Page 57 of Shattered Melodies

I sighed, running a hand over my face. “Feel like it too. It’s been a day.”

She nodded, already reaching for a beer glass. “I can tell. This one’s on me, honey. You look like you need it.”

“Thanks, Jane. You’re a lifesaver.”

She winked, sliding the beer across the bar. “Don’t I know it.”

I felt like I was being pulled in a million different directions at once. Part of me wanted to run, to hide. To pretend that he’d never come back, that the past was just that - the past, dead and buried and gone for good. But another part of me, a deeper, truer part. That part wanted answers, wanted closure. Wanted to look him in the eye and ask him why, why he’d given up on us so easily.

Why he’d left me behind, without a word or a backward glance.

I was so lost in my thoughts, so caught up in the whirlwind of my own emotions, that I almost didn’t notice the figure eyeing me from across the bar. Then I heard a familiar voice, a warm, teasing laugh that made my heart skip a beat in my chest.

“Look who finally decided to grace us with his presence.”

I turned, a grin spreading across my face as I saw Sarah and Mark making their way towards me. They looked good, looked happy. Like they’d finally found their place in the world, their purpose and their peace.

And as they slid into the seats beside me, as they wrapped me up in hugs and laughter and the easy, uncomplicated warmth of their friendship.

“So,” Mark said, signaling to Jane for a round of drinks. “You gonna tell us what’s got you looking like you just saw a ghost? Or do we have to start guessing?”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. I didn’t want to burden them with my problems, didn’t want to drag them into the tangled mess of my past.

But I also knew that I couldn’t do this alone, couldn’t face the demons that had haunted me for so long without their help, their support.

“It’s Liam,” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. “He’s back. He bought their old house.”

There was a long, heavy silence. I could feel their eyes on me, could sense the shock and the concern and the endless, aching compassion.

“I’m so sorry. I can’t even imagine how hard this must be for you, seeing him again after all this time.” Sarah said finally, her voice soft and gentle.

“I don’t know what to do,” I admitted, my voice cracking with emotion. “I don’t know how to feel, or what to think. I just… I need answers, Sarah. I need to know why he left, why he gave up on us so easily. But I’m so scared, so fucking terrified of what I might find out.”

She reached out, taking my hand in hers. Her skin was warm and soft, her touch a gentle reminder that I wasn’t alone, that I had people who loved me, who believed in me.

“I know, honey. I know. But you know what? You’re stronger than this. Stronger than the fear, stronger than the pain. And you’re not alone, okay? You have us, and we’re not going anywhere.”

They were the ones who had picked me up when I fell, who had held me together when I thought I might shatter into a million pieces.

But then Sarah cleared her throat, her expression turning serious. “Listen, Caleb. There’s something you should know.”

I felt my stomach drop, a sudden sense of unease washing over me. “What is it?”

Sarah hesitated, biting her lip. “Liam, he came into the diner the other day. But he asked me not to tell anyone he was back in town, said he needed some time to adjust and figure things out.”

He’d talked to Sarah, confided in her. And she hadn’t told me.

“Wait, hold up,” I said, my voice rough with emotion. “You’re telling me that Liam, the guy who broke my heart and left me in the dust, waltzes back into town and has a cozy little chat with you and you didn’t think to mention it to me?”

Sarah flinched, her eyes filling with guilt. “Caleb, you gotta understand. Liam didn’t want anyone to know he was here, especially not you. He made me promise not to say anything.”

I shook my head, feeling a surge of anger and hurt.

Mark put a hand on my shoulder, his expression sympathetic. “Come on, man. Don’t be like that. Sarah was just trying to respect Liam’s wishes, to give him the space he needed.”

I sighed, running a hand over my face. I knew they were right, knew that I was being unfair. But goddamn, it hurt.

“I’m sorry,” I said finally, my voice low and rough. “I know you were just doing what you thought was right. It’s just… it’s a lot to process, you know?”

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