“How’s Kevin? It was good to see you guys the other night,” I begin, breaking the silence.
“We both know that’s bullshit,” Christina replies with a kind smile. “Seeing us was salt to an open wound, and I’m sorry for that.”
I shrug. “It is what it is. You’re always welcome in my restaurant, and I’d like it if you came often. I like both of you very much.”
“We like you too.” Christina clears her throat. “Jake says that you still haven’t contacted him.”
“No.” I shake my head. “And I don’t plan to. His efforts are flattering, but I’m just trying to move on.”
“So, you don’t believe in second chances, then?” she asks, putting my guard right up.
“You don’t know anything about me,” I reply coldly. “You don’t know how many second chances I’ve given to people who have thrown me away like I’m trash, and it turns out Jake was no different than the rest of them. So, no, I don’t believe in second chances anymore because I’m the one who ends up disappointed.”
“He definitely doesn’t think you’re trash,” Christina begins, but I hold my hand up, stopping her.
“I said I would come if we didn’t talk about Jake.”
She takes a deep breath. “You’re right. Instead, let’s talk about me.”
I raise a brow. “Okay.”
“Did Jake tell you how I lost my leg?”
I shake my head, not sure how much I should say, and definitely keeping my guard up.
“I was in a car accident, after Jake and I had a pretty brutal argument. I was irritated with him, but that’s not what caused the accident. It was simply that: a freak accident, and I ended up upside down at the side of a freeway, my leg trapped between the steering wheel and the seat, and the doctors couldn’t save it.
“It was no one’s fault, but Jake stupidly shouldered the blame for a very long time. He was convinced that it was his stupid actions that made me lose my leg. And there are other factors there that he should probably be the one to tell you about.”
“Not that I’m not sympathetic, but why are you telling me all of this?”
“Because I think you’re good for my friend, and I just wanted to give you some insight into why Jake reacts the way he does sometimes. Thinking that you might have been in that accident last week after you’d argued put him in a bad head space. I think he’s trying to make up for that now.”
“Look.” I stand up and begin to walk away. “I understand what you’re saying. I do. I’m sorry that all of you went through that time. But honestly, I feel like I’m being punished for the past. I didn’t do anything wrong, but I was punished anyway, and frankly, I can’t give him the opportunity to do it again.”
I shrug, holding my hands out at my sides as I back away from Christina, who simply looks sad. “I wish you nothing but the best,” I tell her. And with that, I walk away, not looking back.
Chapter Eighteen
Jake
I’m sitting on the bench next to Max at the piano, singing the final few lines of Addie’s song. I finished writing it yesterday and asked Max to come in the studio with me to fine-tune, as only he can. The man is amazing when it comes to the melody, and he took my good song and made it fucking perfect.
Tiffany, Cami, and Mia are sitting nearby, watching with matching expressions of wide eyes and surprise as they take in the lyrics and melody. I was surprised when Mia and Cami accepted my invitation to come listen to Addie’s song. They’ve been nice enough to help me out over the past week, giving me a heads-up on where Addie was so I could have the flowers delivered directly to her, but now they’re going above and beyond, and I appreciate them.
Addie has some amazing people in her life.
And having them here is like having a piece of Addie here too, and I don’t give even one fuck about how silly that sounds. I’m desperate these days.
I hope their dropped jaws are a good sign. I know it’s a great song. I feel it in my bones, the way I do when I know that a song is going to be a hit. This song is that good, but will Addie like it? Because that’s the most important thing.
When the last note fades, all three girls stand, applauding. Cami wipes a tear from her cheek.
“Yeah?” I ask, hope surging in my chest.
“Oh yeah,” Cami says with a nod.
“Not just yes, but hell yes,” Mia agrees. “It’s so beautiful, Jake.”
“You know,” Tiffany says as all three girls approach the piano and lean against the side. “I’ve heard your love songs before. You’ve written songs that have won Grammys that were gorgeous love songs—”
“But they never felt like this,” Max finishes for her, smiling at her. “That’s what I told him too.”
“It’s special,” Cami says with a nod. “She’s going to love it, Jake.”
I nod, relieved. “I hope so. This has to work. It’s my last option.” I glance at Mia. “Did you talk to Mike?”
Mia, Cami, and Addie’s friend Mike have agreed to take on the weekend gig at Seduction until they’re able to replace me with someone steady.
“Yep, and he said that he’ll play ‘Drops of Jupiter,’ and you can come up onstage after that. He’ll be ready for you, and you can use his guitar.” Mia grins, then shakes her head. “I can’t believe you roped us into helping you so much this past week.”