Page 52 of Discover Me
"Thank you." Micah's voice is rough with emotion.
We stand there for a moment, just holding each other in the small practice room. Outside, I can hear the sounds of the building, other musicians practicing and staff members going about their day. But in here, it's just us, trying to figure out how to navigate a situation that keeps getting more complicated.
"I should go," Micah finally says, pulling away. "Pack some stuff, call Jamie, get out of that house before Tom sends someone to supervise my departure or something equally controlling."
"Text me when you're safe." I walk him to the door. "Let me know where you end up so I know how to find you."
"You planning to show up unannounced?" Micah's smile is teasing but there's hope underneath.
"Maybe. If that's allowed."
"It's definitely allowed." Micah kisses me once more, soft and sweet. "I'll see you soon."
He leaves and I stand in the practice room alone, staring at the guitar I abandoned and the piano with his fingerprints still on the keys. Tom just separated us, sent Micah back to an unsafesituation because he couldn't stand the idea of something real developing between us.
I pull out my phone and search for Deputy Morrison's contact information. The police station's number comes up and I dial before I can talk myself out of it.
"Riverside Police Department, how can I direct your call?"
"Deputy Morrison, please. This is regarding the Micah Davis case."
"One moment."
The hold music is generic and annoying, but I wait through it. This is important. More important than Tom's anger or the band's schedule or anything else happening in my life right now.
"Deputy Morrison speaking."
"Deputy, this is Kellan Hayes. You interviewed me a few weeks ago about an incident at a construction site. Micah Davis who fell from a ladder."
"I remember. What can I do for you?"
"I need to update my statement. I think I could identify the suspects if you handed me a lineup."
Micah
I wake up in my own bed for the first time in almost a week and I've never hated it more. The mattress is familiar, the sheets smell like my detergent, the morning light comes through the same window it always has. But everything feels wrong. Too empty, too quiet, too much like going backward instead of forward.
My phone buzzes on the nightstand and I reach for it with my good hand, squinting at the screen. Several texts from Jamie, all sent in the last hour.
Jamie:You awake yet?
Jamie:Check social media. People are talking.
Jamie:Not bad stuff, just the usual speculation about you and Kellan.
Jamie:Lots of people saying you're just a one-week deal. That he'll move on soon like always.
I scroll through the messages, each one making my chest tighter. Of course people are speculating. That's what Tom wanted, what he planned for. Build up the relationship fast so it can crash and burn just as quickly, perfectly timed with the album release. Maximum drama, maximum publicity.
I pull up social media against my better judgment, searching for my own name. The results are overwhelming. Hundreds of posts discussing my relationship with Kellan, analyzing every photo and interaction. Most people seem supportive, saying we're cute together and they're happy for him. But there's an undercurrent of skepticism, fans who know Kellan's pattern and are waiting for this to end like all his other relationships.
"Just a rebound."
"Give it another few days and he'll be done."
"That Beta is enjoying his fifteen minutes of fame."
"When Kellan gets bored, he's going to be heartbroken."
