Page 118 of Broken Lines

And she fuckingsings.

“There’s a song in my ear, there’s a hope that you’re near,

When I’m lost on the rocks and I’m sinking

When the boats goin’ down, all I’m thinkin’,

Is the melody you sang to me to sleep…

Is the one pulling me down to the deep.”

The room goes absolutely silent. I meant to keep playing, but…I lose the ability when Melody opens that mouth and sings pure fucking emotion and magic.

Holy.Fuck.

A second of absolute silence hangs over us, before suddenly, her eyes fly open. Her face pales like she’s just realized what she’s done. And instantly, that emotion turns to ash on her face as she crumples in on herself.

“Oh my God—”

“Melody—”

She all but drops the guitar to the floor as she bolts from the chair. But, no.

This stopsnow.

I know she’s in pain. I know that fucking monster from her past hurt her in ways no one—even me—will be able to process or understand to the fullest extent. I know opening her mouth and letting the emotions inside of her come out in the form of sound and voiced colors terrifies her. I know it shoves her right back into that dark fucking hole inside of herself.

But I’m notlettingher go back there. Not anymore. Not when I’ve seen the freedom on her face when she actually gets to spread her wings.

“Stop.”

She gasps as I jump from my chair, surging in front of her to block her flight from the room. She’s shaking, her eyes wild as she tries to dodge past me. But I grab her wrists tight, yanking her into me. I grab her face, forcing her tear-streaked, terrified eyes to look at me.

“Jackson, please…I—”

“Stop.”

I shake my head slowly, stabbing my gaze right into the heart of her.

“Sing.”

She starts to cry.

“Jackson—”

“I know you’re fucking scared, sweetheart,” I rasp. “But Iknowwhat I just saw and heard. So, I need you to—”

“I can’t!” She sobs, choking as she starts to shatter in front of me. But I don’t let go. I don’t let her look away from my eyes as I lock us together.

“Yes, you can.”

“I—!”

“What he did to youdoes not fucking define you.”

The room hums with the ferocity of my voice and the sharp intake of her breath. She blinks, staring up at me with this mix of anger, fear, heartache, and determination.

“Own it,” I growl thickly.

---