Page 70 of Melody

Had she made a mistake?

“I don’t know how to fix this,” she said again, knowing she wouldn’t get an answer. When a woman came around the bend on the path toward her, she hoped she hadn’t heard her talking aloud to herself.

Maybe she didn’t really care.

As they passed each other, she forced a smile, hoping the tears weren’t evident, but the woman had her earbuds in and didn’t even look her way.

That was just as well.

Finally, Melody simply allowed herself to cry as she continued walking down the path but, after a while, regretted it because she only had one tissue in her pocket. She had to get herself under control.

By the time she began heading back, she had made a decision. She’d been considering leaving again and the walk had convinced her that she should go ahead and do it. There was nothing in Silver City keeping her here—and there was still the matter of Tommy knowing her location.

If she left, she could start over again…but this time, she’d be smarter. She’d trade the car in for something else and maybe see if she could find a way to change her identity.

But she’d sleep on it. Before when she’d planned to leave, she’d been making the decision out of panic. If she felt the same in the morning, she’d let Al and her landlord know and she would leave calmly.

Only then would she know for certain that it had been the right move.

After a slow night at work,Melody returned to her apartment, ready to sleep.

Except sleep refused to come.

She’d grown used to having Kyle’s warm body beside her, holding her, making her feel safe and loved. It was almost dawn when she finally drifted off but she didn’t get much rest.

When she awoke close to noon, she felt like crap and realized that her dreams had all been about Kyle.

But, as she shuffled to the kitchen to make coffee, something occurred to her: she’d been dreaming about Kyle, about all hisgood qualities and what had made him a good boyfriend, and then she knew.

Her brain was trying to tell her something.

She’d beenwrong.

Until now, she’d been doubting him, had lost faith in him, and had figured the festering family stuff was likely hiding a whole plethora of things he hadn’t told her. But now it was clear: hehadtold her everything…and she’d just been too stupid to trust. She’d been so damned sure that she was a poor judge of character and that Kyle had to be the same as Tommy—but he wasn’t. Kyle could never be like Tommy, and there was nothing he’d done up to this point that should have made her feel that way. Theonlyreason she’d believed they were cut from the same cloth was thanks to her own flawed psyche.

And even that she had to forgive. She’d been making her way through life alone and, at the time Tommy had come along, she’d been especially vulnerable.

Maybe he’d known that. Maybe he’d preyed on her for that very reason.

She’d never know for certain—but, by the time the coffee had finished brewing, shedidknow that she’d made a horrible mistake.

Intent to Murder was scheduled to be at Tequilaville tomorrow night. That gave her plenty of time to prepare…and figure out how to make things right.

CHAPTER 25

The next day, Melody was almost excited for that evening at work. Although she knew Kyle might tell her to go to hell, she hoped that baring her heart and soul would help him find it in himself to forgive her. Even if not, she had things she had to say to him.

That wasn’t entirely accurate. She hadonevery important thing to tell him.

She’d been at Tequilaville for about an hour when she noticed Intent to Murder setting up their equipment on stage. Already, though, the customers were filing in, demanding drinks to prepare for a night of music and fun.

If she was going to do what she’d planned, it was now or never. Pulling her phone out of her back pocket, she sent him a quick message:I have something I need to give you. Would you be able to see me after the show?

Although her heart felt light and hopeful, she told herselfnotto get her hopes up. She’d hurt Kyle—she’d seen it in his eyes the other night on the sidewalk in Charlotte—and after the disappointment and pain he’d already suffered in his life, he might not be willing to give her the time of day, much less talk with her.

But she couldn’t help the optimistic emotions brewing inside her.

Every spare moment she had, she looked toward the stage, watching as Kyle and his band members made the space their own. Unlike the last show, they now had a banner that they hung at the back of the stage, making them look more professional than ever.

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