Page 83 of Freeing Savannah

Now, after everything, even the piano felt haunted. Tainted, sincehe’dworked on it continuously for years.

Her attention was drawn to Sawyer who stood in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, pouring coffee like he’d done it a thousandtimes in her home. Only it wasn’t his home. Not yet. Maybe not ever. But the way he moved in a comfortable, protective, and grounding manner, it made her chest ache in the best way.

Her phone buzzed on the table. The screen unexpectedly lit up with the name Kandy. Savannah blinked. “Huh.”

Sawyer looked over. “What’s wrong?”

She waved her phone in the air. “It’s Kandy.”

Sawyer groaned making her chuckle. “What doesshewant?”

“Dunno.” She hesitated, then answered, putting it on speaker so Sawyer could hear. “Hello?”

There was a brief pause, then, surprisingly, without a hint of sarcasm Kandy asked, “Savannah? Hey. It’s Kandy.”

Savannah straightened a little. “Hi. Um . . . what’s up?”

“I just—” Kandy’s voice wavered, just slightly. “What happened to you last night . . . it scared the hell out of me. I know we haven’t always gotten along, but I needed to call. Are you okay?”

Something in Savannah’s chest loosened. “I will be. Still processing.”

“I figured. That’s why I wanted to say something now. Not in front of people. Not through PR. Just me.”

Savannah looked over at Sawyer, who had set his coffee down, listening. “You’re on speaker now. Sawyer’s here.”

There was a pause. Then a half-laugh. “Of course he is. Hi, handsome.”

Sawyer gave a slight smirk. “Hey, Kandy.”

“Listen,” Kandy said, and this time her voice was sincere. “I’ve been trying to figure out what to say that doesn’t come off bitchy or petty. So I’ll just say it straight. You’re good for her, Voodoo. I saw it. I think I always knew.”

Savannah felt her throat tighten.

“I gave it my best shot,” Kandy added, a lightness in her tone now. “But if I had to lose that fight . . . I’m glad it was to someone like Savannah. So take care of her, okay?”

Sawyer’s voice was quiet but steady. “Always.”

“As much as I love a good age-gap story, I just think you’re way too old for me.”

Sawyer laughed. “Right.”

A pause. Then Kandy sighed. “Don’t go disappearing on me, Savannah. We might not be besties, but . . . I admire you. You have this talent I can’t even begin to imagine.” Kandy’s words took her by surprise and she felt her nose tingle as tears threatened. “I’m in your corner now, all right?”

Savannah swallowed the emotion in her throat. “Thanks, Kandy. Really.”

“Don’t make it weird,” Kandy said, and Savannah could hear the smile in her voice. There was another pause, heavier this time. Then Kandy added, “Did you guys hear about Henry?”

Savannah’s brows pulled together. “No. What about him?”

“He was arrested this morning,” Kandy said, voice edged with disgust. “Sexual assault charges. One of the female crew members from the tour came forward. She’d been too scared to speak up before, but after everything that happened with you . . . she finally told someone. And apparently, she wasn’t the only one.”

Savannah felt her stomach twist. “Oh, my God.”

“Yeah.” Kandy’s voice lowered. “I always knew there was something off about him, but I didn’t know it was that bad. I’m just glad she spoke up. And that it wasn’t you.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Sawyer’s jaw flex, and his expression hardened.

“I wanted you to hear it from me before it leaked everywhere,” Kandy said. “It’s going to be messy. Press, lawyers, statements . . . you know the drill.”

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