Page 194 of Fame & Rhythm

Tears spill over again, and it seems to snap him back.

“Okay… is she still there?”

“No. She left.”

“Are you okay?”

“I don’t even know what I am right now, Ast,” I admit.

He sounds like he’s moving again, faster this time. “It’s okay, baby. I’m getting in the car now. I’ll be there soon, all right?”

I nod, sniffing even though he can’t see me.

“Annie,” he says as I hear the ignition turn over.

“Yeah?” I wipe at my cheeks.

“I’m here for you, okay?”

“I just need you right now, Ast. I need you.” Emotion crashes over me again, and I break.

“Hold on, baby. I’m on my way. I’m driving out now. Want me to sing to you?”

“Sure,” I whisper.

He starts singing the first verse of “I Knew You Were Always Mine,” and just like that, something inside me steadies. He stays on the phone the whole way. It only takes three minutes instead of five, so he was definitely speeding.

I’m still sitting on my bed when I hear him bolt up the stairs. The door flies open, and he’s across the room in seconds, pulling me into his arms.

“Are you okay? Tell me what you need.”

I cling to him, holding on tight as warmth floods through me. My body reacts instantly, that familiar comfort settling deep in my chest. I feel better just having him here.

He guides us back onto the bed, letting me curl into him.

“We’ll be in the living room if you need us,” Dad says quietly.

I glance up, not even realizing he’d been standing there. “Thanks, Dad.”

He closes the door, lingering for a second before his footsteps fade down the hall.

“Thank you for coming… and sorry for waking you.”

“Baby, you know if you need me, I’m here. Always.”

I melt back into him, running my hand up his back and threading my fingers through his hair.

Something feels off.

I pull back, glancing down at his shirt, and a laugh slips out.

“What?” he asks, frowning slightly.

“Your shirt’s inside out. I felt the tag.”

He huffs a laugh. “I was in a hurry to get to you.” He pulls me back in, then shifts us so we’re lying on the bed. “So… do you want to talk about it?”

“She was a mess, Ast. Like… really bad. Her hair was this tangled bird’s nest, her teeth were rotting, and her skin…” I shake my head. “Too much of something. Alcohol, drugs… I don’t know. And she was wearing leopard print.” I grimace. “You know how much I hate leopard print.”