Page 173 of Perfect Pitch

“I don’t want Dad or anyone else to know until I get back.”

“Get back? Austyn, you can’t be serious about leaving. You’re five months pregnant!”

“I cleared it with my doctor.” My mother huffs. “And it’s only a few weeks, Mama. The shows are well spaced out. I promise, I swear, it’s not going to be too much.”

There’s silence on the other end of the line. “When do you leave?” Before I can say anything, she warns me, “If you don’t want your father to have a conniption, tell me you arranged security.”

“Yes, Charlie and a team are coming with me. And I’m leaving tomorrow after my set at Redemption.”

Heaviness descends between us. “So soon? But, Austyn...” Her voice trails off.

“What?”

“I haven’t congratulated you, hugged you. I haven’t seen you bloom.”

Tears drip from my eyes at her beautiful description. I dash them away. “Then come see me tomorrow—you, just you.”

“Beckett will never go for that. Not now, not after everything.”

“I know.”

“I’ll just tell him you’re playing and ask to be escorted to see you.”

I inject quickly, “Not by Mitch.”

“Darling, if he’s my only option, I’ll wait to hug you when you get home,” she says scathingly. “I won’t allow that... man... near you or my grandchild.”

I swallow against the lump in my throat. “Mama?”

“Yes?”

“Is this how you felt about Dad when you were pregnant with me? Lost? Devastated?”

Her sigh holds reluctance when she admits, “I felt like I was made of glass, and someone dropped me over concrete. I shattered.”

“Yeah. That’s about right.”

“Austyn?”

“Yes?”

“Do you want me or your father to...”

“No. When the baby’s born, I’ll try to tell Mitch again. Not a second before.”

“You know I’ll support whatever decision you make,” my mother assures me.

What’s left unsaid is, I hope it’s the right one.

* * *

CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE

Regardless of the tragedy, moving on doesn’t mean you have lessened your grief. It simply means you’re being gifted with another chance to keep living.

—Beautiful Today

Yes, it’s absolutely possible to know you’re condemned in a room full of people seeking redemption. I’m hiding in the booth, despite my mother’s gentle rebuke to come see her and confirming that Mitch wasn’t there.

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