Page 54 of Finding a Melody

“But before Paul came into our lives and fixed us, there were others. And this was my safe place away from them.”

“It’s a good place,” I said. “I came across it a couple years ago and haven’t stopped coming since. I’d visited other community centers, but none of them cared or tried as hard as they do here. And all this, all that they give is through donations. They scour the town, schmooze up to people they don’t necessarily like, just to get a few heavy checks out of them.”

“How do you know about that?” Seth asked.

“I went to a couple of events where they were. I donate what I can every year. It was hard, with my mom the way she is, but I managed to give what I could to them. I know some of these kids, I know their stories. A lot of these kids come from nothing, so seeing them smile like they do, it’s addicting.”

“It really is.” Seth’s low voice was soft as he stared at the kids playing. He released a breath and opened his door. “Come on.” He climbed out.

When I met him at the front of his truck to walk in, he grabbed my hand and didn’t let go as we went inside. I didn’t want him to let go either.

Chapter Eighteen

~Seth’s POV~

Everything about Cadence was remarkable. She did so much more than anyone else her age without asking for anything in return. She tried to hold herself back, to put people off from wanting to talk to her, but it didn’t work. Once someone talked to her, they would want to be closer. I knew it applied to me. And to the others too.

She just had an air about her. My mom would say she was an old soul, an adult trapped in a young body. Her eyes lit up as we got closer to the community building. I didn’t want to tell her I dreaded going in there.

Yes, this had been my safe place, my salvation, but the volunteers, if they were still here, knew my past. I didn’t want to think about back then, the way those men treated my mom, and treated me when I stood up for her.

My mom lived in her own little world for the longest time after my birth father died, and she forgot about me at times. It had hurt, being forgotten. I would stare at her, hoping to see some glimmer of recognition, but she’d be too far into her own daydream to know what was going on. At least she was like that until Paul came into our lives. He changed everything. Not once did he try to take advantage of her or control her. Not once did he raise his voice or threaten violence. He was just quiet, calm Paul. Attentive. More than happy to spoil Mom, but not just her, me too. He stepped up when she couldn’t.

Then slowly, I got my mom back, all thanks to him.

At the double doors, I opened them for Cadence, letting her go ahead of me. My stomach was too busy twisting and turning as I followed her toward check-in. My skin prickled. I did love this place, but I also liked my past staying in the past. It was hard not to glance at every face and see who I recognized. How long had it been since I came here? I was around ten when I stopped. That had to be long enough, right?

A girl around our age sat at the front with a security guard there to watch her back. When she looked up through her black hair, her eyes skated over me and landed on Cadence. Once she realized who stood there, her blue eyes lit right up. She practically stumbled forward from the chair.

“Cadence!”

A nice little dusting of red covered Cadence’s cheeks.

Cute.

“Marian,” Cadence said as she approached the desk. Neither of them tried to hug each other like I was used to seeing with friends. Frankly, I wasn’t sure if I ever saw Cadence initiate a hug on her own with anyone. That made me sad for some reason.

“I’m going to let them know you’re here,” Marian said, before running off through the doors behind her.

The security guard chuckled and shook his head as he waited for the two of us to finish signing in, checking our IDs as per protocol. Some people weren’t allowed here. There were some parents who lost their rights to see their children, and they’d try coming here as an opportunity to get to them. The strict rules and security kept the kids safe.

Even the kids playing outside were inaccessible, the fence keeping them from the parking lot. The windows allowed security to easily see if anyone tried to approach the fencing. Cameras too.

Once we were cleared, a set of doors off to the right buzzed and we went inside.

“What do you like doing here?” I asked, unable to draw my eyes away from Cadence. She wore jeans that hugged her long legs deliciously, forming to her frame almost like a second skin. Her T-shirt fell down to just above her waist, but didn’t hide her curves from me. My mind tried to go into the gutter, but I forced it to pay attention to what she had to say.

Ever since we kissed, I’d only been wanting to kiss her again, deeper, longer. I wanted to steal her breath, see that cute flushed face, her eyes hazy as she looked at me. I clenched my teeth, shoving those dangerous thoughts away.

Friendship. She only wanted friendship right now.

“I usually go around and see how some of the kids are doing, let them know I’m here,” Cadence said. It took me a moment to remember I had asked her a question. “The ones interested will gather around the music room and then I teach them to play an instrument or to sing, whatever the majority is interested in. Usually singing.” She lifted the big duffel back she carried in. I still wasn’t sure what was in there.

Unable to stop myself, I grinned. “A teacher. Nice, I like it.”

“Are you stalking me for the day or doing your own thing?” she asked.

I looked around, noting how the place changed, and yet stayed the same. Netting had been put up to separate the gymnasium, each box giving people space to play their own games. There was even a second floor overlooking the open space with heads peeking over the railing to watch. “I think I’ll stalk you. I’m interested in seeing what you do here. And when you get overwhelmed, I’ll save you from the munchkins.”