Page 88 of Redeeming Melodies

"Take me home?" The words came quiet against his lips.

"Your place or mine?"

"Yours." Because his kitchen would smell like breakfast and possibility. Because his ocean view washed away shadows. Because anywhere he was felt like home now.

His kiss tasted like promise and understanding. Like future visits to Mom, sharing stories about Tommy and the house and the life we were building. Like love made visible, just as she always said it should be.

The unfamiliar car in Elliot's driveway made something in my gut tighten. Sleek, expensive - lawyer's car if I ever saw one. Elliot's hand went tense in mine the moment he spotted it.

"Cassidy." His voice came rough. "My lawyer. Wasn't expecting her until tomorrow."

"Want me to go?" Offered even though leaving him felt wrong, especially after the emotional weight of visiting Mom.

"Stay." Just one word, but it held worlds of trust. "Please. I'm tired of facing this shit alone."

GATHERING STORM

The short walk from Jake's truck to my front door felt like walking to execution, even with his hand steady in mine.

"You two look cozy." Cassidy's sharp eyes softened for a fraction of a second, taking in our joined hands. "Though given what I'm about to show you, that might be part of the problem."

"Cassidy, this is Jake." My voice came steadier than I felt. "My boyfriend."

The word still gave me butterflies, especially when Jake squeezed my hand in response.

Inside, I went through the motions of making tea - another habit Zayn had drilled into me. Cassidy spent those few minutes studying Jake like he was evidence in a trial, but whatever she saw must have satisfied her.

"I'd say it's nice to meet you, Sheriff Thompson, but given the circumstances..." She sighed, reaching for her phone. "Elliot, when's the last time you checked the news?"

Fuck. The grimace must have shown on my face because she didn't wait for an answer.

"That's what I thought." She handed over her phone, already queued up to whatever bomb was about to drop. "Vanessa called a press conference this morning."

“This is becoming a habit of her.” Elliot sighed and took the phone.

The video started with Vanessa at the podium, looking exactly like she did during race press conferences - perfectly styled hair, designer outfit chosen to look expensive but not flashy. Mother of the Year costume complete.

"Thank you all for coming." Her voice trembled just enough to hook sympathy. I'd seen her practice that tremor in the mirror enough times to know it was bullshit. "I wouldn't normally address private matters publicly, but given recent events, I feel I owe it to my son to speak out."

Jake's hand tightened on my shoulder. He could probably feel me tensing with every word.

"As many of you know, Elliot has been going through some... changes lately." The pause was calculated, letting implications sink in. "First abandoning his racing career, then making impulsive decisions that can possibly affect our son.”

Fucking hell. My hands clenched into fists, remembering Tommy's joy at seeing his room here, at having space to just be a kid.

"I've tried to be supportive." Tears gathered in her eyes, perfectly timed. "Even when he suddenly moved to a small town, cutting Tommy off from his friends, his school, everything stable in his life."

"That's not" The words caught in my throat as Anderson moved closer to the podium, playing his role of protective counsel.

"But now," Vanessa's voice broke beautifully, "I have to speak up. For Tommy's sake. My son deserves better than watching his father spiral into... whatever this is."

She gestured vaguely, and I knew what was coming. Braced for it even as Jake's presence behind me kept me from completely losing it.

"Elliot has taken up residence in Oakwood Grove, living what he claims is a 'simpler life.' But the reality is far more concerning." The tears were flowing freely now. “He’s been making decisions that impact our son without any consideration for Tommy's wellbeing.”

"I'm not here to judge lifestyle choices." The perfect mix of tolerance and concern. "But as a mother, I have to question the stability of someone who abandons their career and move to a strange town. It seems more like a cry for help than a rational decision.”

"I just want my son safe." Vanessa's final blow, delivered with a sob. "I want the old Elliot back. The one who knew who he was, who put Tommy first."

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