Chapter 19
Ryder
Isettle into my seat, ready to read my book. There’s a tightness in my chest, a feeling that began when Lily held me tight and thanked me for bringing her here. But these aren’t feelings I should have for her.
I wait for her to begin. I’m not sure what I’m expecting her to play. Something light and cute, I guess? Maybe “Für Elise”? That’s pretty much the extent of my piano knowledge.
She hits the first notes with a bang, a low, melancholy progression that travels up the piano and softens as it continues.
I was not expecting this.
I planned on keeping my eyes on my phone, but I’m so startled by that introduction and its contrast with what I know of Lily that I have to look up.
The melody starts, somber and simple. Her fingers curl gracefully as she touches each key.
She leans in on some notes, leans back on others, changing the volume and speed of the piece.
Suddenly her fingers fly over notes up and down the piano, and the music changes intensity, speeding up and leading to a powerful set of notes.
Her hair flies around her shoulders as she plays low notes with her left hand, and her right hand flies up and down the keys, a furious intensity in her expression.
Then the music shifts back to something simple and beautiful.
I should look back at my phone. I should read, like I told her I would.
But I can’t tear my eyes away from her. The music coming from this piano is more than I’d ever expect from this girl—no, woman.
She may only be nineteen, but she’s playing with such emotion and intensity that proves she’s got the maturity of a woman beyond her years.
Yes, she’s quirky and bubbly, but music like this doesn’t come from an immature teenager.
This depth that lies hidden beneath her surface pours out on the keys of the piano.
The music builds again, then tinkers into something cute and light, but quickly transforms, rising in intensity and complexity.
I’m completely transfixed, frozen in place, unable to look away. She’s drawn me in, more than I ever thought possible. I’d believe she was a siren, but instead of her voice, she uses her fingers on the piano.
The music rises and falls, then leads to a moment I swear is beyond human capability. Lily’s left hand bounces back and forth between low and high keys, her right hand rapidly hits notes, and then together they make their way down the board and back up again.
I think the music is over, but she plays a few more notes. Again, I think it’s done, and then she crashes down on more chords, then finally she plays the last loud notes. Her hands have a visible shake as she lifts them off the keys, and I hear her sigh softly.
Then she looks at me, and I think my heart has stopped.
Her wide eyes blink a few times, then an indignant expression fills her face. “You said you wouldn’t watch!”
I’m dumbstruck. She’s right; I said I wasn’t going to pay attention or listen. But I couldn’t help myself, and now I’m caught in a trap.
At my lack of response, she tilts her head to the side. “Ryder?”
I can’t let her know the change that just happened inside of me.
For so many reasons—she’s my best friend’s little sister, her family doesn’t even know we’re hanging out, not to mention everything she’s going through emotionally—I’m not going to rush on the stage and pull her into my arms and kiss her senseless.
No matter how much I want to do that right now.
I clear my throat. “It was hard not to notice all that hair flying around,” I say, covering my feelings with a joke.
She rolls her eyes. “Great. You probably heard all my mistakes.”
“Mistakes?” I repeat. “What are you—” I cut myself off so I don’t sound too emphatic about her music. I shrug it off. “I don’t know. It sounded fine.”
She chews on her lip, glancing at the clock in the corner. I look over and see that it’s one in the morning.
“Do you want to play more?” I ask, hoping she can’t hear the eagerness in my voice.
Her eyes brighten. “Really? You don’t mind?”
I shake my head. “I’ll just read.”
“For real this time,” she says, pointing a finger at me. “No listening.”
She turns back to the piano and sets her fingers on the keys before I can respond.
Which is a good thing, because there’s no way I’d agree to not listen. But I’m smarter about it this time. I keep my head down, only glancing up occasionally to marvel at this incredible, strong, resilient woman as her fingers dance along the keys.
Two hours later, we leave the theater and walk back to Agatha’s house. Lily is bouncing with excitement, a new wave of life imbued in her spirit.
“Can we come back again?” she asks, literally hopping around me as I walk.
“Yes,” I say with a chuckle. “Rufus said we can use the theater any time after hours.”
She squeals and claps her hands. “This is the best thing that’s happened in the last year and a half. No, the last five years.” She puts her delicate hands on my bicep, stopping us both in place. “Seriously, Ryder. Thank you.”
Her blue eyes are full of passion and sincerity. She blinks up at me, and if she asked me to go slay a dragon for her right now, I’d do it. I’d give anything to make her smile, to help her feel alive… To make her feel safe.
“You’re welcome,” I finally say. My voice comes out hoarser than I meant.
She smiles up at me, then gives a light shiver.
“Are you cold?” I ask. “Your dress is pretty thin.”
“I’ll be fine.” But the tremble in her fingers says otherwise.
I shrug my leather jacket off my arms. “Here.” I wrap the jacket around her, realizing a moment too late how close our bodies are. She looks up at me, her eyes filled with gratitude. Her nose and cheeks are turning red, and the smile on her lips is so, so tempting.
I linger too long, but then remember my place. Peter. Her brothers and her father.
Turning back to Lily, I pat her shoulders as un-romantically as I can—more like I would with Peter—and gesture at the road. “Come on. Let’s get you home.”
I start walking, and a moment later I hear her feet pattering behind, catching up until she’s next to me again. “How did you know about the theater?”
“I was there this afternoon with Gwen. The kids were rehearsing for the school play.” I glance over at her and grin. “I’m actually going to help choreograph their fight scene.”
Her genuine smile makes my chest tight. “That’s amazing! I’m so happy for you!”
“Thanks.”
We fall into silence as we walk more. “Do you want to come eat cookies?” Lily asks.
“If you’re not too tired,” I reply. “I’ll never turn down your baking.”
“I’m so wired from playing. But you can handle staying up longer?”
I wave her off. “Don’t worry about that. I’ve had plenty of late nights with your brother.”
Her eyes widen, and she swallows hard. “Yeah, I guess he parties pretty hard these days, huh?”
Crap.
Be nonchalant. “Uh, I guess.”
“And you…you like that, too?”
“Like what?”
“Partying? Drinking?” She pauses. “Girls?”
“Peter’s not with a bunch of girls,” I say quickly. “To be honest, he and the Lost Boys are like a weird fraternity that just wants to hang out with each other.” Most of the time, if you don’t count the mermaid actresses on the resort.
“But you?” she presses. “Is that your kind of thing?”
“I…uh…” Yikes. Not exactly the conversation I want to have with her. What am I supposed to do, lie? It’s not like she wants to hear the truth. Yep, I’ve basically been partying most of my free time for the last five years and have a reputation as a ladies’ man.
But something about you makes me want to change that.
Before I’m able to come up with some kind of answer, I spot a figure standing in front of Agatha’s house. “Is that…”
Sure enough, dressed in all black with a metallic silver cape, Agatha is waiting outside her home for us.