Page 150 of A Ballad of Betrayal and Beauty

“I get it,” I say quietly. “I understand, and while I can’t predict the future, I’ll tell you, truly, that I am in love with them. Both of them.”

When I glance up, he’s watching me. His blue eyes meeting my own.

“Key was always the best thing in my life. I’ve always loved him, ever since I was a little girl. It seems like some kind of predestined miracle we keep finding each other. The universe’s way of trying to make up for all the horrible shitty things we both had to endure growing up. And even though I thought he was lost to me for good, I never stopped loving him. In fact, I was sure there’d never be anyone else. No one could ever replace the space he took up in my heart.”

I lick my lips and swallow.

“But then I met Joel. And meeting him changed my life. Not only that but also changed how I felt about myself. Just in the short time I’ve known him, I’ve fallen head over heels in love with both him and myself. Something I’ve never been able to do. He’s seen something valuable in me besides my looks that no one but Key ever has.”

Dave nods.

“So, I know our arrangement is unusual, but I can’t choose, and I shouldn’t have to. I can’t choose between two halves of my own heart. Can you at least understand that?”

His eyes bounce between mine for a moment then relief washes over me as a smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “Yeah, I think I can.”

A sigh rushes out of me and I close my eyes in relief. “Thank you.”

He steps closer to me. “No, I’m sorry. This has been a really stressful few weeks and . . . well, it was wrong of me to take it out on you.”

“So . . . you really didn’t care about what I did for my job?” I hedge.

He shrugs. “Dusty, we’re in a metal band. If you think any of us would judge you for making a living, then you definitely need to get to know us better.”

I smile as he tips his head toward the door.

“Come on, I’ll buy you a drink for winning us the case.”

“Actually, I might be able to do better than win you the case.”

His blond brows scrunch. “What do you mean?”

“That public opinion problem? Do you think it would be easier to get your fans to believe your side if you had Logan’s confession that he lied?”

His lips part. “I—I mean, shit, yeah . . . but we don’t have that. And I doubt he’ll publicly take back what he said without a huge payout.”

I smirk and pull my purse across my body onto my hip. I dig into it only to retrieve the cassette recorder I stashed there this morning and hold it out to him. “What if I happened to record a little encounter Key and Logan had outside the courthouse?”

Dave takes the recorder from my hands as if it were a fragile baby bird. “You did what?”

“I’m about to save Carnal Sins.”

CHAPTER43

Need You Tonight

JOEL

Even though my ribs are killing me and my face is sore from smiling through the bruises all afternoon, when Key, Dusty, and I walk up the stone path toward the house, I couldn’t be happier. While we’ve all had a few drinks, none of us is drunk, and we share a smile as the door opens and the smell of home engulfs us.

“Welcome home,” Key says, slapping me on the shoulder.

I try not to wince but Dusty catches it, and she mouths to me,Are you okay?

I nod and brush it off. “Thanks, it feels good to be home.”

“Are you tired?” she asks.

I shake my head and find the soft skin of her waist. “Not even a little bit.”

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