Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
Austin
Radiant. That’s the only way to describe Cassie in this moment.
Something changed the second she stepped onto that stage.
It doesn’t matter that she’s in her work uniform or that Bowman’s is a family business in a small town most people have never heard of.
Cassie has come to life under the simple stage lights in a way I never knew was possible.
The final chord of her cover of a song I recognise as one belonging to a male country duo sounds and, instead of seamlessly transitioning into another like she has been, Cassie’s hands still.
She looks nervous for the first time since stepping under the warm glow of the stage lights.
“If you don’t mind indulging me for a couple of minutes, I’d like to share a song I wrote with you. ”
The crowd claps and someone—Mei, I think—yells their encouragement.
Cassie smiles, dipping her head in thanks.
Her voice is something else, weaving a spell over everyone in the bar.
The melody is as beautiful as her singing, both distracting enough that if you weren’t really listening, you might mistake the ballad for a love song.
This isn’t a love song. It’s a song overflowing with pain, and my chest aches at the idea of Cassie ever feeling this way.
What do you want from me
All the blood I can bleed
Spent so long trying to be enough, but the shards of your love cut me up
What do you want from me
My freedom and dignity
These choices are no longer mine, lost all my power somewhere along the line
She keeps singing and I wonder who inspired such a devastating song.
An ex, maybe? Irrational anger bubbles up within me at the idea of anyone treating her this way.
Tearing my eyes away from her long enough for a quick glance around the room, I see everyone else is as entranced by Cassie as I am.
People have stopped eating. The indistinct murmur of conversations that continued through the beginning of her set has ceased.
The atmosphere is charged in a way I’ve only ever experienced at concerts.
Something tells me Cassie could enchant a stadium as easily as she’s enchanted all of us if she set her mind to it.
When Aria and I were little, Mum used to put on her favourite movie musicals and talk about the leads having star quality.
I never really understood what she meant.
Now I do. Cassie’s a star, even if the rest of the world hasn’t met her yet.
You tell people I’m crazy and too much
Then behind closed doors you say I’m never enough
I keep trying to fight, but it’s no use
Your games are rigged so I’ll always lose
You twist my words just to twist the knife
I’ve been walking wounded most of my life
They say time heals, but not with you
Time is how you’ve stolen all my youth
My hands clench into fists as her lyrics tear into my chest. Whoever made Cassie feel this way had better never set foot in Pine Grove.
Nobody should have the power to make another person feel so hopeless.
I know Cassie could be exaggerating for the sake of the song’s story, but the look in her eyes as she sings tells me she means every word.
At only twenty-four, she feels as though her youth has been stolen.
I’m not na?ve enough to think everyone gets to enjoy being young.
God knows I didn’t—I practically raised Aria after Dad left us.
At eleven years old, I was suddenly responsible for myself and my little sister.
It’s not that Mum didn’t love us, but she didn’t handle the end of her marriage well, throwing herself into work.
We were luckier than some—I know that. Aria and I still had everything we needed.
Everything except our mum’s time and attention.
I was the one who took care of our meals, made sure Aria did her homework, and gave her a shoulder to cry on when she was having a hard time with friends or, as we got older, boys.
I love my little sister and we’re good now, so are me and Mum, but there was a time I resented both of them.
Instead of figuring out who I was and my place in the world, my place was decided for me.
At sixteen, other kids were learning to drive, going on dates, thinking about university, and I was looking after my twelve-year-old sister and working at Bowman’s.
I don’t know what Cassie’s life before Pine Grove was like, but between what she said last night and what she’s saying in her song, I can tell it wasn’t good. Now I see what Mum’s been saying all along. Cassie needs someone on her side, and I’m going to be that person.
I’m so enraptured by the tragically beautiful song I don’t notice Mum joining me where I lean against the wall until she nudges her arm against mine. “I’m sorry if I ever made you feel a fraction as sad as that.”
I look down at her, but Mum’s eyes are on Cassie as she brings her song to an end. “I know. You did your best.”
