Page 129 of Shattered Melodies

The conversation flowed easily after that, catching up on each other’s lives beyond the Liam situation. It felt good to laugh and joke with them, to remember that there was more to my life than just the ranch and my relationship drama.

As the lunch crowd started to filter in, filling The Grove with the usual hustle and bustle, we decided to call it a day.

“Same time tomorrow for our first practice?” Sarah asked as we stood up.

I nodded, feeling a surge of anticipation. “Definitely. I’ll clear out a space in the barn.”

Mark clapped me on the shoulder. “Don’t stress too much about it, alright? We’ve got your back.”

As I walked out of The Grove, I felt lighter than I had in weeks. The sun was shining, a warm breeze rustling through the trees. For the first time in a long time, I felt like everything might just work out.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. A text from Liam.

“Missing you like crazy. Can’t wait to come home.”

I smiled, typing out a quick reply. “Miss you too. Hurry back.”

As I drove back to the ranch, my mind was already racing with plans for the performance. Song arrangements, stage setup, what to wear it was overwhelming, but in the best possible way.

I pulled up to the house, spotting Peanut sunbathing on the porch. She meowed demandingly as I approached.

“Hey there, furball,” I said, scooping her up. “You’ll never guess what your dad’s got planned.”

Peanut just purred, nuzzling into my chest. I chuckled, scratching behind her ears.

“Yeah, I hope he likes it too.”

As I settled onto the porch swing, Peanut curled up in my lap, I pulled out my old guitar. The strings were a bit out of tune, but the feel of it in my hands was as familiar as breathing.

I started to strum, the melody of Liam’s song flowing from my fingers. It was rusty, sure, but it was there. The words came back to me, a flood of emotions I’d kept bottled up for years.

“Well, what do you think?” I asked Peanut as I finished. “Think we can pull this off?”

She blinked up at me, then stretched and settled back into my lap. I took that as a yes.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold, I played through the song one more time. Each chord, each word, was a piece of my heart laid bare.

It was terrifying, sure. But it also felt right. Because at the end of the day, this wasn’t just about saving the ranch. It was about showing Liam - and myself - that I was all in. That no matter what life threw at us, we’d face it together.

And as I hit the final note, letting it ring out into the evening air, I felt a sense of peace settle over me. Because we had each other. And really, that was all that mattered.

CHAPTER 35

Unexpected Ally

LIAM

Damn it, I hated this. The suit felt like a straight jacket, the tie a noose around my neck. How had I ever thought this life was for me?

“Screw it,” I muttered, veering off course towards a nearby coffee shop. The tech deal could wait five minutes. I needed caffeine, stat.

The aroma of freshly ground beans hit me as I pushed open the door, instantly soothing my frayed nerves. I stepped up to the counter, eyeing the menu.

“Large Americano, extra shot,” I told the barista, already fishing for my wallet. “And make it quick, yeah?”

The barista raised an eyebrow but nodded, turning to prepare my drink. I drummed my fingers on the counter, impatience bubbling up inside me. Why was everything in this city so damn slow?

As I waited, I pulled out my phone and hit Jimmy’s number. He picked up on the second ring.

---