Page 16 of Love is a Harmony
Jo:Found him yet?
She was about to reply when a notification at the bottom of her screen caught her eye. One missed call.
Sweat dripped into her eyes as she hit the green icon.
Noah.
He’d called at 3:02. Ten minutes ago.
She didn’t hesitate before calling him back, praying he’d answer.
When his voice came over the line, it wasn’t what she’d expected.
Because Noah Clarke, bad boy rocker, was crying.
“Mel.” The way he uttered her name broke her.
“Noah.” She had so many questions for him.Where are you? What happened?
“I didn’t know who else to call.” There were so many people he could’ve called. Jo, for one, but also Drew, Ben, or Dax. Yet, he’d chosen her, and she wouldn’t make him second guess his decision.
“What do you need?”
“I need…” He sucked in a shaky breath. “You. I need you, Mel.”
5
Noah
Noah let the phone fall from his hand as soon as Melanie hung up. It thunked against the linoleum. He sat leaning against the kitchen cabinets, his knees curled into his chest and his brother’s letter dangling from his fingertips.
He didn’t know why he’d called Melanie, but after reading Carson’s words, his request, Noah needed to hear someone’s voice. And not just anyone. Someone who knew him, the rock star version of him who let troubles slide off his back. For just a moment, he’d wanted to feel invincible.
And Melanie… she’d always believed in him, even when he didn’t believe in himself.
He could’ve called Jo, but her tough love wasn’t what he needed.
Melanie’s words ran through his mind. “I’m coming, Noah. I’ll be there, okay? Do you believe me?”
“Yeah, Mel.” His voice had been so low it was amazing she heard him. “I always believe you.”
Then, she’d left to book her ticket, and Noah only had to get through the next twelve hours alone.
Alone.
Well, not for long.
He lifted Carson’s note. “Why, Carson? Why me?”
Noah,
If you’re reading this, something has happened to me before I made my way back to you. I don’t know what could take me away from my little girl, what kind of death would be that cruel, but this letter is about you. Well, you and her.
You’re my best friend. I haven’t spoken to you in years, but still, you’re the person I love most in this world. Well, second most. Which brings me to Stella. I know you probably hate me for abandoning you. I know I deserve it. But I’ve followed everything you’ve done. The music that makes thousands feel. The scandals I suspect are your way of reaching out to me. You know what I’d say. You’re better than that, you wanker.
Noah wiped his face. He wasn’t better than that. Carson only saw what he’d wanted to see.
I won’t waste time explaining why I never came back. You lived that life with me, so you know. As for you, I had a plan for when we’d get our big cheesy reunion. I guess you reading this means it didn’t happen.