Her lips twist in a wry smile. “I relied on you far too much. You had to grow up too fast.”
“I don’t mind. Not anymore. We’re good, Mum.
” It’s the truth. When Aria came to visit us last summer, we talked about more than just the issues the bar was having.
Throughout my sister’s visit, we talked about everything, and after Aria went back to Riverbend, the city she now calls home, Mum and I kept talking. We’ve more than cleared the air.
“I love you. I don’t say that enough.”
My throat tightens. “I love you too.” Clearing my throat, I shift on my feet. “You were right about Cassie. We’ll take care of her while she’s here.”
Mum’s smile is softer this time, almost indulgent. “You already are. I don’t know how this came about, but she’s come to life up there.”
She’s right. There’s a spark in Cassie’s eyes that I’ve not seen before. If her song is any indication, it’s something that’s been missing for a long time. I’m glad performing tonight brought it back even if it only lasts the length of her set.
“Thanks for listening,” Cassie says, the mic easily picking up the surprise colouring her voice as the crowd erupts into applause.
“Now let’s bring back the party mood with something a little more upbeat.
” Without waiting for the audience to catch up, she launches into a popular new release that gets people bopping their heads.
A few people even get up and dance in the small area left free in front of the stage.
Mum and I watch in silence, and I’m relieved she doesn’t feel the need to dredge up the past any more than we already have.
What’s done is done, and our family has worked through our issues.
We’re in a great place. No good will come from dwelling on what could have been.
If things had been different, I might not be where I am now, and I love my life in Pine Grove, especially now that I’ve taken over running Bowman’s.
“Alright, I’m going to take a quick break. Make sure you get yourselves a drink and some of Sam’s delicious food.” Laughter ripples through the crowd, and the folks who were dancing head over to the bar to order as Cassie walks offstage to more applause.
“I’ll be back in a minute,” I tell Mum, already moving to follow Cassie through the staff-only door.
The last thing I expect to see when I step into my office are Cassie’s blue eyes shining with tears.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Without thinking, I step towards her, gently laying my hands on her shoulders.
To my relief, she laughs, shaking her head at herself.
“These are happy tears.” She blinks rapidly, swiping at the couple of salty droplets that have escaped as if they’ve offended her.
“Sorry. I swear I’m not usually so…” She takes a deep breath instead of finishing her sentence, then her small hands lightly take hold of my wrists, bringing my attention to the fact that I’m still holding her.
I go to remove my large hands from her narrow shoulders, but Cassie’s grip tightens as she looks into my eyes. “Thank you. I didn’t know how much I needed that.”
I see my eyes widen in the reflection from her glasses. “You’re thanking me?” I shake my head. “Absolutely not, you just saved the night. You were incredible, Cassie. Thank you, and consider us square.”
“Square?”
“Yeah. Forget about paying for the rest of the repairs from the accident. You’ve more than made up for it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. You’re a star, Cassie. I—Bowman’s is lucky to have you.
” I don’t know what makes me say it. Maybe it’s the light in her eyes, eyes that are usually full of shadows.
Maybe it’s because I can finally admit there’s far more to the woman before me than I first thought.
Or maybe I’m caught up in the feelings her performance stirred in my chest.
A smile plays on her lips. “Bowman’s, huh?
” Her hands glide from my wrists up the length of my arms as she steps closer.
The toes of her trainers kiss my boots and my throat bobs.
Eyes locked on mine, Cassie uses her right hand to play with the open collar of the green flannel shirt I’m wearing over my Bowman’s t-shirt.
I know a challenge when I see one. Doesn’t mean I’m about to give in easily. I smirk. “Yep.” There it is. The fire she had when she rightfully told me off the other day blazes to life once more.
Her grip on my collar tightens, forcing me to lean down a little. “Admit it. You’re glad I’m here.”
“Of course I am. You saved the night.”
Her teasing expression turns serious. “It was already a success. You only needed me because you promised live music. You’ve done a great job, Austin.”
The praise shouldn’t mean so much coming from someone I’ve known for a mere fortnight, but it does.
“Thank you.”