“Let me grab my stuff.” I darted to my room and picked up my purse and a small bag I’d packed earlier today.
I smiled up at him as he ushered me to his car.
As he maneuvered through traffic, he peeked at me and asked, “What was going on when I arrived?”
“What do you mean?” I hedged.
“You were trembling, and you looked so … out of sorts. Almost frightened. Did you remember something?” He changed lanes.
“The police stopped by today. They had some mugshots they wanted me to look at. Trystan had already gone through them and recognized one of the guys. The detectives hoped I did. But I didn’t.” I sighed heavily and stared out at the passing traffic. The flickering brake lights were hypnotic.
Cade reached over and squeezed my knee. “I’m sure they can arrest him based on Trevor’s ID.”
“You mean Trystan.” Before he could say more, I continued, “You won’t believe what they asked me.”
“What?” Cade asked, making a right turn toward his building.
“They wanted to know if I’d borrowed money from some loan shark. I think they said Tony Casteel or something like that was his name.” I watched his reaction because he’d know if I was capable of borrowing money like that.
His jaw tightened, and his eyes widened. Cade glanced over at me for a second before giving his attention back to the traffic. “A loan shark? Why?”
“The guy Trystan picked from the photos is apparently the muscle for Tony. But they had to have mixed me up with someone else.” I wasn’t sure if I was trying to convince myself or Cade that it was all a mistake.
He pulled into the parking garage. In silence, we made our way into the elevator and up to the penthouse. Outside Cade’s door was a stack of mail. “Mr. Jarvis said he’d bring the mail up when I called to check in earlier.”
Cade leaned over to scoop up the colored rectangles of paper.
“Any RSVPs in there?” I asked.
“No. But there is something for you.” He handed me a package with only my name on the front and no postage stamp.
With the door unlocked, we went inside. I carried the mysterious padded envelope to the couch. Using two fingers, I pulled on the tab to open the top. When I peered inside, I couldn’t make out what the bulky shape was. I reached in and removed my wallet. A frown took over my face. My thumb flicked open the snap, letting the leather satchel fall open. Inside was my money, my driver’s license, my credit cards, smiling photos of everyone I loved. Nothing was missing.
I turned the envelope upside down, but there was nothing else inside. No note or anything explaining the reappearance of my stolen wallet.
I dropped it on the coffee table, completely freaked out. My heart roared in my ears.
“Willa, what’s wrong?” Cade dashed to my side. “You’re white as a ghost.”
“Th-that was in the package.” I pointed to the table.
Cade picked up my wallet. His brow furrowed in confusion.
“That’s the one that was stolen with my purse,” I whispered.
“Maybe someone found it and returned it out of the goodness of their heart,” Cade reasoned, wrapping me up in his arms.
“The address on my driver’s license is my apartment, not yours. And if someone was returning it to be nice, wouldn’t they leave a note?” I trembled in his hold. “It was them. The guys who attacked me. They know where I am.”
“I’ll protect you,” he vowed, rubbing my back to comfort me. “We should get the rest of your stuff and move you in here. There’s a doorman at the main entrance, so no one can get to you here. You’ll be safe.”
I swiped at the tears leaking out of my eyes. “I did some thinking while you were gone. I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to live with you. At least not until I remember what I did. Remember what I need forgiveness for. It’s been driving me crazy.”
Cade tipped my face up with a finger under my chin. “Hey, I thought we were going to let that go and move past it. You know, focus on now and our love,” he said, thumbing away the stream of tears flowing.
I gave him a sad smile. “I want to. Really, I do. But knowing I did something horrible enough that I thought I needed to call off our wedding … It’s something I can’t just let go,” I admitted forlornly.
Cade peered at me contemplatively. He seemed to come to a decision. “Since it seems to matter so much to you, I’ll tell you what I know. Which is only what you told me.” He took my hands in his. “Are you sure you want to know?”
“Yes,” I exclaimed.
Taking both my hands in his, he said, “The night you gave me your ring back … the night before your attack …” He swallowed hard. “You told me you couldn’t in good conscience marry me because you’d been cheating.” The last word was spoken so softly, I had to have misheard him.
“What? Are you sure?” I asked, trying to tug my hands from his.
He held on tighter.
“I only know what you said.” He shook his head in disbelief. “I never imagined you’d do something like that. It was a sucker punch. Knocked the wind right out of me. I tried to get you to stay that night and talk things out, but you were so overwhelmed with your guilt that you couldn’t even look at me.” His thumb stroked over the soft skin between my thumb and index finger. “I’d fully intended to give you a couple of days and then talk things out with you. Because even with a betrayal like that, I couldn’t convince myself to stop loving you.” His voice was so sad, yet hopeful.
Tears rolled down my cheeks and dripped from my jaw. I couldn’t imagine in what situation I’d ever cheat on anyone, let alone the man I’d loved for three years. “I can’t believe I did that. I’m so sorry,” I murmured and stared down at my lap. Shame filled every cell of my being.
Cade tipped my chin up, forcing me to meet his stare. “I’ve already forgiven you. I would’ve been perfectly fine with you never remembering a thing about this. I hoped we could pretend it never happened and move on with our fairy tale. That’s why I haven’t told anyone about it—not our parents or our friends. Because I hoped we’d move past it, and no one would have to know.”
