“If you get scared or nervous, just look at me, okay? Sing for me like you do every night. I’ll sing for you.” Since that first time she hummed for me, she has slowly given me more. Every night as her fingers weave through my hair, she gives me more of that sultry voice that’s as sweet as a lullaby.
“Why is this so important to you?”
“Because you’re crazy talented, baby. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard anyone as good as you. It needs to be shared. Step one to breaking you out of your shell, you did on your own. You sing for me. Now we need to get you to sing for an audience. But this doesn’t really count. Look,” I gesture to the tables around the bar, “there are less than fifty people here, and you’re singing with me. We can even do it with the track if you want.”
“How am I supposed to say no to those blue eyes?” she asks as she gently strokes my cheek.
I drop my forehead to hers with a sigh as my eyes close, rememberingthe first woman who said those words to me. “Easy. You don’t.”
The next few weeks flew by in a blur.I spent more time at my dad’s place, even bringing Quinn with me when I could. It wasn’t easy. It seemed every visit he was worse. But we talked more in the last few weeks than we did for most of my life.
I stand out on Bastian’s balcony, smoking a cigarette and waiting on Quinn to get home. The river is choppy today. A storm is blowing in, and an uneasy feeling settles in my chest. My mind has been a wreck today for no reason. This sense of foreboding has felt like a heavy blanket over my soul.
I grab my phone, looking through the missed calls and texts because I’m still avoiding everyone, but I’ve kept it on for my dad and Callie.
My gut twists every time I see the missed calls. Especially Ryder. He got out of rehab a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve dodged most of his calls. I knew I had to talk to him soonafter he told Bastian he’d be here in a month if he didn’t hear from me. Honestly, if I don’t go home soon, he’ll be here anyway.
I may not want to be a burden on Ryder, but I know he misses me. I miss him too. Not seeing him has been hard. I’ve tried to hang onto my resolve, but he’s been my best friend for nearly two decades. Quitting him is nearly as hard as quitting heroin.
I also feel guilty about the calls I’ve dodged from Dane. The guy has been more of a brother to me than my own. Not that it’s their fault, but still, Dane’s and my relationship is stronger, built on a foundation of trust and loyalty.
A few missed calls from Liam. I know he’s worried too, not just as our manager, but as my friend. Jake and Angel have also called.
I start to put my phone back in my pocket when it starts ringing. My stomach clenches before I even see the name. It roils like the storm brewing over the city when Callie’s name flashes across the screen.
That sense of foreboding has turned to utterly indescribable dread. My hands shake as I tap the icon and bring the phone to my ear. My heart shatters before she says the first word. Her sobs say everything.
“He’s gone, Madsy. I went in to take him his supper and—”
“Shh,” I say to her, trying to control my emotions while consoling her. “It’s going to be okay. He was ready.” My voice breaks on the last words as I fight back the tears.
“But I wasn’t, Madsy. It felt like I finally had a dad, and now he’s gone.”
I understood well. I knew exactly how she felt. Maybe more so because while Dad wasn’t the most attentive with any of us, Callie was his princess.
“I know, Callie. I know. I’ll be over as soon as Quinn gets here.”
“Okay, Madsy.”
I hang up the phone, trying hard to control the raging emotions burning through me. My mind feels like it’s moving in a million different directions, splintering and shattering right along with my heart.
The balcony door opens, and I feel her behind me. She wraps her arms around me from behind, laying her head against my back. “What did the doctor say?” I ask, not ready to divulge my heartbreak just yet.
After spending the last couple of days not feeling well and spending nearly every waking minute in the bathroom, with Verity’s help, I managed to convince her to go to the doctor.
“He said I’m pregnant,” she whispers in a dreamy tone.
And the bough breaks.
I know that you tried
Present
“Go ahead, Maddox,” Bryan tells me as I press the plunger of the needle, “just a little more, and we can go.”
“Yeah,” I tell him as my lids flutter. “We can go. There’s nothing left to tell. I just want to write them each a letterreally quick.”
He throws his hands in the air in exasperation. “Isn’t that what you’ve been doing for days?”
