Page 8 of Sweet Escape

Murphy leans over and plants a kiss on my cheek. “I never doubted it for a second.” Then she turns onto her other side, facing away from me. “Night, Viv.”

“Night, Murph.”

She’s softly snoring within a few minutes. I, unfortunately, am not so lucky. Instead, I stay awake, lost in my thoughts, my mind racing and unable to be quieted, no matter what I do.

I wasn’t honest with her about the real reason I’m here. The last thing I want is to rehash the past few days of my life. With anyone. Even with someone I trust as much as Murphy.

So I told her I’m here to write. That my manager sent me on a trip to work on the last few songs for my album. A little writing retreat to stoke the creative juices.

Technically, itwillbe true. Probably. I’m scheduled to go into the studio soon, and there is plenty that I need to work on between now and then to make sure I’m ready.

But in truth, Todd has no idea I’ve even left LA. He has no idea that my life has blown apart. I’m sure if he knew, he’d be upset for me on all counts, because that’s the kind of manager Todd is. The kind that actually cares about his talent for more reasons than just dollar signs.

Heismy manager, though, and as much as I appreciate that he cares, I don’t want to talk to him about it, either. Because he’ll try to wax poetic about it and turn everything into a positive, at least where my music is concerned.

So, instead of facing what happened, instead of dealing with reality, I ran.

I had Theo’s things boxed up and removed from my condo. I changed the locks. I avoided his calls and texts.

I haven’t been ready to face it all.

My phone vibrates with a text message. The light pierces through the darkness of Murphy’s bedroom, casting everything in a cool glow. I let out a long, frustrated sigh. Then I grab my phone off the nightstand and finally read through the messages I’ve been ignoring all day.

Theo:I’ve tried calling you for two days, Vi.Two.

Theo:You’re absolutely overreacting. She means nothing to me.

Theo:This is ridiculous. I’m coming home after work. You can’t kick me out forever.

Theo:You seriously left town?

Theo:Where the hell is all my stuff?

And the one that just came through.

Theo:Come on, Vi. Are we ever going to talk this out?

Maybe for some women, his constant messages and calls are enough to at least respond once. Enough to warrant giving the man a chance to provide an explanation that’s as much truth as it is lies.

But I’m not “some women,” and honestly, it doesn’t matter what Theo has to say.

I am absolutelynotoverreacting, and there is nothing he can tell me that will get me to forgive him for cheating on me after three years together. Nothing.

What Theo did ... It robbed me of something important. Something that was sacred, and precious, and can never be replaced.

My trust.

When it lights up again, I power my phone down, not wanting to be bothered anymore tonight.

Not that shutting off my phone will allow me to get any sleep.

Eventually, I push myself out of bed and grab a sweater from my bag, then slip quietly from Murphy’s room. Making my way through the darkened house, I tiptoe across the cool terra-cotta tiles and out through the french doors that lead from the living room to the covered patio that faces the vineyard.

The moon is bright, lighting up the vines that stretch out before me as I take a seat on the stone steps. Pulling my sweater snug around my body, I tilt my head back and breathe in deeply, my eyes closed.

The air here smells so different. It’s damp and earthy and tinged with a little bit of sweetness.

And it’s quiet.Soquiet. I can hear crickets chirping and the breeze rustling the trees that line the edge of the property.

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