Page 174 of Perfect Pitch

Then I saw him saunter in, and the fury that momentarily crossed her face before it smoothed out.

Being isolated by choice is entirely different than what I’d endure if I slipped into the VIP area my father commandeered.

I’m afraid he’ll notice.

And I know I won’t be strong enough to hide the truth.

I rub my hand over my stomach and whisper, “I’ll protect you from such ugliness. I swear my life on it.”

As I watch my parents slow dance for the umpteenth time from the safety of the DJ booth, a meaty paw lands on my shoulder. I don’t jump because I know he’s been en route. “You ready, kid?”

Without looking away from the woman who raised me and the man I’ve started to love as if he’d been there my entire life, I ask, “Do you think I’m doing the right thing, Charlie?”

“What’s going through that head of yours?”

“That if I stay in the same city as Mitch, I’m going to break.”

“Then let’s go. You have music to finish making.”

It’s then I turn to face him. Tears blur my eyes. “Does the pain ever stop?”

“I’d be lying to you if I said yes.”

I look over my shoulder. “That’s what I thought.” My mother chooses that exact moment to look in the direction of where I’m standing. Since my chance to hug her was spoiled by the man I’m afraid I’ll never stop loving, I do the only thing I can to acknowledge her. I step on a pedal so a warm light illuminates her.

She presses two fingers to her lips and holds them outward. She understands.

She knows why I have to leave.

And she knows I’ll be back.

* * *

CHAPTER EIGHTY

Sometimes stepping away from a situation can give you an entirely new perspective.

—The Fireside Psychologist

Fallon directs me to her spare bedroom. I admire the quirky apartment on top of the bar she works at. “This place is exactly like you described.”

She sits down on the bed and curls her leg under her. “I love it here, Austyn. I don’t know why but being in Seven Virtues feels right.”

“So much so you don’t feel like moving to New York with me this summer,” I tease.

She fans herself. “Now, I’m not opposed to meeting your hot as fuck father, but still, this place is home.” She pats the bed next to her and I sit down.

My dress must pull against my stomach because Fallon’s eyes are drawn right to the hard bulge where the culmination of my love and Mitch’s sperm live. I plead, “You can’t say anything.”

“Austyn.” Fallon’s voice trembles as much as the hands holding my hair away from my face do. “It’s Mitch’s?”

I barely manage a tiny nod. I refuse to say his name, to divulge the depths of what an unholy bastard he is—though she knows we’re no longer a couple. Pressing my fingers against my baby, I soothe the child inside me before sharing, “If it weren’t for this small piece of him growing inside of me, I’d do anything to flush the memories of him from my mind.”

“Does Paige know? Your father?”

“Mama, yes. Not my father.” I stare off into space. “I’m not sure how he’d react.”

She scoffs. “Like he has room to talk. You’re walking, talking proof of him being a hypocrite if that was the case.”

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