Page 48 of The Broken Keys

“I don’t know. Maybe the new me is too laid back…too boring?” The insecurity I’ve been carrying since this morning finally spills out. “Maybe you need more than what I can give you now.”

She reaches for my hands and squeezes them. “Callum, no. Your sobriety and growth are not boring. They’re beautiful.”

But even as she says it, her eyes drift toward her purse, where her phone sits. She’s been checking it all evening, waiting for something, or someone I can’t compete with. I can’t help but think it has something to do with the business meeting she forgot about.

What if it isn’t work she’s waiting on? What if it’s him? Is she involved with someone she works with? I shake the thoughts loose. The song shifts to something slower and more intimate.

“Dance with me?” I pull her toward the center of our section, needing to feel her close, needing to reclaim whatever we started to build.

“I’d love to.”

When she steps into my arms, for a moment, it feels right. Her body fits against mine the way it always has. I can almost pretend the distance I’ve been feeling is just in my head.

I start singing along to the chorus, low enough that onlyshe can hear, and she laughs. It’s the first genuine laugh I’ve gotten from her all day.

“Some things never change, rockstar.” She nestles against me.

“Some things shouldn’t.” I spin her and pull her back to my chest. “Lily, I need you to know how grateful I am. For this chance and for you being willing to try again.”

She peeks up at me, and for a split second, there’s something raw in her expression. Confusion, maybe. But then it’s gone, replaced by that polished grin.

“I’m grateful too, Callum.”

Something in the way she says it makes my stomach clench. It’s like she’s reading lines from an old script instead of speaking from her heart.

The music changes again to something harder, and the crowd on the main floor erupts in cheers. That’s when I see them pushing through the VIP area, and my blood turns to ice.

Zara Blackthorn and Sebastian Holloway, her constant, troubled ally, trailing behind her like a well-dressed shadow. Zara notices us right away and beelines toward us.

My body stiffens, but I keep dancing, trying to will her to mind her own fucking business for once. That fails, and she gets right up to the rope that separates us. I try to spin away, but Livianna stops and digs her heels in.

“Well, well.” Zara’s voice cuts through the music. “Isn’t this just like the old days?”

Livianna tenses in my arms. Every protective instinct I have springs to life.

I curl my hands into fists. “This is nothing like the past.”

“Oh, yes, it is.” Zara’s posture is pure venom. “The same players with secrets and lies.”

Sebastian steps forward with that predatory aura I remember from years ago. “Still the same hot-headed Cash, I see. Some things never change.”

“Stay out of this, Sebastian.” A familiar rage builds in my head.

“Or what? You’ll throw a tantrum like you used to?” He inches closer to Livianna. “Maybe Livianna needs someone more stable now.”

Every muscle in my body coils tight.

I growl. “Stay the fuck away from her.”

“Callum…” Livianna’s hand grips my arm, but I barely feel it.

“We don’t want any trouble, Zara.” Livianna steps slightly in front of me. “Let’s leave the past behind us. Just walk away.”

I hate that she feels like she needs to protect me.

“Trouble?” Zara shrieks with laughter. “I’m just making conversation. Catching up with old friends.”

“What’s wrong, Cash? Afraid she’ll realize what she’s been missing?” Sebastian reaches toward Livianna’s waist.