Page 125 of Perfect Pitch

Be safe.

When we exit, we’re about to reenter LLF when a new text buzzes my phone. I glance at it.

Mitch:

Have to be. Have to be there for you.

Even though Mitch’s text relieves some of my agony, a storm of anger swirls when I enter the conference room to find my mother collapsed—her face riddled with emotion. I accuse Carys, “What did you do to her?”

Carys doesn’t say anything to defend herself. She waits for the others to file in and for the door to close. My mother stands. Immediately, she begins smoothing the hair away from my face. Her words cause fear to skid down my spine. “From the moment I knew I was carrying you, the love I’ve had for you has been surreal. You were my reason for not giving up on life after your father left; that’s how much love I had for him.”

I hear a sniffle behind me, but I focus only on my mother. “Mama—‍”

“I was wrong, baby. Maybe today, maybe tomorrow, I can forgive myself for making the wrong decisions. All I can say to defend myself is I trusted. One day, I hope your father understands that.”

“What do you mean?” I whisper, my hands coming up to grip her wrists.

“Your father was trying to protect me when he walked out of my life. And your grandfather... For now, you just need to know your father will be overwhelmed to know you, Austyn. In a good way, I promise. Carys is going to help with that.”

My head whips around to Angie. She alluded to this downstairs, but what did Carys say to convince my mother? My eyes meet the aqua ones of the tiny blond, whose face is a mask of tragedy. I manage, “Where are you going to be?”

Her jaw clenches. “Dealing with your grandfather.”

“Let me come with you,” I plead.

“No, baby. Stay. I...” She pushes the words out. “I believe what they told me. Trust Carys. She only has your best interest at heart.”

“Paige, please wait. There’s so much to discuss.” Ward’s voice is laced with urgency.

She ignores him, focusing only on me. “You’re safe here. Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything back home. Just promise me you’re going to fly. Soar. Rain down magic with your music.” She breaks our standoff to study Carys. “You’ll represent her legally?”

“It would be my honor.”

Pressing a kiss on my forehead, my mother snatches up her briefcase and strides out without another word. Watching her go, I feel something insidious crawl up my throat. Without glancing away from the door, I bite out, “Would someone mind explaining what the hell just happened?”

Carys declares, “The minute we get you logged officially as a client, Austyn.”

“Then someone hand me a pen.”

The ink is barely dry when a loud sound jolts us from our conversation. Carys’s eyes narrow at the door when someone I always thought was larger than life crashes through it.

He’s tall, dark, with deep blue eyes. His tattooed gorgeousness hung in life-sized posters on the walls of my friends growing up.

If only I knew who he was, maybe I’d have done a selfie when I graduated, I think wildly as Beckett Miller abruptly stops when confronted with a wall of fury in the form of my brand-new pint-sized lawyer.

Then his eyes drill into mine and the most natural thing in the world happens.

* * *

CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

If cursing becomes a crime, I’m going to be in handcuffs for the rest of my days.

—Jacques Yves, Celebrity Blogger

“What the hell are you doing here?” I snarl. My fury he’s in a room with me overriding my good sense. Immediately, I turn on Carys. “Was this a setup? Was Mama supposed to be involved?”

Carys shoots daggers at Beckett with her eyes. “No. In fact, I believe he was given explicit instructions that today was not a good day for one of his drive-by visits.”

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