Page 196 of Perfect Pitch

I answer honestly, “No.”

“You’ll wish you did one day.” She sighs. “I can tell you the driver was a woman—or dressed to look like one. I got the make of the car, and Charlie... Austyn mentioned he’s related to you?”

“My uncle,” I confirm to her.

“He said there were no plates. The cops came to the hospital to tell us the car was stolen. Dead end.” Her chin jerks up.

That’s when Austyn ends her tribute. I may not have understood her previous words, but I know these.

Her broken, “Au revoir ma Colombia,” causes tears to sting my eyes.

Fallon misses nothing. “Okay. Maybe you’re not as big of a douche as I originally thought.”

I scoff. “The woman I love lost our child because she ran from me. I’m the exact right size douche.”

Fallon bites her lip. “Mitch?”

I monitor Austyn as she weaves her way toward where we’re standing. “What’s that?”

“She still loves you.” My head whips in her direction, incredulous.

“I love her,” I grit out.

“Don’t make me regret telling you that when she’s still so vulnerable,” she warns me.

I go ramrod straight at Fallon’s words, words I’d die for Austyn to say to me herself, but it’s not something she’ll willingly share aloud.

Not right now.

Maybe not ever.

* * *

CHAPTER NINETY-FIVE

Wildcard Records CEO and owner, Kristoffer Wilde, was spotted entering the office of Carys Burke-Lennan. What kind of deal does this mean for Beckett Miller? For Erzulie? For her newest prodigy, Kensington?

—StellaNova

“Beats? Christ, you’re a wreck,” states a quiet voice from the doorway.

It’s four in the morning after Mitch and I drove back from Seven Virtues, and I just woke myself screaming. Still sobbing, I don’t have the emotional wherewithal to push him away.

Seconds later, I’m being scooped up and slid to the left. Mitch crawls into my bed next to me. His arms wrap around my body, tucking me tightly against him. His hand smooths up and down my back. “Let it out, baby. I’ve got you.”

Hiccupping noises escape me that I can’t prevent.

“I’m here to take all the pain if you’ll just give it to me.” His voice is rueful. “Even if it’s about me. God knows I deserve it.”

Thoughts muddled due to the late hour and my tears, I just talk. I forget about the barriers I’ve erected between us. “I was so scared when I first realized I was pregnant.”

“You didn’t... uh... realize you were missing something?” I twist my head and find his lips hitched up on one side. He prods gently, “Something monthly?”

“Oh... oh! No. It never crossed my mind. I swear.”

He tucks my head back against his chest, and the comforting scent of him surrounds me. Relaxing, I murmur into the darkness, “I was so tired and sick. I honestly just thought I was worn down.”

He presses his lips against my forehead. “You were. Our daughter was sucking down all your nutrients.”

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