As the night wears on, the conversation flows. Hannah and the others fire off questions to Wes about his adventures. He eats it up and shares story after story. Hannah lights up as he recounts his near-death experiences and daring escapes. A few times, women come to our table to ask Wes for his photograph. He obliges them and gives them a light touch or kiss. I sit back, drinking my beer. Maddie is quiet, too, her fingers tracing the edge of her glass. Every so often, her gaze flicks in my direction. I might just be imagining it.
“All right, it’s an open call for the piano.” An energetic man announces to the crowd as he wheels a well-worn piano to the stage. “Any brave souls out there who want to play tonight?”
Hannah’s face lights up as she turns to Maddie. “You have to,” she urges Maddie. “Come on.”
“No way,” she murmurs. Her cheeks burn bright pink, but her fingers twitch in her lap.
“Don’t be shy,” Wes says, his voice full of enthusiasm. “You’ll be incredible.”
Hannah grabs Maddie’s hand, pulling her to her feet. “I know you can play. Let’s see you blow them away.”
I sit up straighter as Maddie allows herself to be led to the stage. Compared to the loud, intoxicated crowd, she’s so small and quiet. Fighting an urge to get up and start corralling them away from her, I stay put, eager to see what she does. Hannah returns and lifts her arms, hands in fists, cheering Maddie on.
Maddie scoots around on the stool for a few minutes, getting comfortable, as she nervously glances over the bar. Returning her gaze to the piano, she takes a deep breath. Her hands hover above the keys, and she begins to play. The tempo is tentative at first but grows stronger. The song’s melody envelops the silent crowd like a spell. Maddie’s slender shoulders rise and fall as she strikes the keys.
I can’t look away. Her emotion pours through every note, raw and unfiltered.
The room erupts into applause when the song ends. I’ve stopped breathing. My heart is racing.
Maddie rises and makes her way back to the table.
She’s only a few steps away when a man stumbles into her path, his drink sloshing precariously close to her dress. “Well, aren’t you special?” he slurs, reaching out toward her. “Can I get your autograph, pretty girl?”
Maddie freezes, eyes wide.
I don’t think. I’m on my feet, closing the distance between us.
“Get away from her.”
The man blinks, swaying as he registers my presence.
Wes stands, too. “You heard him, buddy. It’s time to move along.”
Without a fight, the drunk mutters, and stumbles away. Maddie is trembling. I brush my hand across the back of her neck and rest it on her shoulder.
“Are you okay?”
Her skin is still flushed. “Yes, thank you.” Her gaze moves between me and Wes. “Both of you.”
There’s a loud crash. Chaos erupts near the bar. A swarm of drunk tourists and locals shout, their argument escalating into a full-blown scuffle. Chairs topple, glass shatters, and everyone nearby scrambles to get out of the way.
“Here we go,” Jamie says, shaking his head. He stands with Liam, getting ready for anyone coming our way.
Maddie and Hannah don’t need to be in the middle of this.
I turn toward Wes. “Go home. Get them out of here.” I tip my head toward them.
Wes guides them toward the open beach. I stay behind, stepping into the fight with Jamie and Liam.
“Calm down. Take it somewhere else if you need to.”
By the time the police arrive, the crowd has dissipated. As I give my statement, my mind drifts to Maddie—the melody she played, the softness of her features, and the way her eyes lingered on mine. For a fleeting moment, she’d looked at me as a man she could rely on, and I’d liked how it felt—a lot.
My body burns with thoughts I shouldn’t entertain. I remind myself she’s not for me. No one is. The truth settles in my chest, heavy and unshakable, lingering long after the bar falls silent. I get into my truck and drive home.
Chapter 6
Maddie
