Page 77 of Finding a Melody
I nodded. I really did.
“Okay. Back on the porch?”
“No, do you have a quiet spot? I think I want to be alone for a little bit.”
“Fair enough. I know the perfect spot.” He grabbed the blanket and pulled it off me before helping me to my feet.
“Doesn’t that hurt?” I asked.
Seth shrugged. “The painkillers are working. Come on.”
We went and retrieved my guitar before he led me up the stairs and then to a door to a room I hadn’t explored yet. He opened it, giving me enough space to lean in and see the steps going up.
“The attic?”
“Yeah, I just finished cleaning it out.”
“Hm. I think I saw this movie before,” I said.
He chuckled. “That’d be too easy.” Seth took the lead, going up the stairs slowly, each step creaking underneath his weight. The stairs were narrow and Seth’s frame practically filled the whole space as he used the railings to help him.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked, hating to see him struggle like that.
“Yes,” he replied, voice strained.
“Liar.”
“Maybe, but right now, I’m fine. I’m happy.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “You’re happy that someone drove you off the road, totaled your truck, and now you’re stuck needing weeks to recover?”
“I’m happy because you’re here.”
I smiled, ducking my head down as embarrassment spread through me. I was glad he was in front of me and couldn’t see how his words affected me. “I’m happy too,” I said.
Seth reached behind him and held out his hand. I stared at it for a moment before caving and grabbing it. We stayed like that the rest of the way up. Seth needing time to get up the stairs, and me knowing from experience not to rush him. He opened another door and we walked into a huge open space with sturdy dark wooden floors, a massive window overlooking the backyard, and a high ceiling.
“Whoa.” I gaped as I looked around, not expecting this space.
“Yeah,” Seth said. “I feel the exact same way. The place was filled with boxes from the old owner. It took a while to empty it out, but after seeing this, it was definitely worth the work.”
I laughed as I saw signs of it already turning into a man’s den. There was a couch with a small TV. No doubt, in a couple of weeks, the TV was going to be bigger and all the game consoles were going to be up here. There was a dartboard pinned to the wall and a foosball table.
“Is the pool table next?” I asked.
“I already have it paid for, just need to pick it up and then help getting it here.”
I snorted and bitterly said, “But now your truck is wrecked.”
“Stop thinking about it, Cadence. I’ll rent a truck while mine gets fixed. My insurance will cover some of the damage too.”
“And hike up the price of your insurance.”
Seth squeezed my hand. “It’ll be fine. Now come on. This isn’t space for just us guys to enjoy. I added something else, just for you.”
He brought me over to the large window and I grinned as I spotted the cushioned bench set pushed up underneath the window, matching the length of it. There was an area rug, thick and soft when I stepped on it. There was also a musician chair, and I recognized the brand. He went all out buying me an expensive chair when any of them would have worked. He also had extra lighting and a stand to hold music sheets. There were even sheets already waiting for me, their blank pages waiting to be scribbled on.
“Why’d you do this?” I asked in a soft voice, not understanding.