Page 123 of Shattered Melodies

I whirled around, anger flaring hot and fast. “You did what?”

Jimmy stood his ground, his chin lifted defiantly. “I threw them out. All of them. You don’t need that shit, Liam. Not anymore.”

“That wasn’t your decision to make!” I shouted, frustration and fear making my voice crack. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

“Your friend,” Jimmy shot back, his voice rising to match mine. “Someone who gives a damn about you and doesn’t want to see you drown yourself in a bottle every time things get tough!”

I opened my mouth to argue, but Caleb stepped between us, his hands raised placatingly. “Alright, alright. Let’s all take a breath, okay?”

He guided me to the couch, his touch gentle but firm. As I sank into the cushions, I felt the fight drain out of me, leaving nothing but exhaustion in its wake.

“You okay?” Caleb asked softly, his eyes searching mine.

I let out a bitter laugh. “Okay? No, Caleb, I’m not fucking okay. My parents just showed up out of the blue, threatened to expose my identity, and now I find out Jimmy’s been playing sober coach behind my back. So no, I’m not okay.”

Caleb nodded, his hand finding mine and squeezing gently. “I know. I’m sorry. That was a stupid question.”

I sighed, leaning into him. “No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t snap at you. This isn’t your fault.”

“It’s not yours either,” Caleb said firmly. “Your parents had no right to come here and try to bully you like that.”

I nodded, but my mind was already racing ahead, thinking of the implications of what had just happened. The Tektron deal, my parents’ threats, the potential exposure of my identity… it was all swirling together in a nauseating mess.

“I have to go back,” I said finally, the words tasting bitter in my mouth. “To New York. I have to finish this deal.”

“What?” Caleb sat up straighter, his eyes wide. “Liam, no. You can’t let them manipulate you like this.”

I shook my head, feeling a strange sense of calm settle over me. “It’s not manipulation, Caleb. It’s taking responsibility. I started this deal, I should see it through.”

“Then I’m coming with you,” Caleb said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

But I knew I couldn’t let him do that. Not with everything going on here. “No, Caleb. You need to stay here. The ranch needs you, the fundraiser needs you.”

“Fuck the fundraiser,” Caleb said, his voice rising. “You need me.”

“I do need you,” I said softly. “But right now, I need you here more. Keeping things going, making sure we have something to come back to when this is all over.”

Caleb opened his mouth to argue, but Jimmy cut in. “He’s right, Caleb. We can’t let the ball drop on the fundraiser. Not when we’re so close.”

Caleb looked between us, frustration clear on his face. But finally, he nodded. “Fine. But I don’t like this, Liam. Not one bit.”

“I know,” I said, leaning in to press a soft kiss to his lips. “I don’t either. But I promise, I’ll be back for the fundraiser. I just need to get this mess sorted out first.”

I turned to Jimmy, who was watching us with a mix of concern and resignation. “Can you book me a flight? As soon as possible. I want to get this over with.”

Jimmy nodded, already pulling out his phone. “On it. You sure about this, Liam?”

I took a deep breath, trying to quell the anxiety bubbling in my chest. “No. But I don’t see any other choice.”

As Jimmy stepped away to make the arrangements, Caleb pulled me close, his arms wrapping around me tightly. “I hate this,” he murmured into my hair. “I hate that they can still get to you like this.”

I sighed, burying my face in his chest. “Me too. But this is the last time, Caleb. I swear. After this deal is done, I’m out. For good.”

Caleb pulled back slightly, his hands coming up to cup my face. “You promise? No more letting them dictate your life?”

I nodded, feeling a surge of determination. “I promise. This is it. The last hurrah of Liam Denison, corporate lawyer. After this, it’s just me. Just us.”

Caleb smiled, but I could see the worry still lingering in his eyes. “Okay. But you call me every day, alright? And if things get too intense, if you need me, I’m on the first flight out. Fundraiser be damned.”

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