The prospect of our friends and family thinking poorly of me broke my heart. “I don’t know if I told anyone. No one is telling me things because of what the doctor said. Thank you for telling me and for not holding it against me. I never imagined you’d be so forgiving.”
He wiped more of my tears away and pulled me onto his lap. Soothing fingers stroked down my back.
“You don’t know who I was seeing? No one has tried to call me that I don’t know,” I said, trying to force my broken mind to recall the mystery man.
“You didn’t say. And I hadn’t suspected anything, so I wasn’t snooping. But I guess he probably lives somewhere in the area where you were attacked. It would explain why you were in that part of the city.” His voice held not one hint of anger over my betrayal. It was a testament to the kind of man he was.
“Can you take me back to my apartment? I can’t stay here. Not until I can figure out why I would do that to you. It’s not fair to you,” I explained sadly.
“If that’s what you really want, then yes. But you don’t have to go. Willa, we can get through this.” Cade’s gaze implored me to believe him.
But I couldn’t. Not yet.
Our ride back to the apartment I shared with Syd was done in complete silence. Cade held my hand tightly in his, keeping our fingers intertwined like he was afraid I was slipping away.
He deposited me outside my door and left me with a kiss on the cheek.
Inside, the lights were off. Syd wasn’t home yet. I headed straight to bed. I couldn’t tell my best friend what I’d done. Syd hated cheaters, and I’d be devastated if she hated me.
24
Trystan
Monday morning, I found myself on the subway heading to Matthews’ Melodies. Mack had conference called the entire band Friday afternoon to summon us to a meeting today with some other lab
el people today. Nerves made me fidget in my seat the whole ride.
Rafe and Nix were pacing a hole in the sidewalk when I arrived a little while later.
“You guys ready?” I asked, giving each of them a one-armed bro hug.
“As we’ll ever be,” Nix said while Rafe remained oddly silent.
“Let’s do this then.” I strode to the door and led the way to the receptionist when I didn’t see Mack waiting for us.
“Hi. Mack called down a few minutes ago and told me to send you up to the twelfth-floor conference room. Do you know where that is?” the stunning Asian woman asked.
I shook my head.
She grabbed a sticky note and a pen. “Take the main elevator to the twelfth floor. When you get off, go to the right. The conference room is the second door on the left.” She handed me the small neon orange square with the directions she’d transcribed as she spoke.
Off we went, ready to meet our future head on. Before my nerves had time to settle, we were approaching the conference room where Mack waited outside for us.
“There’s my next big sensation,” he announced boisterously as he shook our hands. “Come on in. Almost everyone is here.”
I followed him into a very posh conference room. The view behind the windows was breathtaking and worthy of the prestige of the label. The table was long and reflected the overhead lights. Plush leather seats were spaced around the table. I froze as my gaze collided with Cade’s at the far end of the table.
Mack sank down in one of the vacant chairs and indicated the three of us should sit as well.
After a couple more people shuffled in and the door was shut, Mack quickly made the introductions. Cade gave no indication that we’d met before, so I didn’t say anything either.
A man in an expensive gray suit at the end closest to me spoke up, “Trystan, Nix, Rafe, I think I speak for everyone around this table, hell all of Matthews’ Melodies, when I say we’re thrilled by the opportunity to work with Tryst Disrupted. I loved your songs and can’t wait to hear more.”
“Thank you. It’s an honor to be given a chance to work with your label,” I said.
“I’ll have legal draft up a formal contract. But this document outlines the general terms we use for most contracts with undiscovered talent. We’re also prepared to offer you a bonus for two singles ready to release this month,” Cade said as he slid a stack of papers our way.
I took one and gave copies to Rafe and Nix. We all read the bonus amount and stared at each other. I blink and look again. The figure was more than I’d ever imagined. My share would be enough to make a real difference. I couldn’t wait to tell Mom.
“We’ll get you drafts of the contract later this week and schedule the studio time for the singles,” Mack said as everyone stood.
Each person spoke to us on their way out the door. Cade was last. He held his hand out to shake mine. “Small world. You and your band have real talent. I’m really looking forward to working with you. I think you guys would make a nice addition to the Matthews’ Melodies family.” With that, he walked away down a different corridor than the one we would use to leave.
Mack accompanied us back to the first-floor lobby. The guys were riding the high of our good fortune. I couldn’t bring myself to tell them about having met Cade before or what kind of person I knew him to be. Nix and Rafe wanted to go celebrate, but I had to go talk to my mom. Give her something to be hopeful about.
The ride to Hassenfield seemed to take forever—probably because I was so anxious to share my news. When I finally arrived, I didn’t even bother to admire the enormous statue out front of the dalmatian balancing a taxicab on its nose. Inside, I strode past the multi-colored mural on the wall behind the admissions desk. The administrator behind the circular desk waved as I passed. I’d been in and out of this place enough over the past few years that most of the staff knew me.
