Page 77 of The Broken Keys

Callum will never forgive me. Even if he tries, even if he says all the right things, this will fracture something between us that can’t be fixed. The tattoos on his body will become bitter reminders of what I took from him and how I ruined his life once again.

Because I’m not the woman he thinks I am anymore. I haven’t been for over two years.

My phone is in my purse, dark and silent. I imagine it lighting up with Callum’s name. I imagine answering and hearing his voice, warm and full of love, asking how my afternoon went.

How am I ever going to tell him that I’m pregnant? How will I be able to do it knowing it’s going to hurt him?

The light turns green. The car in front of me accelerates. I press the gas pedal, moving forward through the intersection.

The melody of “Forget Paris” fades out, and I can only think of how it reflects how my relationship with Callum will end. No matter what Jax says, Callum and I will be erased to nothing.

It’s a devastating thought. I don’t want to lose his friendship,but there’s no other way around it. Everything suspends, as if the world is holding its breath.

I’m halfway through the intersection when it happens. Something black flashes in the corner of my eye.

I try to brace myself as metal bends and screeches. My head slams against the window. Everything goes quiet and disappears into the black.

Chapter Sixteen

CALLUM/CASH

Now

Shadowed Truths & Space I Can’t Define

Some moments are already decided long before you realize you’re driving straight into them.

I’m three blocks from the studio when I reach for my phone to call Livianna to see if she’s doing better, only to realize it’s not mine. The case is leather instead of rubber. Livianna’s.

“Fucking hell. How did I do that?” I know exactly how.

I must have slid hers in my pocket by mistake when I hung up with Bren. Which means she has mine.

I flip a U-turn, tires squealing as I head back toward her place. The meeting can wait. I’ll swap phones and be on my way.

There’s a reason this happened. My mind has been swimming in fear since I found Livianna passed out on the floor.

Damn if that didn’t scare the shit out of me. It just goes to show me how completely devastated I’ll be if I lose her again.

That thought sends a sliver of scorching pain through mychest. I shake it off and focus on the here and now, just as my therapist has taught me to.

Traffic is lighter now. It’s afternoon, and the sun is casting long shadows across the residential streets. I drive for a while, focusing on my time with Livianna.

It’s already been a rollercoaster. I can’t help but think her anxiety has to do with the other man she’s been seeing.

Have they been communicating?

Stop it, Cash. It doesn’t matter. If she sees who I am now, there’s still a chance for us.

I reach her neighborhood. The gate guard remembers me and lets me in. I turn onto her street and immediately spot her pulling out of the driveway.

I flash my headlights, trying to get her attention. But she doesn’t stop. She doesn’t even slow down.

She pulls onto the street and heads in the opposite direction, moving fast. Too fast, if you ask me.

“Lily, come on.” I flip around again, following her.

Maybe she didn’t see me. I’m in a loaner car, so it makes sense. She probably doesn’t recognize me.