Page 103 of Out of the Blue

Because no one is ever true, why would they be?

She taught me that lesson even after she went away

But, now I know I was wrong, oh so wrong

The blast was more of a whimper, which I didn’t realize

I was so wrong. I need you back or else I can’t go on

You’re my love and I need you to breathe. Cordy.

He strums one final time, then his hand stills.

My own hand slides down my body. His song was gut wrenching.

The crowd behind me claps. Joss yells, “Great song!”

I become aware of people standing on the street behind Trent, who also encourage him with shouts of “I love your voice!” and “You should get paid for this!”

My nose wrinkles. That’s what he does. He sings songs for a living. My throat tightens. I’m about to spin and go back into my apartment when he says, “Cordelia. Please. Stay.”

I tip my chin upward.

He addresses the people surrounding him. “Thanks. Show’s over.” They offer more accolades, then disperse. Even my neighbors return to their apartments. Traitors.

Then it’s just him and me on my front stoop. He kicked me out of his hospital room. He was gone when I went back.He told me he loved me, then he left me.

A memory of my father’s photo resurfaces.Hedid love me. And he didn’t leave voluntarily.

All this buzzes in my head while Trent removes his guitar and puts it into its case. Straightening, he takes the two steps up. He stands tall in front of me.

God, he looks good. His beachy scent reaches my nose. I swallow my saliva. And remember what he did. My bare foot crosses the foyer. I need to get away.

“I didn’t know how to say this to you, so I wrote a song.”

His words penetrate. Even though my name in the song was a tip-off, I still can’t process what’s happening. “You wrote?” I clear my throat. “Youwrotethelyrics?”

He cracks a slight grin, which disappears almost immediately. “I did. For you.”

Wow. He actually was able to write lyrics again. Happiness bubbles up at his success, which I squelch. He. Left. Me. “You’re an asshole.”

He nods. “I know.”

In the foyer, I pace. “You were discharged from the hospital and you didn’t tell me.”

“I was a jerk.”

“Understatement,” I scoff. He can’t worm his way back into my life with a stupid song. Even if the song wasn’t stupid. It was powerful.Too. Bad.

“I’m here now. And I’m not going anywhere ever again. I want to be with you forever.”

My heart flips, yet my overheated blood boils. How dare he show up at my doorstep and do this to me? Wait. “How did you find me?”

“Apex.” He kicks the concrete. “And I might have talked with your sister.”

Juanita ratted me out? My hands land on my hips as I give him my side-eye. “I doubt she told you where I am.”

“Well, in and among cursing me out—that girl has quite the mouth—”

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