Broken Little Melodies(70)

For a moment I think she’s going to cry, then her eyes slide away from mine and her expression draws slack. “Just to be clear, we did fuck repeatedly for years, and you thoroughly enjoyed yourself. When you realize you’re making a mistake with that skank from camp, you can find me in the audience tonight, waiting.” Her lips twist with a wicked grin before she spins around, sauntering back toward a shiny black Mercedes.

Goosebumps break out on the back of my neck, spiking their way down my spine. Who the hell was she smiling at? As I’m turning around, my stomach threatens to heave.

I feel Belle’s cold glare down to my bones.

My heart tries to beat its way out of my chest as I start for her. “Babe, let me explain!”

With a shake of her head, she retreats up the bus steps. I run after her, chasing her through the bus to the bedroom in back. Before she’s able to slam the door in my face, I jam my foot in the opening and push my way inside.

“You lied to me!” she cries as she’s collecting her things off the floor and stuffing them into her suitcase. “I can tolerate a lot of bullshit, but flat out lying isn’t one of them! I don’t know how you could possibly justify sticking your dick in that bitch—”

“Because she was there when you weren’t!” I yell, feeling the veins in my neck strain with anger. “After I left you in Vegas, my old man beat the living shit out of me in New York! I almost died, Belle! Brooke was the only one there to pick up what was left of me because you wouldn’t answer my fucking calls!”

She spins around to face me, her lips parted with a sharp gasp. Though it wasn’t my intention to tell her what happened, I admit I feel a little satisfaction with the flash of hurt in her expression. It was one of the darkest times of my life, and she wasn’t there when I needed her the most. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I’ll always resent her a little for shutting me out.

“I was in a coma for a full week while my brain injuries healed. The fucker hit me over the head with a bottle of whiskey. He told my mom and the cops that I was jumped while at a house party in the Bronx and they were dumb enough to believe him.”

Belle wraps her arms tightly around her waist as a tear slips down her cheek. “Why? What set him off?” The words come out in a reluctant whisper, like she doesn’t really want to know the answer.

“He found out from my grandma that I was accepted to Juilliard. I’ve never understood why he didn’t want me to have a career in music, but maybe there’s nothing to understand. He’s a drunk and he thought my mom and I didn’t appreciate everything he’s done for us. Ever since their divorce, he’s been bitter at the whole fucking world. Sometimes I think maybe he just doesn’t want anyone to be happy since he isn’t. He’s certifiable…obsessed. He told me that if I didn’t stop with the ‘music bullshit’, he’d make sure I served time in prison for stealing from him. And he was livid that I had been out to see you. When I told him that we were in love and I planned to spend the rest of my life with you, he threatened to hurt you—said you were a bad influence. That’s why I dropped out of Juilliard. I couldn’t stand the thought of him doing something to you.”

More tears spill down Belle’s face and she visibly starts trembling. “Oh…my god…Roman…I’m so sorry…”

“I’m not. I’d die for you, Belle.” I step forward to wipe her face with my thumb, and then I collect her in my arms.

“What happened after you healed?” she whispers against my chest.

“I never went back to the academy in Texas—my advisor would’ve known and my old man would’ve gone to jail. Once they let me out of the hospital, I became a fucking prisoner. He only let me out of my room for school and sports, cut me off from the web, and took my phone away. I was so miserable without you that I wanted to die. I even dreamed up different ways to kill myself, but I was too much of a coward to follow through with anything. Brooke may be a lot of things, and I fucking hate her for treating you like shit when we were kids, but she was the only person I was allowed to talk to up through graduation. I was lonely, and hurt, so I guess one thing led to another—”

“Okay I get it!” Belle blurts, wrapping her arm around my waist. Her entire body shakes as she sobs. “I’ll never forgive myself for not picking up the phone when you called! I should’ve been there!”

Squeezing her tightly, I let out a sigh and kiss the top of her head. I’ll never forgive myself for leaving her in Vegas. When will we ever find peace with our history of hurting each other?