Page 147 of Shattered Melodies

Caleb’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “It’s a surprise. You’ll just have to trust me.”

I groaned dramatically. “You know patience isn’t my strong suit, cowboy.”

“I’m well aware,” Caleb chuckled, taking my hand. “Come on, city boy. Live a little.”

As he led me away from the bustling fairgrounds, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of anxiety. I was damaged goods, after all. A mess of neuroses and bad habits wrapped up in a somewhat attractive package. What if Caleb had finally realized he could do better?

“Hey,” Caleb’s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. “Where’d you go just now?”

I blinked, focusing back on his concerned face. “Nowhere,” I lied. “Just you know. Thinking about tonight.”

Caleb’s expression softened. He squeezed my hand. “It’s gonna be okay, Liam. We’re in this together, remember?”

I nodded, swallowing past the lump in my throat. God, what did I do to deserve this man?

As we walked deeper into the woods, I started to notice something odd. “Caleb,” I said slowly, “why do I smell cherry blossoms?”

He just grinned, tugging me forward. “You’ll see.”

And then, like something out of a dream, we stepped into a clearing. My jaw dropped. Cherry blossom trees. Dozens of them, their delicate pink petals dancing in the breeze.

“Holy shit,” I breathed, taking it all in. “Caleb, how… where did you even find cherry blossoms in the middle of nowhere?”

Caleb shrugged, looking entirely too pleased with himself. “Let’s just say you’re not the only one with connections, Mr. Big Shot Musician.”

I laughed, shaking my head in disbelief. “You’re something else, you know that?”

As we walked further, the path widened, and I spotted a gazebo in the distance. It was decked out like something from a fairy tale - twinkling lights, flowing fabrics, the works. And there, standing by the entrance, were two familiar faces.

“Sarah? Mark?” I called out, my pace quickening. “What are you guys doing here?”

Sarah’s face lit up. “Liam!” She rushed forward, enveloping me in a tight hug. “God, it’s good to see you.”

Mark was right behind her, clapping me on the back. “Welcome home, man. About time you showed up.”

I felt a warmth spread through my chest. These people, this place… it really was home.

“Alright, alright,” Caleb’s amused voice cut through the reunion. “Let the man breathe.”

He guided me towards the gazebo, and out of nowhere, produced a chair. “Have a seat,” he said, a hint of nervousness in his voice.

I quirked an eyebrow at him. “Okay, what’s going on? You guys are being weird. Well, weirder than usual.”

Sarah and Mark exchanged glances, barely suppressing grins. Caleb just shook his head, that maddening smile still on his face.

“Would you just sit down?” he said, a hint of exasperation creeping into his tone. “For once in your life, Liam, just go with it.”

I held up my hands in surrender. “Alright, alright. I’m sitting. Happy now?”

As I settled into the chair, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. What was all this about? My mind raced with possibilities, each more outlandish than the last.

Caleb stepped onto the small stage in the gazebo, and my breath caught in my throat. He looked different. Nervous, but determined. He picked up his guitar - the same one he’d had since high school - and cleared his throat.

“So, uh, I’m not great with words,” Caleb started, his voice a little shaky. “At least, not when it really matters. But Liam, you… you’ve always mattered. More than I think you know.”

I felt my heart start to race. What was happening?

“I wrote this song a while back,” Caleb continued, his fingers absently strumming the strings. “After you left. I never thought I’d actually get to play it for you, but well, here we are.”

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