Page 168 of The Song We Lost

And Rhett.

@reply

That woman is not secretly raising three men’s babies.

@countrytea

What if Bailey cheated on Luke with Jackson and that is why they toured together last year… Why they did an album together. Maybe Bailey is the villain…

@reply

The internet has lost the plot.

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chapter 43

bailey

. . .

Iwoke up tangled in Luke’s sweater. For a few seconds I didn’t move, my cheek pressed against the soft fabric, breathing him in before reality caught up to me. The room was dark except for the pale morning light bleeding around the curtains and my chest didn’t feel as tight as it had the night before. My eyes drifted down to the sweater still clutched in my hands and heat crawled up my neck as flashes from the day before slammed into me all at once.

Crying in his arms, on the floor of the empty house that was supposed to be ours. Luke rocking me against his chest while I completely fell apart.

My stomach twisted as I rolled on my back and stared at the ceiling. I should feel embarrassed. Horrified even. Instead all I could think about was how safe I felt in his arms. How easily my body remembered him, even after everything.

I pushed the blankets back and sat up taking a deep calming breath. I didn’t have to figure out everything today, I just needed to brush my teeth and get some coffee.

I can do that.

After using the washroom and splashing some cold water on my face I came back out into my room, in my underwear and a tank top. I quickly pulled on a pair of leggings and then without thinking about it too hard I slipped on Luke’s sweater. With another centering deep breath I made my way quietly down the hallway toward the kitchen. The house was quiet, and the smellof coffee hit me first, followed by something sweeter… maple maybe. Then I heard it. A voice I would know anywhere.

Luke singing.

I froze in the hallway, my hand instinctively going to my throat to hold in my gasp. I haven't heard him like this in so long.

Just Luke. Soft, raspy and warm.

I moved toward the sound before I could stop myself. The living room opened in front of me and my breath caught. Luke sat in the oversized chair by the windows with Iris tucked against his chest in one arm while he absently rubbed circles along her tiny back with the other. Morning light poured across him, catching the dark strands of his hair and the soft smile on his face as he sang quietly to her.

And god…

Seeing him hold a baby. Like it was the most natural thing in the world. Something deep inside me cracked open. I had spent so long grieving what we lost that I never let myself think about all the things we never even got the chance to have. All the dreams we promised each other, the nursery. Our babies. Growing old here together. A life lived fully.

His voice drifted across the room.

“Every sunset burning gold…