Page 25 of Shattered Melodies

As I threw back the drink, letting the burn of the alcohol chase away the ghosts that always seemed to linger, I felt a presence at my side. I turned, already knowing who I would find.

“Nice set,” the man said, his voice low and rough, like sandpaper against my skin. “You’ve got some serious talent.”

I smirked, running my eyes over his muscular frame with undisguised appreciation. “Thanks. I’ve been told I’m good with my hands.”

He laughed, a deep, throaty sound that sent a shiver down my spine. “I’ll bet you are. I’m Jace, by the way.”

“Corey,” I replied, the false name rolling off my tongue with practiced ease. “You from around here?”

He shook his head, his eyes never leaving mine. “Nah, just passing through. But I’m starting to think I might stick around for a while.”

I felt a thrill of anticipation, a spark of reckless desire that I knew could only lead to trouble. But trouble was what I craved, what I needed to chase away the emptiness that always seemed to linger, no matter how many crowds I played to or bottles I drained.

“Is that so?” I purred, leaning in close enough to catch the scent of his cologne, a heady mix of musk and spice. “And what exactly did you have in mind?”

But before he could answer, I felt a hand on my shoulder, pulling me back. I turned, ready to snap at whoever had dared to interrupt, only to find myself face to face with Jimmy, my agent and sometimes best friend at this moment.

“Corey,” He said, his voice low and urgent. “We need to talk.”

I rolled my eyes, shrugging off his hand. “Can’t it wait? I’m kind of in the middle of something here.”

He shot a pointed look at Jace, who had the good grace to look slightly abashed. “No, it can’t. It’s important.”

I sighed, turning back to Jace with an apologetic smile. “Duty calls, I’m afraid. But don’t go too far. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing each other again soon.”

He grinned, his eyes sparkling with promise. “Count on it.”

I let Jimmy lead me away, weaving through the crowd until we reached the relative privacy of the backstage area. As soon as we were alone, he rounded on me, his expression a mix of concern and frustration.

“What the hell are you doing, Liam?” he hissed, using my real name in a way that made me flinch. “You can’t keep doing this, drowning yourself in booze and random hookups. It’s going to catch up with you eventually.”

I shrugged, reaching for the bottle of whiskey I kept stashed in my dressing room. “It’s the only thing that keeps the ghosts away, Jimmy. You know that.”

He sighed, his eyes softening with a sympathy that made my skin crawl. “I know you’ve been through a lot, Liam. More than anyone should have to bear. But this isn’t the answer. You need to find a healthier way to cope, before it’s too late.”

I took a long swig from the bottle, relishing the burn as it slid down my throat. “And what exactly would you suggest? Therapy? Meditation? A fucking juice cleanse?”

He crossed his arms, his jaw set with a determination I knew all too well. “How about talking to someone? Actually dealing with your trauma instead of running from it?”

I barked out a laugh, the sound harsh and bitter even to my own ears. “Trauma? Is that what we’re calling it now? I prefer to think of it as a learning experience. A reminder that love is a fucking lie and happy endings are for fairy tales.”

He shook his head, a sadness in his eyes that made me want to scream. “You don’t really believe that, Liam. I know you don’t. What happened with Caleb it was awful, and unfair, and it never should have happened. But it doesn’t define you. It doesn’t have to be the end of your story.”

I felt a familiar ache in my chest, a pain that had never really gone away, no matter how much time had passed or how far I’d run. “But it is, Jimmy. It’s the only story I have. The only one that matters.”

He opened his mouth to argue, but I cut him off with a wave of my hand. “Look, I appreciate the concern. Really, I do. But I’m fine. I’ve got my music, I’ve got my fans, and I’ve got a hot piece of ass waiting for me at the bar. What more could a guy ask for?”

He sighed, a sound of resignation and defeat. “Just be careful, okay? I don’t want to see you get hurt again.”

I smiled, a brittle, broken thing that felt like a lie even as it stretched across my face. “Too late for that, I’m afraid. But thanks for the sentiment.”

I turned and walked away, leaving Jimmy and his well-meaning concern behind. I knew he cared, knew he only wanted what was best for me. But he didn’t understand, couldn’t understand the depth of the pain I carried, the weight of the memories that never seemed to fade.

No one could. Except maybe…

I shook my head, banishing the thought before it could take root. Caleb was gone, lost to me forever. And dwelling on what might have been, on the future we had dreamed of and the love we had shared, would only lead to more heartache.

I had to focus on the present, on the here and now. And right now, that meant losing myself in the arms of a stranger, in the blissful oblivion of skin on skin and pleasure so intense it bordered on pain.

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