He pulls up an article and hands me the phone where a headline turns my stomach.
Two Members of Band Killed, One on Life Support.
I read the article, reading the same accounts of what Sarah shared with me. I see the man who did it and read that Sarah used the last name of Hart. Jack stays quiet as I take in everything my girl went through.
At the end, I inhale a deep breath and hand it back to him. “Sorry you lost your friend.”
He sighs and grabs the phone. “He was a decent guy. He and I shared a place for a few months when I first got to New York, before he hooked up with her.” He clicks on his phone to something else and hands it back to me. “This was him, on the right.”
The picture is of Sarah with guys on either side of her. Her outfit is edgy with short shorts and over-the-knee boots. Her tight top covers enough to make it sexy but not slutty. Her hair was darker then. I like her hair now, but I’m digging the way this looks on her.
Seeing my girl like this gives me an instant hard-on. All day, I’ve been working on songs to sing with her. Imagining her next to me onstage, looking like this, would be a fucking dream.
“It took me a while to find this shot, but it was driving me nuts. I knew I recognized her from somewhere.”
“Did you ever see her perform?”
His eyebrows curve in as he nods. “Hell yes, is all I have to say about that. She was something special. She’s why I left New York. When I thought someone with her talent died because of a jealous douche bag, I knew I didn’t want to be in that scene anymore.” He picks up the lyrics I’m working on again. “Is she planning on singing again?”
“If I can get her to.”
His eyes open wide. “Seriously?”
“We haven’t spoken about it, but you’re not the first person to say she has an amazing voice.”
“You haven’t heard her sing yet?”
My laughter catches him off guard. “I’ve heard her singJesus Loves Mewith Cailin, but I get the feeling that’s a little different than what you’ve heard.”
“Why would she sing that with Cailin?”
“Her dad’s a pastor of the local church. She sings there every Sunday. While I was gone, they sang it together.”
“No shit? She’s a churchgoing girl?”
I sigh. “Yep, but I guess her dad has some issues with her seeing me.”
“Ha! If he only knew how straight your ass really was. Are you going to set him straight?”
I stand tall. “If he’ll let me. First things first though. Help me with these lyrics.”
* * *
Jack and I are so lost in polishing the song that we completely lose track of time until Cailin comes running in the house.
“Daddy, Daddy, Daddy. I got invited to a birthday party in a few weeks. Can I go? Pleeeaasssse?” She places her hands under her chin in a begging form that I’m such a sucker for.
“You’re so screwed with that one.” Jack chuckles under his breath as he slaps my shoulder with the back of his hand before he sits up to get another drink.
When Sarah enters the house behind her, I raise my eyebrows in question of this invitation, and she nods her approval.
“Okay. I’ll have to meet her parents and make sure it’s okay if one of us hangs out the entire party, but if Sarah says it’s okay, then you can go.”
“Yes!” Cailin jumps up, throwing her fist in the air. “Thanks, Sarah!” She runs to give her a hug.
I stand to get my hug next. “How was your day, dear?” I tease, making her laugh as I kiss her lips.
When we turn the corner to the kitchen, Sarah is surprised to see Jack standing there. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt. What are you guys working on?” She points to papers spread all over the table.
