Page 55 of The Sound of Temptation

“No. It isn’t. That man sold his own father down the river. If you leave him, it’ll be like your mother. With money and not a single thing more.”

I bristle at the comparison. “She left with what she wanted. And I’m the one who set this up. I’m in control,” I shout and cradle my pounding head in my hands.

I want to cry. But there’s no point. “I’ve made my choice.”

She slings an arm over my shoulder and pulls me into a hug .“It’s a fucking stupid choice.”

I pull away and frown with all the indignation I can muster, considering if I wasn’t me, I’d feel the same way.

She raises her eyebrows and gives me an unrepentant shrug. “I said what I said. Fight me.”

I roll my eyes. “I know you think you’re helping me, but you’re being an asshole.”

She crosses her arms over her chest and frowns. “Says the asshole who’s looking her best friend dead in the face and lying.”

“Fine, it’s stupid. But I didn’t know what else to do.” I lay down on my side, and she lays down facing me.

She then she wraps her arms around me. “There’s a whole world waiting for you,” she whispers in my ear.

Tears prick my eyes, and I hug her back, desperate to have her optimism rub off on me. I used to be the optimistic one. I miss that part of myself. I’ve been telling myself that as soon as I leave Winsome, I’ll be myself.

But when I’m brave enough to be honest with myself, I’m gripped with a fear that she was just as much of a phantom as the shining knight I saw in Carter.

I’m so afraid that no matter where I am, this Beth who is cowering and cautious, is who I’ve always been. I was the one who talked about leaving. Yet, in the end, I’m the only one who didn’t.

But, I will. I’ve finally found my way out and I’m not going to let anyone derail me again.

I slip out of her hug. Without looking at he ,I reach over to switch off the light.

“Sleep. We’ll talk more in the morning,” she says.

Not if I can help it.

16

Carter

Undeniable

It was hard to watch Beth walk out of here without talking to her again. But it was clear she didn’t want to make a scene, and the last thing I need is for her to be even angrier at me than she is.

And I’d asked Etta to bring me here tonight after she told me about the piano for sale by the guy who owned this place. I had no idea there was some sort of fundraiser, and I couldn’t say no when she asked me to sing .

“Hey, I heard you want to talk to me?” A gruff voice calls from behind me. A quat, stout man dressed in all black with a blue Astros baseball cap is walking over to me. When he lifts his head, I blink. His hat is pulled down low and I can’t see above the tops of his eyes. But the rest of his face is as smooth as mine was before I was old enough to shave.

He gives me a good- natured, knowing grin. “ I’m the owner. Name’s Gary. How can I help?”

I shake the hand he extends. “Sorry. You look really young, that’s all. Nice place.”

“I’m twenty-five. And it’s a dive I inherited when my dad died.” He casts a proud eye over the huge space. “I’ve been running it since last year. Still trying to make it my own. But the old man’s shadow is a big one.”

I nod, “I understand completely. Is that why you’re g

etting rid of the piano?” I point at one I played on stage. “It’s nice, but your asking price is steep for a used Yamaha.”

“Oh, we’re not getting rid of that one. I’m selling one I’ve got out back. You want to see it?”

I nod. “Yeah. And I’ve got cash on me so I can pay today.”

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