“Yeah, I know the type. Like ‘I’ve got four parakeets,’ when you know for a fact they don’t, but also who the fuck lies about having birds?”
“That’s a real specific example, but yeah, exactly. And you can’t call people out on stuff like that or you look like the jerk.” I took another slug of beer.
Wes nodded and gulped down the rest of his bottle. “I hate guys like that. Don’t worry. If you want, I'll kick his ass.” He flexed and kissed his biceps. “These guns haven’t lost their bullets.”
“It amazes me that we’re related.”
Wes pushed my head and I pulled a punch to his gut.
“I better head out. The girls are probably threatening to tie Kelly up and break out the cookies.”
I laughed and walked him to the door.
“I’m glad you're back. It’s nice being able to stop by like this.” Wes squeezed the doorframe, checking the sturdiness all while avoiding my gaze.
“Yeah,” I said, sniffing once before stuffing my hands deep in my pockets. I wouldn’t be here for long. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that. Not right now.
“I hope you find what you’re looking for.” He held my gaze. “With the SOOK,” he added.
“Me too.”
Chapter 8
Let the music call you.
KIM
Iwiggled deeper into the sheets. I would let myself have just a few more minutes. Practice could wait. Swimming could wait. Just for a little while longer. My eyes wouldn’t open anyway, so if they went on strike, I was at their mercy. My head rested comfortably on a pillow that must work part-time as a cloud, and the heavy down comforter smelled like fresh laundry and sunshine.
I went back under with a contended sigh.
The next time I woke up I was a little more concerned about where I was. My eyes shot open and blinked away the sleep rapidly. I frowned at a vaulted ceiling I’d never seen. My fingers splayed out to grip a majestic duvet that wasn’t mine.
“Curious,” I said.
I turned my head to the side and spotted a few pieces of furniture. Too homey for a hotel, but lacking in personal touches. Guest room? It was lovely and comfortable, but it was still distressing not knowing where I was. I fought sleep to recall the events of the night before. My phone sat on the bedside table. I picked it up and found it charging. Next to that sat a plate of delectable looking scrambled eggs, with toast and orange juice.
I unplugged my phone and squinted at it until the screen came into focus. It was almost ten in the morning; much later than my usual wake time of five a.m.
I had one text.
“Eat the food. Drink the juice.” It was Devlin.
I sat up in bed with a racing heart. Wait, wait. Was I at Devlin’s house? The Devil of the Opera himself? Cloudy bits of nonsense started to return to me … the solo … Roddy … the champagne … ugh.
My hands trembled as I navigated to the group message with my parents to search for clues and let them know I was alive. I couldn’t imagine what they thought. To my immense relief, I saw that they had sent a goodnight text.
“Everything is good at home. Rest up. Call us later tomorrow after you talk to the Maestro.” TheyknewI was with Devlin. They wereokaywith it?
More hazy memories floated back in bits and pieces. Being carried away. Hearing my parents discuss a plan. Doc Thurston with a stethoscope checking my heart and shining a light in my eyes. Gosh, I had been so out of it.
I tossed my phone aside and scrubbed my face awake. Had Devlin carried me out? Imagining the hulking conductor gently carry me away sent a thrill through me. Next to me, the curtains were drawn on a large window. I looked down to discover I was in a set of comfortable cotton pajamas over the bra and underwear from last night. I remembered changing now, too. I let loose a long sigh and calmed myself down.
My stomach rumbled, and after making use of the attached bathroom, I dug into breakfast with no qualms. Maybe it was because I had grown accustomed to most of my choices being made for me. Maybe it was because I’d woken up in far worse rooms without any clue as to where I was. And this was certainly better than a hospital bed. Or maybe it was just knowing that Devlin was here. The Devil of the Symphony clearly cared if I could perform.
I felt a thousand times better with food in my stomach. My head still pounded, but I didn’t feel as awful as I thought I might today. I warred with myself over what to do next. I would have to tell Devlin my decision sooner or later, and that was a weight on my chest I couldn’t shake. First, I needed to find him.
Still in my pajamas, I crept to the door and cracked it open. Soft notes of a piano greeted my ears, far away but alluring. The melody was unfamiliar. It was gentle and flowing like a trickling stream, and it sent goosebumps down my arms. The music compelled me to walk down a hallway that ended with a banister overlooking a large open space. I was on an upper level. Below was a luxurious living room with expansive windows stretching from floor to ceiling. Tall pines lined the property outside, but beyond that, a heavy fog and overcast sky blocked any further views. It gave the chilling effect of being in a dream where there was no world outside the immediate area of this house. The drifting, seductive notes only added to the surrealness of this whole situation.
