Page 55 of Love is a Lyric
“I’m not here to sing.” Piper sat back down next to Chase.
“Tough cookies, darlin’.” He pointed to the back wall, and Piper didn’t need to turn to see what he pointed to. “That girl never came here without a song bursting to get out.”
Ben turned to look at what Tommy meant, and Piper groaned.
Tommy winked. “Consider my kitchen closed to you until you sing.”
“What?” Chase thumped the table. “You’re going to withhold the fried tomatoes from me? I never thought you were cruel, Tommy. Does it count if I put on a wig and pretend I’m Piper?”
Tommy laughed. “No one wants to hear you sing, son. I’ll leave you to convincing Piper.” He sauntered away.
Piper slumped back against the booth and crossed her arms over her chest. “Not doing it.”
“Piper—” Chase started.
“Why is your picture up in here?” He turned to look at her, but she glanced behind him to where fourteen-year-old Piper—braces and all—smiled back at her.
Chase slung an arm over the back of the booth. “Our girl here was something of a celebrity at the pub.”
“No, I wasn’t.” Piper laughed at the idea. The other patrons tolerated a teenager singing on stage, but Tommy encouraged her, pushed her. He’d been the only fan she ever had other than Chase. Not even Julia or Jonathan knew how often she sang here.
Heck, her own sister didn’t even know she could sing.
Ben’s gaze bore into her, willing her to tell him all her secrets. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and shifted her eyes away. “Tommy was convinced that picture would be worth something one day. He didn’t know it would never be worth more than the day it was taken.” She shrugged. “I never wanted to be famous.” She’d only wanted to write her music.
Ben shook his head as if taking himself out of a trance. “My dad mentioned you used to sing and wrote a few songs, but I assumed he meant a school talent show or something.”
Piper’s face heated. She’d never have been able to sing in front of her classmates, certainly not one of her original songs. “This was my safe place.” She should have stopped there, should have ended this conversation before he saw too much. “My mom loved music. It’s where Quinn discovered it, I think. I didn’t take to music until after the accident.” Her voice lowered. “My way to connect with her, I guess.”
Chase’s hand gripped hers on the table, lending her the strength she’d always taken from him.
Tommy stepped up onto the small stage at the front of the pub. It housed an electric keyboard along with a microphone and a stool. He tapped the mic before leaning in. “Welcome to State Street Pub.”
The small crowd cheered.
Tommy’s lips pulled into a grin. “The mic is open tonight, but first, I have a treat for you. Have you ever known someone with the ability to make you feel every one of their words?”
A few people replied with yesses.
Tommy went on. “Well, there is a girl who walked back into my life tonight. She doesn’t want to come up here, so I’m going to need your help. Her name is Piper, and I promise once you hear her, you’ll never be the same.”
