Page 23 of The Symphony of Us

“Listen, Sanford wants to drag us to Luna Harbor, but I need to be home,” he states, his voice carrying both urgency and longing, like a desperate plea for understanding.

My arms cross over my chest as I watch Greyson engage in a hushed conversation, his voice resonating with purpose.“Malibu, not Seattle ...Do you think you can set up a team for Aerin and me?”Greyson’s brows furrow in concern, his gaze fixated on an unseen horizon.Confusion tugs at my heart.Then, suddenly he asks, “What’s so funny?”

In an instant, Sanford materializes before us.“What do you mean you’re going to Malibu?”His tone is loud, and desperate.

“Exactly that,” Greyson responds.“I can’t stay in Luna Harbor for long periods.No one is looking for me—Finn can set me up with a team.”

“But Luna Harbor is nearly off the grid.You’ll be safer there,” Sanford argues, his voice filled with concern and a touch of frustration.

Greyson’s green eyes blaze with resolve.“I need to be busy.Staying in some small town is not going to work for me,” he explains, the fire of determination igniting a crimson hue on his cheeks.

As I observe them argue, I realize they’re not listening to each other, only trying to prove something—I’m not sure what.This is sad.We used to be in sync, effortlessly aligning with our desires and decisions.It was so easy to find a common ground, and maybe that’s one of the things I need to do.

Remind them that we can communicate and how anything we decide will affect all of us.And since this will affect me directly, I butt into the conversation.“If you ask me, I’d rather go home to Seattle.”

Their attention is now fully focused on me, and I allow a smirk to grace my lips.“When did this stop being a democracy?”

Grey scoffs.“This has never been a democracy.It’s a monarchy, and you’re the queen.”His tone is tinged with humor.

Sanford’s gaze shifts to me, his focus intense.“Your will to go wherever the fuck you want stops when your safety is at jeopardy.You’re in danger,” he emphasizes, his words heavy with worry.“We have to be sensible and take you to a remote place.Luna Harbor is a small, isolated town where your anonymity can be preserved.”

The very notion of the place sounds indeed suffocating.It’s like a little hell in a souvenir keychain that people can only enjoy for five minutes before they have to run away.I understand now why Greyson resists it so vehemently.

“I don’t want to be in a small town where I don’t know anyone,” I say.“Been there, done that, I don’t need another t-shirt to prove it.I’d rather go to Seattle.”

Sanford challenges me with his gaze, his determination mirrored in his eyes.“You’ll be better off in Luna Harbor,” he insists, his voice daring me to contradict him.

“Are you staying with us, or will you have to leave because your team needs you?”Greyson asks.

“He has a point, San,” Beacon interrupts.“You can’t stay put for long.It’ll be best if you stay in Seattle.”

A groan escapes Greyson’s lips as he contemplates the situation.“My family is there,” he laments.

“They’ll be safer in Luna Harbor,” Sanford argues, his voice unwavering.

“I’ll go to Luna Harbor,” I announce, a spark of defiance dancing in my eyes.“On one condition—you promise not to abandon us there.Should you fail to keep that promise, we will leave immediately.”

Sanford’s scowl is priceless.That confirms that at some point he plans on ditching us.

I shift my gaze to Greyson.“Why Malibu?”

“My house is there,” he starts.“The bars, nightclubs, and my other projects.”

His response is unexpected, and so I have to ask, “You own bars and nightclubs?”

“As you know, Dad owns several around the country.”He lets out a muted mumble.

“They have those in Seattle too.”A smile tugs at the corners of my lips as I retort, “We’ll find new projects, and we have a house.”

“My family is there,” he repeats, as if that should be reason enough to fly to Malibu and never leave the place.

I meet his gaze with a playful glint in my eyes “I know.More reason to be there,” I reply.

Turning to Sanford I ask, “You still own the house in Huntington Point, right?”

Sanford bobs his head in affirmation.“It might need a few updates, but you can do them while I’m away.”

I look at Greyson.“See there’s a project waiting for us,” I playfully remark.

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