Page 142 of Shattered Melodies

The barn filled with the sound of music and the occasional frustrated groan. But slowly, surely, the song began to take shape. And with each note, each word, I felt a little closer to Liam - to the future we were fighting so hard to build together.

As I sang, memories of that day started flooding back. Me and Liam, barely more than kids, huddled together in this very barn, our voices blending in perfect harmony. I couldn’t help but smile, closing my eyes and letting the music wash over me.

Then, halfway through the second verse, I heard another voice join in. My eyes snapped open, and there he was. Liam. Standing right in front of me, a soft smile playing on his lips as he sang the next part of the song.

For a second, I thought I was hallucinating. Maybe I’d finally cracked under the pressure. But then Liam moved closer, his hand reaching out to touch my arm, and I knew he was real.

“Don’t stop,” he murmured, nodding towards my guitar. “Keep playing.”

So I did. Our voices rose together, filling the barn with a sound I hadn’t heard in twenty years. As we hit the climax of the song, I felt something inside me shift and settle. Like a puzzle piece finally clicking into place.

The last note faded away, and for a moment, we just stared at each other. Then, unable to hold back any longer, I jumped up from my seat and pulled Liam into a crushing hug.

“You’re here,” I mumbled into his neck, breathing in his familiar scent. “You’re really here.”

Liam laughed, the sound rumbling through his chest. “I’m really here. Sorry I’m late. Had to finish everything up in New York.”

I pulled back, cupping his face in my hands. “I don’t care about that. You’re here now.” Then I kissed him, pouring twenty years of longing and love into it.

When we finally came up for air, I grabbed Liam’s hand and tugged him towards the edge of the stage. “Come on, sit down. Tell me everything.”

As we settled onto the stage, our legs dangling over the edge, Peanut seemed to materialize out of nowhere. She made a beeline for Liam, meowing insistently.

Liam chuckled, scooping her up. “Hey there, little one. Did you miss me?”

I watched as Liam cuddled Peanut, murmuring soft words to her. The sight made my heart do a funny little flip in my chest. “She’s not the only one who missed you,” I said, bumping his shoulder with mine.

Liam looked up at me, his eyes soft. “I missed you too. More than I can say.”

“So,” I said, leaning back on my hands. “What happened in New York? You finish up that big deal?”

Liam sighed, his expression turning serious. “It’s a long story. But the short version? I quit my job. Left my father’s company.”

I blinked, sure I’d misheard. “You what?”

“I quit,” Liam repeated, a note of defiance in his voice. “Turns out, dear old dad wasn’t just expanding the business. He was buying up companies and running them into the ground. All for profit.”

“Jesus,” I muttered. “How’d you find out?”

Liam sighed, his expression a mix of relief and disbelief. “It’s a long story, but the short version? Well let’s just say that I met someone who changed everything.”

I felt a twinge of unease. “Someone?”

“Yeah,” Liam nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. “His name’s Leon. He’s the CEO and owner of the company. Turns out, he’s been planning to take down my father for a while now.”

I blinked, trying to process this new information. “Leon? How does he fit into all this?”

Liam shifted, his hand finding mine. “He offered me a deal, Caleb. A way out. He bought my father’s company for more than its net worth, effectively cutting my ties to the whole mess.”

“Wait, what?” I sat up straighter, my mind reeling. “Just like that? Why would he do that?”

“Believe it or not, he wanted to help,” Liam explained, his voice soft. “He said he’d been watching my father’s shady dealings for years, waiting for the right moment to strike. When he heard I was back in New York, he saw an opportunity.”

I narrowed my eyes, skepticism creeping in. “And you trust this guy? Someone you just met?”

Liam squeezed my hand. “I know it sounds crazy, but yes. He didn’t just offer to buy the company, Caleb. He gave me a deal that would let me live my life with you. No strings attached.”

My heart skipped a beat at his words, but I couldn’t shake off my wariness. “That’s a lot to take in, Li. How can you be sure he doesn’t have some hidden agenda?”

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