Page 4 of Heart Strings

“Only if you promise to keep a copy on every shelf,” I counter, and for a moment, things feel almost normal.

But I know the truth will have to come out, eventually. I can’t hide anything from Gracie, not really. I let myself pretend, just for a little while longer, that everything is okay. That I’m home not because my heart’s been ripped out, but because here, with Gracie in Chapter One, there’s no hiding.

Here I’m just Connor, and that’s all I’ve ever needed to be.

Chapter 3

Gracie

Connor is wearing a look on his face that I don’t recognize in all my years of knowing him. He’s usually so confident in whatever he does, but right now, he seems so unsure of himself.

After my chattering dries up, he twists his body so his head is in my lap and his long legs hang off the edge of the sofa. My hands automatically go to his hair, running my fingers through it and watching as his eyes flutter close and he sighs.

“So, how are you feeling now that your tour is finally over? It’s been, what, two years?” I ask.

Another sigh and he nods. “I’m glad it’s over, the long break will be so fucking worth it,” he says, then he groans as I massage his scalp. “Hmm, this feels good. I missed this.”

I can’t help but smile. “Well, it’s good to have you back, even if you didn’t need to come back,” I say and watch as his eyes shoot open, confused.

“What? Why would you say that? Of course I’ll always come back to you,” he says as if it’s the most natural thing to say, but I shake my head.

“No, Con, you have … another life out there; one that doesn’t need to include me like this,” I say, but his frown just deepens.

“My life will always include you, Tink. You’re my best friend and the only one who has ever been there for me,” he says, and honestly, as much as I like his conviction, he has it all wrong.

“What about what you have with Ava and the life you’re building with her? Last time I checked, you guys moved in together in LA. That’s your future, Connor, not here,” I say, but I notice how he clenches his jaw.

“Yeah, well, not for a long time,” he says, then he sits up so quickly that it takes me a few seconds to register what he said just as he gets to his feet.

I follow him up and pull him back, and when he turns to look at me, the broken expression finally makes sense. I can literally see all his walls come crashing down in those sad blue eyes, but I don’t wait for an explanation… I just hug him.

This is how it’s always been between us, but why would he hide that something happened between him and Ava? I know he loved her a lot, and they were perfect together from what I’ve seen.

Did I miss something?

After what seems like forever, he finally sighs and his body relaxes against me. “It fucking hurts, Gracie,” he says, and my heart just damn near breaks for him. He never really calls me by my name, so I know it’s serious.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

He shakes his head, and we break apart. “Nah, I don’t wanna think about it right now. I’d rather…” he trails off, then swipes a hand over his face. “I’m jetlagged as fuck and should probably get some sleep. I just wanted to come see you before I passed out.”

Does this stubborn man not realize I know him better than he knows himself?

“Let me drive you there—and before you argue with me, you just mentioned that you’re about to pass out, so get your ass in my car, Connor Owens,” I say and cross my arms while trying to look tough.

This only earns me a chuckle from my golden retriever best friend as he leans forward and tousles my hair. “Fine, whatever you say,” he says.

Smiling because I know I’ve won, I walk to the counter to grab my stuff, then I gesture for him to walk to the door before something gets my attention… He doesn’t have any luggage with him.

“So, where are your bags?”

He shrugs as he opens the front door. “I don’t have anything with me but my wallet and phone. Came on the first flight out after the final show,” he says before walking out while I stand there, shocked.

Were things really that bad after his last show that he literally just upped and left? Oh my God, poor Connor. The curiosity is getting to me, but I won’t push him, not when I can see this is difficult for him to talk about.

The drive to his secluded cabin is a short one, since I can basically find it with my eyes closed. When I pull up in his driveway, I look over at him in the passenger seat and see him slumped against the door. Damn, he wasn’t joking about being exhausted.

“Hey, Connor,” I say softly, shaking him awake. “We’re here.”

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