My finger jabbed at the elevator call button several times. The doors finally slid open to reveal an empty car. I rode to the fourth floor alone. I glanced down the hallway to my destination. I had to get ready before I could go there. I headed over to the nurses’ station. I grabbed what I needed and stepped out of the flow of traffic. Leaning down, I slipped the paper booties over my shoes. Then I slipped my arms into the disposable smock. I stretched a hairnet over the crown of my head and donned a mask. Finally, I made my way to the sink and scrubbed for the required sixty seconds.
Shelia checked me over then buzzed me through the double doors. With a huge smile on my face and a spring in my step, I made my way to room 438, Dani’s home away from home.
“Knock, knock,” I sang out as I pushed the door to the room open.
“Trys,” came the weak but excited response.
“Hey, Son,” Mom said as she got up from her seat near the bed. She hugged me tightly.
I inhaled the scent of her perfume, lilies and lavender. It hadn’t changed over the years.
“What are you doing here?” Mom asked as she set me aside.
“Had to come see my favorite girls,” I answered as I always did.
The giggle that always came in response was worth it. I swiveled to the fancy hospital bed which dominated the room.
“There she is.” I leaned over the metal railing and gently drew my sister’s tiny frame into my arms. She held on tightly for a few moments before she exhausted her strength and flopped back onto the pillows.
“How are you feeling, Dani-girl?” I asked cheerfully.
She beamed up at me. “Today’s a good day.”
“I’ve got news that’ll make it even better,” I said.
“Ooh, you’ve got a girlfriend,” Dani teased in a sing-song voice.
She was twelve years old and obsessed with boys and romance. With her bright blue eyes and dazzling smile, she was going to be the death of me one day.
“Daniella,” Mom scolded.
“No, I don’t have a girlfriend.” Though I wished that wasn’t the case. “The band has been meeting with some guys at a record label. They told us today they want to record two of our singles this month.”
Dani squealed, and Mom threw her arms around me. I gripped her around the waist, lifted her feet off the floor and spun her in a circle.
“Can you believe it? You might be able to hear your brother on the radio in a few weeks,” I said after I set Mom down.
The joy on their faces lit up my whole world. We chatted and watched TV for a while. It was a pretty perfect afternoon, all things considered. When Shelia came to get Dani for treatment, I hugged her bye.
“I’ll see you later, squirt.” I gave her a gentle tickle, making her laugh.
“You’re the squirt.” It was her typical comeback.
“I love you, Dani.” I blew her a kiss through my mask, which she caught and pressed to her cheek with a wink.
“Love you too, big brother. And you too, Mom,” she said, waving at us as Shelia wheeled her out.
Mom sagged as soon as Dani was out of sight. I reached out and steadied her.
“Mom, are you OK?”
She waved off my concern. “I’m fine. Just tired. Let’s not worry about me right now. I’m so happy for you,” Mom whispered in my ear as she wound her arms around my neck. “And hopefully we’ll have more good news very soon.”
25
Willa
I’d spent the last couple of days holed up in the apartment. I’d been avoiding Cade ever since he’d told me what I’d done. I couldn’t face him. I could barely face myself in the mirror every morning.
I didn’t even recognize myself anymore.
Syd walked into the kitchen where I was lost in thought over a bowl of cereal. I needed a distraction.
“Hey, Syd, do you have photos on your phone of the new clothing line?” I still hadn’t been into the boutique to look at the sketches or samples. Every time I’d made plans to go, something had kept me away.
“Yeah. They’re in my phone. It’s plugged up on the counter.” Syd headed
back to her room with the bottle of water she’d grabbed from the fridge. From down the hall, she yelled, “Let me know what you think of them.”
I swiped her screen to wake it up. With my thumbs, I navigated to her photo gallery.
“I love this yellow romper,” I shouted. It was like a spot of sunshine.
The next image was a peach sundress. The straps were delicate, interconnected flowers like a daisy chain, and the midsection had a swath of matching lace that allowed flesh to peek through. A light blue ensemble with sunflowers was next up. “I love them all,” I yelled back to Syd.
“Sounds about right,” she answered back with a laugh.
Image after image showed amazing designs. I couldn’t wait for them to be in the store. The next image made me freeze. It was me and Trystan, posed in a photo I didn’t remember taking. I brought the screen closer. Our arms were around each other. The smiles on our faces were genuine. We didn’t look like strangers. He was in a leather jacket. I was in a black dress. The black dress. I tapped the corner of the screen to get the information on the image. It was sent to Syd’s phone the night before my attack … the night I called off my engagement.
Syd rested her chin on my shoulder, seeing what I was staring at. I hadn’t heard her come back in the room.
“I knew Trystan before the attack?” I whispered in disbelief. My mind raced to make sense of what I was seeing.
“Yeah,” Syd answered back in a quiet voice.
“That was the dress I was wearing when I was taken to the hospital. I was leaving his place when I was attacked.” My heart galloped in my chest like a horse on the last stretch of the track.
“Yeah,” Syd confirmed what I already knew.
“Oh, God—” My voice cracked, and a sob slipped out unbidden. I was going to be sick. What Cade said was true. I’d been cheating. With Trystan.
Why hadn’t Trystan said anything?
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