They’re so stinking cute together.
Me: You look like you had a good night.
Indi: You could say that **laugh emoji**
Me: I feel like I need details. Want to come on my run with me?
Indi: You and your run can fuck right off.
I burst out laughing at her response. Coming back to Echoes Cove has fucking sucked, but I can’t be too mad about it since it gave me her.
Me: **pouty face** but running is good for the soul.
Indi: Running is the devil’s work. Burgers… now they’re the work of the gods. We can grab lunch if you want to?
Me: Grease sounds perfect
Indi: I’ll swing by and grab you, just let me know when you’re back from your run.
Me: Will do
I jump up and get dressed, pulling my hair into a high ponytail and sliding on my arm strap. I absolutely need this run today, even if only to process how I’m going to talk to Raleigh. I bounce downstairs and find Smithy waiting for me in the kitchen. “Miss Octavia, good morning.”
“Morning, Smithy. You have a good night?” I ask as I head to the fridge and pour myself a glass of juice. I grab a bottle of water for my run when I put the juice back.
He smiles at me as he motions for me to sit down. “It was fine, thank you. The repairs to the house were finally completed yesterday, so it was nice to not have to think about that anymore. I’m glad all of that nonsense is done with. Now then, I was wondering if you have anything planned for Labor Day weekend?”
“Nothing at all yet, why’s that?” I ask as he slides a plate of Eggs Benedict in front of me.
“My sister informed me that she’s hosting something of a family get together back east, so I'm thinking about going, but if you’re going to be home…” he trails off, and I shake my head.
“Go. Absolutely go!” I tell him, excited for him. I didn’t even know he had a sister! “I’ll find a way to keep myself busy and alive. You deserve a weekend off.”
“Well, I don’t know about that,” he utters as he sits opposite me with a plate of french toast.Gross. Syrup on eggy bread is just a no from me.
“You have to go. I’ll be so sad if you miss out on seeing your family because of me.” I have to practically beg him to go before he agrees to it. Silly man. I have no blood relatives left—I’m not counting my runaway mother—and I’d do a lot to have some time with my dad again.
Suddenly the itch to run is replaced with an urge to play, and I haven’t felt like this since Dad died. I can’t help but smile. I’ve missed music so fucking much.
I finish my breakfast with a smile on my face as we discuss his plans to go away, and I confirm he managed to secure my birthday present for Indi. Happy that everything’s in order, I put my dishes in the sink. “I’m having lunch with Indi today, so you don’t need to worry about me. I’m going to go and chill in the music room for the rest of the day.”
He motions to my outfit and frowns at me. “I thought you were running.”
“I don’t feel like I need to run right now. There’s a song burning under my skin. I might not have played much since I got back, but there’s no way to ignore a song like that. Plus now that the repairs are done, I want to play. I might reschedule with Indi too…” He nods at me, and I grin before I practically skip upstairs and then head to the music room in the basement that sits in a soundproofed space, along with a small recording studio.
This is my happy place.
I changed a few things with the repairs to make it more my own space now. The chairs are comfier and the colors a little warmer. I’m glad they managed to erase all evidence of what happened here. If I didn’t have this space, I’m not sure how I’d stay sane.
I drop a quick message to Indi to reschedule until tomorrow, because God only knows how long I’ll be in here, and her relief is real at not having to get out of bed. I laugh softly at her insanity before locking myself in the music room.
I sit at the baby grand piano and close my eyes, feeling the music inside of me before placing my fingers on the keys. I can hear it before I even press a single note.
This is what I needed. So I start to play, and nothing can take this from me.
And if anyone tries… well… there will be blood.
Chapter Fifteen