Page 159 of Getting it Right (Addy's Rollercoaster)

“When is No Quarter’s first show?” he asked.

“Tuesday.” I gave Barry a look. He knew that.

“Do you think they’re ready?”

“Tuesdays are easy.” I lifted my free hand. “They’ll be fine.”

“Will Kyle be okay to play his guitar?”

“I think he can play that thing in his sleep.” She shook her head. “He’s a shredder.”

“He’s better than his father.”

“Yeah.” I nodded.

“Tommy’s better than me on drums.”

“I wasn’t going to say anything.” I gave him a look through my lashes that flashed me back to the night before, when he’d asked me to look at him. Flushing unsurprisingly, I shifted in my seat.

“We’re here, baby.” He put the car in park, and I found myself nervous again. “You ready?”

“You distracted me on purpose with all those questions.” I narrowed my eyes, realizing what he’d done.

He nodded. “I did.”

“I love you.”

“I love you,” he said low. “Let’s do this,con bu?m c?a tôi.”

“Okay.” I reached for my door handle, muttering, “Fly but not fall.”

“What’d you say?” He’d rounded the hood to offer me his hand.

“You give me the confidence I need to believe I can do anything.”

I placed my hand in his as we walked into the building where Winston Skellin’s headquarters were. The building where I’d signed away rights to my daughter would be the same building where I would get her back. A full circle, it seemed right.

But could I right that wrong? Was there any chance I could make her understand?

I gnawed on my lip as Barry steered me into the elevator.

Too fast, we were whisked to the top floor. Too fast, the secretary at the front desk jumped up and led us back to the conference room. This one was glass. It wasn’t the same one from before.

Through the clear panels, I saw Ella inside. She was alone like we’d asked. The lawyers had gotten both parties to agree. Her dark hair was in a fancy chignon. Her spine was straight in the suit she wore. Designer, probably.

“She’s all dressed up,” I hissed at Barry. “I look terrible. I have on a band T-shirt.”

“You’re being yourself.” Barry placed his hands on my shoulders and turned me to face him. “You can do this.” He squeezed. “I believe in you.”

“I can fly and not fear falling when I’m with you.”

He clutched me to him. “I love you.” He turned me. “Now go,con bu?m c?a tôi. Fly.”

I floated to the door and knocked before opening it.

Ella turned. She was stunning, her makeup flawless. Her jade eyes widened.

My heart fluttered as I stepped into the room. That’s when I noticed the stacks of notebooks in front of her. I snapped my head in Barry’s direction, and he pointed back to the room. He’d given her those. In everything, he was my protector.

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