Sawyer’s jaw tightened. For anyone else, it wouldn’t have been noticeable. But for Sawyer and his stoicism, that muscle twitch said more than words.
“I need to know what the hell is going on, Emmy Lou. I won’t have any more secrets in my house.” Daddy met Sawyer’s gaze. “Otherwise, you’ll have to find yourself a new job.”
Sawyer’s gaze dropped.
“Daddy.” She wouldn’t lose her brother over this. She’d lost too much already. “He was doing his job. He noticed I… I’m not… I don’t eat. He told me to take care of myself.” She spit the words out. “I try, I do, but…he didn’t do a thing wrong. I did.”
Daddy was staring at her, confusion and sadness creasing his forehead and tugging down the corners of his mouth. “What are you saying, baby girl?”
“Oh, Daddy.” She shook her head, sucking in a wavering breath. “I know you’re upset, but this isn’t the right time or place for this.” Another breath. “It’s probably best to talk this through tomorrow. When we’ve had some sleep and no one’s waiting on us. Please.”
Daddy shook his head. “I don’t give a damn about the people waiting. You and your brother and sister—nothing matters more to me. You hear me, Emmy Lou? Nothing. You three are my pride and joy.” He cleared his throat, his gaze searching hers. “Your whole life, you’ve never broken a promise. So I’m asking you to promise me we’ll work this out together. Whatever it takes to get you help, get you eating. Promise me?”
Emmy Lou had big, fat tears rolling down her cheeks. “I promise.” It was a whisper. “But I do care about the people waiting. You know I can’t let them down.”
He pulled her in again, holding her and patting her back. “I know. I know. All right. Tomorrow, then.” He sighed, his hold tightening. “It’s going to be fine. We’ll figure this out.”
She clun
g to him. “I know, Daddy.”
Daddy cleared his throat. “Sawyer.” He eased his hold on Emmy Lou and stepped forward, holding out his hand. “I’m sorry, son. All you’ve ever done was take care of my family and I jumped down your throat for it.”
“She’s your daughter.” Sawyer’s gaze met Daddy’s. “This is my job. Protecting her.”
Daddy nodded, shaking Sawyer’s hand, then pulling him in for a quick one-armed hug that ended just as soon as it began. It only lasted a second, but Emmy Lou saw the flash of longing on Sawyer’s face. She ached for him—for them both.
“I’ll find Melanie so she can get you what you need.” Sawyer headed down the hall.
“I’ll stall them a minute. You go sit, take your time, and come on down when you’re ready.” Daddy patted her cheek. “You good?”
She nodded.