Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 86706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
I wandered over to the closet and ran my hand along the clothes. The realization that he was never coming back came in waves. And when it did, utter sadness consumed me.
Taking one of his shirts off a hanger, I brought it to my face and smelled it, smelled him for the first time. I closed my eyes and let myself get lost in the son I never knew.
Even if you think I’m an overrated buffoon, I’ll always love you.
CHAPTER 29
EMILY
Tristan was quiet as we left the Mahoneys. When we got in his car, he didn’t start it, just leaned his head back on the seat and stared out the window.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Yeah. That was intense, though.” He reached for my hand. “Thank you for holding my hand through this.”
The shock of his touch sent ripples of electricity down my spine. “It’s my pleasure.”
He let go of me. “You were pretty quiet in there. Are you still okay with this process? It must be a lot for you, too—reliving those memories.”
“It’s actually been nice getting to know him all over again.” Sadness about Jacob wasn’t the problem. I’d been struggling with my lingering feelings for Tristan.
“How have you been feeling lately?” he asked.
“In what way?”
“In every way. Mentally, I guess. I’ve been so caught up in learning about Jacob that I haven’t checked in with you.”
I shrugged. “Coming back to Shady Hills wasn’t necessarily good for my mental health at first. I was afraid moving back to my mother’s would bring painful memories. But I’m getting used to it. It’s been easier than I expected.”
“Where would you like to be living?”
“That’s the thing.” I shrugged. “I don’t know. There’s no specific place that comes to mind. But strangely, having you here, showing you some of the places that remind me of happier times, has helped me appreciate Shady Hills more.”
“Well, I’m glad.” He perked up. “Speaking of which, the guys are going to this local bar tonight for karaoke. I was gonna skip out, but I might reconsider if you’d be willing to come with?”
This was the first time he’d suggested we hang out beyond Jacob-related stuff. There was nothing I wanted more than time with him. But I wasn’t sure that was the best idea. “I don’t know...”
“Come on. We could both use a night out after today. It’ll be fun.”
The thought of hanging out with Tristan gave me butterflies, and that was exactly the kind of reaction I was trying to avoid. Still, he was right; I could use a night out. Ethan was away, too, working on an out-of-state construction project with his dad. He wouldn’t be back until tomorrow.
But the deciding factor? The pout on Tristan’s face. That made it impossible to say no. I sighed. You couldn’t get much safer than a karaoke bar. It wasn’t like he and I would be alone.
“Okay. Why not?”
***
As expected, the guys were mobbed at Tim’s Bar, but Atticus and Ronan seemed to soak it up as they always did. Tristan’s bandmates had been photographed all over town lately, causing a frenzy at Shady Hills establishments and flirting with the locals.
The bar was soon packed for karaoke night. I wasn’t sure if it was always this way in the middle of the week, or if people were calling their friends to come down once they realized Delirious Jones was here.
When it was Tristan’s turn to take the stage, the crowd went wild.
He spoke seductively into the mic. “Anything in particular you want me to sing?”
I could practically feel panties melting all over the room as the screams rang out.
“It can’t be one of my songs,” he said. “Something vintage…”
“Song about robbing the cradle?” a drunk Ronan heckled.
I pretended not to hear that. Dickhead.
The crowd’s chattering faded as Tristan began crooning Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
I wondered if choosing that song was intentional—or maybe subconscious. A small-town girl and boy searching for something more in life; maybe it reminded him of Jacob and all his hopes and dreams that never came to be.
I was certain these patrons had never seen such heart and soul poured into a performance at this little old place. Imagine going to a karaoke bar and getting a free concert with Tristan Daltrey.
As he belted out the song, I hung on every word, every note. I missed watching him perform live. And maybe it was the break from touring, but his voice didn’t crack at all.
As the song ended, Tristan was met with thunderous applause. When he returned to the table, I got the sudden urge to wrap my arms around him, smell his hair...kiss him. I missed touching him. He was so close lately, yet so far away.
Almost immediately after he sat down, another set of arms wrapped around him, though. They seemed to come out of nowhere. Long black hair covered his face as the woman went in for a kiss. “Surprise!” she said.