Page 89 of Redeeming Melodies

The video ended, but the damage was done. She'd managed to out me, question my sanity, and position herself as the victim all in one perfectly choreographed performance.

"I'm going to be sick." The words came out raw, but Jake's arms were already around me, steady and sure.

But Jake didn't let go. Didn't run from the media shitstorm about to hit his quiet town. Just held me tighter, like his arms could shield me from all of it.

"It gets worse." Cassidy's voice held steel. “They're painting you as having some kind of breakdown."

"Bullshit." Jake's word came sharp, protective. "He's building a home here. For Tommy. For himself."

"I know that." Cassidy's expression softened slightly. "But they're spinning it. Hard. The press is probably already on their way here."

My stomach dropped. Because this wasn't just about me anymore. This was about Jake, about his quiet life, about this whole town that had taken me in.

"I'll handle it." But my voice shook. "Been dealing with her games for years."

"Not alone." Jake moved into my line of sight, those steady brown eyes grounding me. "Not anymore."

"He's right." Cassidy started gathering her papers. "And having Jake actually helps our case. Shows you're building stable relationships, putting down roots. But you need to be ready. The vultures are coming."

"Let them come." Jake's voice held that sheriff authority that did things to my insides. "This is my town. They'll play by our rules here."

Something in my chest cracked open. Because this man - this incredible, protective man - was choosing to stand with me. Even knowing the shitstorm coming our way.

"We need a strategy." Cassidy watched us with knowing eyes. "Both legal and personal. Town this size, everyone's going to have questions."

"Then we'll answer them." Found my voice finally, stronger with Jake's warmth at my back. "Together. No more hiding."

"Good." She headed for the door, already on her phone. "I'll be in New York tomorrow, fighting the motions. Stay low, stay smart, and for God's sake, answer your phone when I call."

The door closed behind her with finality. The quiet rushed back in, but different now. Heavier with everything coming.

"I'm sorry." The words burst out as I turned to Jake. "This isn't what you signed up for. The media circus, the custody shit, all of it"

His kiss cut me off, fierce and certain. "Stop. This is exactly what I signed up for. You, Tommy, all of it. We'll handle whatever comes."

"Even reporters camping outside your station? Digging into your life?"

"Let them dig." His smile turned sharp. "Small towns protect their own. And you're one of ours now."

The certainty in his voice broke something loose in my chest. Because yeah, the storm was coming. Yeah, Vanessa had just blown up our quiet life. But standing in my kitchen with Jake's arms around me, it felt manageable somehow.

"Hey." His thumb brushed my cheek. "Where'd you go?"

"Just thinking." Pressed closer, breathed him in. "About how fucking grateful I am that I met you.”

His laugh rumbled through his chest. "Best traffic stop of my life."

"Even with all this?" Gestured at Cassidy's abandoned briefcase, at the phone still playing Vanessa's performance. "Even knowing what's coming?"

"Especially with all this." His kiss landed soft against my temple. "Because now you're not facing it alone."

And fuck if that didn't undo me completely.

The weight of what just happened crashed over me in waves. Vanessa had painted a target on this whole town. My quiet refuge was about to become a media circus, and fuck if that thought didn't make me want to throw up.

"This is going to change everything." My voice came out raw against Jake's chest. "The reporters, the cameras. They'll be everywhere. The diner, the grocery store, probably camping outside your station."

Jake's arms tightened around me. "Not my first rodeo with this kind of shit. When the press found out that Liam was back here they camped out here as well. We had our share of vultures trying to dig up dirt."

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