Page 80 of My Song for You
She laughed, the sound hard and brittle, ready to break. “Well, it certainly didn’t come from me. Other than Sharon when she guessed the truth, I’ve never told anyone who Logan’s real parents were. Only you knew about it, so the information had to come from you. I warned you that something like this would happen. Will the media now hound him every time he goes out? Am I supposed to get him a bodyguard to keep him safe? Will I have to worry about paparazzi stalking me and searching through my garbage?”
I wanted to tell her none of this would happen, but I didn’t know if it was true or not. Would the leaked story in combination with the band’s upcoming album mean open season on my son? And what would it mean for Callie? Would she be hounded too while Logan was with her? Or would the media quickly grow bored and move on to the next celebrity news story?
“All I can tell you is that I’m sorry. I didn’t want this to happen any more than you did. I certainly didn’t want Logan to find out this way.”
Deep creases formed between her eyes. “What do you mean, ‘find out this way’? How exactly did he find out?”
I told her everything the school had told me.
She sat down hard on her bed and dropped her head in her hands. “None of this was supposed to happen. You need to decide what you want to do when it comes to Logan, but I can’t be with you anymore.” She couldn’t even look at me when she said it.
“What are you saying? You want to take a break?”
She laughed, the sound brittle again. “A break implies we were dating. We were never dating, Jared. We were just screwing. I was someone to entertain you while you weren’t with Tiffany.”
“Tiffany? I’m escorting her to a charity event Tuesday night, but that’s it.” Which I had failed to mention to Callie because I didn’t believe it was important.
“Isn’t that the same as dating?”
“No. Dating implies I’m hoping to at least kiss her. Escorting means just that. I’m taking her to the event ’cause she doesn’t have a boyfriend. She would rather go with a friend than arrange a real date for the night.”
“It doesn’t matter what you want to call it. I still can’t be with you anymore. Logan is our first priority. You need to decide what you want to do with him, especially once the band starts touring. Am I the one who’s looking after him while you’re away? Or will your parents be doing that?”
I opened and closed my mouth like a dying fish, incapable of making any sort of sound. I’d foolishly thought she cared about me, but she never really had. While I hated how this had all come out, maybe it was for the best.
“I don’t know.”
“Well, once you’ve figured it out, be sure to let me know.” She stormed from the room. A moment later, pots banged loudly from the kitchen.
My phone played Aaron’s song. “Yes?” I answered.
“The guys and I are heading over to Santiago’s for a couple of drinks and to watch Burning Wire perform. Nolan’s also coming.”
“Sure, I’ll be there.” Maybe giving Callie some space was a good idea. She was angry and hurt. She needed time to let everything sink in; then we could talk again.
Logan was still watching TV when I entered the living room. “Hey, I have to go out, but I’ll see you tomorrow.” I raised my fist to bump his.
A heartbreaking pout formed on his lips. “You’re not living with me and Mommy?”
“I’m sorry. But would you like to live with me when I’m not touring?”
“Can Mommy come too?”
Yeah, I guess I should’ve seen that coming. “It’s up to your mommy.” I hugged him. “I love you.” It felt good saying that, but at the same time there was a hollowness to the words. Like it wasn’t just Logan I should be saying them to.
The banging in the kitchen had stopped. Not wanting to leave things the way they were, I manned it up and entered the kitchen. Callie was staring at the covered pot on the stove. The electric ring under it burned bright. Tears stained her cheeks.
I couldn’t help myself. I enveloped her in my arms. Instead of resisting my touch as I had expected, she leaned into me. Her soft scent and her soft body in my arms reminded me how right this was.
I pulled back slightly, my arms still around her, and my lips brushed against hers. This felt right too. It also felt right when she parted her lips and let me in.
The kiss that greeted me wasn’t slow and it wasn’t hungry. It was filled with a longing burrowed deep—both down to her bones and mine. It was also a kiss that spoke of goodbye.
I deepened it, my hand on the back of her head, telling her I wasn’t about to walk away from her like she expected. Everyone important to her had disappeared from her life. No way in hell would I be one of them.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” I didn’t give her a chance to respond. I said goodbye to Logan one more time and left.
Chapter 34
