Page 94 of Redeeming Melodies

Reality crashed back in. Elliot leaving, even temporarily, felt wrong. But she was right - this needed handling properly.

"I'll drive over.” Elliot was already reaching for his phone, then stopped.

Sarah cleared her throat. "I'll email the strategy outline within the hour. Elliot, text me your arrival details. And boys?"

We both looked up.

"This isn't the end of the world. Might feel like it, but trust me. Love stories play better than scandal any day."

Love stories. The words echoed in my chest as the screen went dark. Because that's what this was becoming, wasn't it? Not just attraction or convenience or temporary comfort. Something real. Something worth fighting for.

"You should pack." The words came out reluctant. Didn't want him leaving, but knew he had to.

"Yeah." He stood, pulling me up with him. "Walk me to the bedroom? Help me decide what says 'responsible father dealing with hostile ex' instead of 'gay crisis in small town America.'"

Had to laugh at that, even as my heart ached. "Pretty sure Zayn's got you covered there. Man's got opinions about your wardrobe."

"True." His smile faded slightly. "Jake?"

"Yeah?"

"You're sure about this? Going public, dealing with all the shit that's coming?"

Pulled him close, needing him to feel the truth in my words. "More sure than I've been about anything in a long time. You're worth it. This, us, what we're building here? Worth whatever storm's coming."

His kiss tasted like goodbye and promise all mixed together. Like fear and hope and something bigger than both of us.

"I'll call when I get there.” His words came breathless against my mouth. "And Jake?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you. For being willing to fight for this. For me."

"Always." Pressed our foreheads together, memorizing how he felt in my arms. "Now go pack before Sarah sends a search party."

The hospital doors hissed open,letting in that antiseptic smell I'd grown to hate. Left Elliot packing, heart heavy with everything unsaid, but duty called. Always fucking did.

Found Liam exactly where I expected - slumped in one of those plastic torture devices they called chairs outside Jimmy's room. Dark circles under his eyes told stories about sleepless nights and constant worry.

"Hey." Kept my voice soft, not wanting to startle him. "Any change?"

His smile came tired but real. "Doc says his vitals are improving. Brain swelling's going down." A pause, heavy with hope. "Just waiting for him to wake up now."

Settled into the chair beside him, ignoring how it dug into my back. "That's good news."

"Yeah." He shifted, turning to face me properly. "Caleb told me about you and Elliot."

"Guess news travels fast."

"Small town." His laugh held no judgment. "Got to say, didn't see that coming. The big bad sheriff falling for a racing champion?"

"Trust me, neither did I." The honesty felt right here, with him. After everything I'd put him through, he deserved truth. "Kind of hit me out of nowhere."

"Love's funny like that." Simple words, but they knocked the air from my lungs. Because yeah, maybe that's what this was. Love. Real and terrifying and worth every risk.

"Liam, about before" The words caught in my throat. All those years of guilt pressing down.

"Stop." His hand landed on my arm, steady and sure. "That was a lifetime ago. We were kids, and you were carrying shit I didn't understand then."

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