He gave me a small smile.We both knew the truth.
“But you do get some credit,” I relented.
His sadness slipped away.
I continued.“A lot of my favorite childhood memories have you in it.You taught me how to go after the things I love.If I didn’t have music, I have no idea how I would have turned out.Not this functional, I imagine.”
“Naw, you’re a good girl, in this universe and in any other.I don’t think you know how to be a bad person.”
His words hit something in me that had been pushed deep down and away, in the darkness that seemed to pull at me every day.That little light in me that had nearly been snuffed out until I met the guys.
One of the conversations I had this past week with Dr.Arason was how I perceived myself.It was eye-opening to say the least and gave me a lot to think about.I truly did think I was a bad person.I destroyed my family as a child.I hurt Lindie, which ultimately led to the miscarriage.I didn’t have a little brother because I opened my mouth at the wrong time.
It was hard to not feel like a murderer when I knew if I had kept my mouth shut, I’d have a little brother like Cal.Hell, maybe they could have become best friends.And because of the miscarriage, Lindie broke.Something inside of her snapped.She wasn’t a great mom growing up, just neglectful, but afterward?I truly broke her.And I was living with that.Knowing that if I had just not said anything, the life she had been growing inside of her would have had a chance.I destroyed that.
I swallowed all those thoughts and gave Dad a shaky nod, letting him know I heard him.I just didn’t believe him.I wasn’t sure if I’d ever believe him.
A girl about my age came over to ask how to hit a singing note, so after giving Dad a smile, I worked with her.She had a beautiful, soft voice, and when she finally hit that high note like she was supposed to, I high-fived her, getting wrapped up in her happiness.
“Cadence?”The smooth voice sent a tendril of discomfort down my spine.
I looked over to see a tall, lean man standing in the doorway in a nice suit.Dark eyes, short military hair, and a confidence in his existence that always set me on edge.
“Mr.Laurens.”I frowned.“Why are you here?”
He chuckled and entered.Paxon had been talking with Cal but stopped when he saw the man.Even my dad was looking at him confusedly.
Mr.Arden Laurens completely stuck out here.I wasn’t even sure if he knew children existed.Probably not in his world.He was a hot shot movie producer I was working with.He had reached out to my favorite charity—Hope’s Embrace—to create a musical meant to bring awareness to domestic violence.Hope’s Embrace only agreed if he worked with me for the music.It’d been stop and go since he was a busy man traveling the world.Last I knew, he was still out of state.
Laurens pulled out an envelope.“I’m dropping off my donation to the center for the fundraiser.Didn’t think I was going to see you here.”
“Oh.”I glanced at the envelope, wondering how much he was donating.And how he even knew about it.But I also knew the center was relentlessly advertising the show, so he probably heard it on the radio, or social media, or in the news.Anywhere really.Almost all the businesses in the Tri-Town had a flier up.Anyone living in Higginham, Faydelle, and Coronac Falls knew this was happening.The main sponsor for this was Seth’s construction company and they had done an amazing job publicizing it.
As far as I knew, we’d already raised more than enough money to do all the repairs on the center and had almost enough to fund its expansion.Community members were now submitting proposals on how to utilize the new space.I was even working on my own with the help of Bryan.
“Well, it’s nice to see you,” I said, hoping he’d realize I didn’t really want to talk to him.I couldn’t be rude, I needed the work he was throwing my way, but he also made me really uncomfortable.
Paxon knew that and was at my side instantly to show that I wasn’t alone.Laurens glanced at him, his lip turning up slightly before he practically dismissed him and turned back to me.“Thought I’d just say hi.”He waved the envelope again before turning and leaving us standing there.
“Who is he?”Dad asked, frowning as he stared after the man.
“Arden Laurens.He’s working with Hope’s Embrace to create a musical.I’m writing the music for it.”
“Oh.”Still Dad kept frowning.
If Dad was picking up on the same bad vibes, then didn’t it mean there was something to be wary about?Maybe it wasn’t just me?
Both my eyebrows rose when my dad and Paxon exchanged a look—a silent moment of understanding, as if their minds had landed on the same exact thought.
“What?”I asked.
“What, what?”Paxon asked, finally looking at me.
I pointed at the two of them.“What just happened?”
“Nothing.”Dad pulled me into a side hug.“I need to get going for an appointment with a potential client.”He kissed the top of my head.“I’m so proud of what you’re doing here.You’re good at it too.”
I snorted.“Imposter syndrome, right?”
