Page 140 of Sing You Home (Nashville Star 1)

He’s going to get Sal.

The image of his wife, running from him last night, is seared into his brain. He’ll never forgive himself if he doesn’t go to her and make amends. How he’ll even start, the hell if he knows, he just has to make it right.

Luke scowls at the empty pack of cigarettes and tosses it in the trash. Clenching his jaw, he shrugs on a clean white T-shirt, blue jeans. He’s sobered, showered, and sane. Never again will he sink like he did before. That was the past and he has a present. With Sal.

He knows he doesn’t deserve her. That he has no right to ask her to stay. He did this to himself. He’s the one who chased her away with his lies, his bullshit, but he has to try.

He’s angry at himself for being a coward, for never giving Sal what she so desperately wanted back. Her memory. The truth. She had asked that of him and he had denied it. What kind of man was he?

And yet, he’s going to her.

It might take a thousand lifetimes to make it up to her, but he will. God damn him if he doesn’t.

The keys ... Luke rushes to the dresser, hunting for the car keys he tossed there last night right before he went on his bender. Spying them behind a picture frame, he grabs them. He’s turning when he sees a form in the doorway.

His breath catches.

“Sal,” he says softly.

He doesn’t even know how long she’s been watching him, waiting, but here she is.

Green eyes shining with tears, Sal’s still dressed in her gown. Her dark hair haloed around her pale face. She looks exhausted, pain fraying her beautiful edges, but also strong and determined.

Before Luke can say a word, she holds up a pair of car keys. “I beat you,” she says, flashing a small smile.

His throat bobs with emotion as he stares at his wife.

“I was comin’ to get you,” he says.

Sal bites her lip. “I know.”

“Darlin’, listen—”

“No.” She enters the bedroom, stepping over strewn clothes, a bottle of whiskey, uncaring about the mess. “I go first.”

Luke’s stomach dips, his chest tightens, dreading her next words. But he steels himself. He deserves whatever she gives.

“I had a long night of thinking about things.” Sal’s eyes drift downward. “I spent the night alone, in a hotel, wondering what to do. Wondering if everything I thought was true. And I realized that ... it wasn’t. I missed you. I need you, Luke.” When she looks up, her eyes glisten with tears. “If you still want me.”

The words detonate something inside Luke. In two fast boot-stomping strides, he’s crossing the room. He cradles Sal’s face in his hands and crushes her mouth with a kiss. She doesn’t resist, instead leaning into the kiss just as desperately. She whimpers as he plunges his hand into her hair. As he breathes her into him like his last breath.

She pulls away with a gasp. Tears stream down her face. “I’m so sorry, Luke. What I said to last night you was cruel.” Regret cracks her voice. “I should have heard you out—”

Luke pulls her tighter, shaking his head to silence her apology. “No. I’m sorry. You have nothing to apologize for.” He cups her cheek, his fingers tangling in her hair. “I should have told you the truth. But it scared the hell out of me because I didn’t want to hurt you. I didn’t want anything to get in the way of your health. I was a coward. Selfish.”

Sal frowns and palms his stubbled cheek. “Oh, Luke ...”

“I was. I was terrified that if told you, I’d lose you.” He swears at himself. “The part I’ve been playin’ in keepin’ you from rememberin’ ...”

“No. No. You didn’t do any of that.” A tear slides down her face. Luke brushes it away with the pads of his fingers. In his arms, she’s trembling. “You’ve helped me remember what I couldn’t. Showed me a love I never knew was possible. You helped me live again.”

“Still, if I could go back, I’d tell you everything.”

“You don’t have to. Seth and Lacey explained it all.” Sal looks at him tenderly.

“You’re a good man, Luke. You have to forgive yourself. I do. I forgive you. I believe you. I believed you then and I believe you now.”

Those words from Sal’s mouth, words he never thought he’d hear, destroy Luke.

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