Page 76 of Sing Your Secrets

“Left.” Petey shrugs. “There’s no bad blood. I’ve made them enough money. I want to start doing things my way again. I thought me and Mac could get back into the studio. But uh…I don’t know if he’s willing to work with me again.”

The elevator dings and I hesitate as the doors peel open. Petey looks just as torn as I feel.

Stay or go…

Should I…shouldn’t I…

I step inside the elevator, then turn to face him. “I’ll talk to Dad.”

“You don’t have to.”

I hold up the flowers. “Consider it a return peace offering. Just give me a couple days. How long are you in town?”

“A while.”

“Okay, I’ll let you know what he says.”

“You’ll text me?”

“Sure.” Instinctively, I kick out my foot to catch the elevator doors from closing and cutting off our conversation.

He half smiles. “You’ll have to unblock my number to do that.”

I let out a huff of a laugh. “Right.” I whip out my phone and head to my blocked contacts, feeling a little embarrassed about my petty behavior. But cutting Petey out of my life wasn’t to hurt him…it was to protect me from myself. “There. Done.” I wave my phone in the air.

Pointing into the elevator, Petey asks, “Do you want me to walk you up?”

I pause and ask myself the same question. Up or down…

“Nah, I’m okay. Let’s just leave it here.”

“All right. Thank you,” Petey says as he holds out his hand. We shake hands like this is a business deal but I can’t help but notice how his thumb briefly rubs over my knuckles tenderly. It’s a nudge from the past. From a time when I used to crave his attention and affection. For some reason, today, the craving is a little less potent.

“Thank you,” I say as the elevator beeps in protest, demanding I remove my foot and either go up or get out.

“For what?”

I suck in a deep breath and let my vulnerability unleash. “For apologizing and expecting nothing in return.”

Removing my foot, the door closes on Petey’s tender smile. Hmm, that’s strange. There must be ghosts among us. Because that smile looked a whole lot like the Petey I used to know. Before the lights. Before the fame. Before the industry twisted up his heart.

After another glaring ding, the elevator releases me. I’m walking to my apartment door when I feel another few buzzes come from my back pocket. I grumble in irritation, deadset on telling my friends that we could just have these conversations in person…at girls’ night…which I’m already late for.

Petey:Did this go through?

Me:Yes.

Petey: *winking face* Just checking.

Me: *eye roll emoji*