Page 131 of A Ballad of Betrayal and Beauty

“We used to hang out at this abandoned cabin back home. I thought maybe if I went I’d find them . . . but they weren’t there.”

Dave lets out an exasperated sigh. “What about this girl? Is it possible she still has them? How can we get in touch with her?”

I close my eyes again, the image of Dusty standing in my living room burned into the back of my retinas.

“That’s just it . . . I went to Vegas after Iowa. That’s the last place I knew she was.”

“And?”

I laugh darkly. “I guess I never needed to go anywhere. She’s here.”

“Here?” Isabella asks. “Like in San Francisco?”

“Like in the hospital.”

“Thishospital?” Dave and Isabella ask in unison.

I nod.

“But . . . how did she know to come?”

“She didn’t. She . . .” I glance up at the ceiling. “She and Joel are dating, and I had no fucking idea.”

Their silence about sums up how I’ve been feeling since I walked into my house earlier today.

“Wait,” Isabella says, holding up her hand. “The girl you were in love with as a kid . . . is dating Joel? How—what are the odds of that?”

I shrug. “To be honest, it’s like a bad joke.”

Dave’s brows furrow. “But . . . you’re not still in love with her, are you?”

I haven’t prayed in a long time. Not since Dusty left me waiting for her at that bus station. Not even when I was forced into prayer at the academy. But at this moment, I pray. I pray for strength because it kills me to think it, let alone say it out loud.

“I’m so in love with her.”

CHAPTER37

This Woman’s Work

DUSTY

My hand is frozen to the wall when I hear those words. I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. I came out here to check on Key, to let him know that Joel is still asleep—that I’m more terrified than ever before.

I’m so in love with her.

He can’t. He can’t do this to me. I can’t do this.

“You know,” a woman’s voice says, “Becks and I have had this theory for a while that you were desperately in love with some girl. That you hated relationships because someone broke your heart.”

“It’s complicated,” Key says quietly.

“But do you think she still has the songs?” another man’s voice asks.

Songs?

“Dave, this isn’t the time,” the woman says.

“Izzy.” Dave sighs. “Of course it’s the time. She’s here. She might have them on her. We could clear our band’s name.Today.”

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