“What?” West dumped his keys on the credenza and followed. “Out of food already?” Roxy must have picked up an extended shift at the diner. Lucky trotted across the kitchen, straight past his full food and water dishes, and down the stairs. West followed. The dog darted through the laundry room and the open door to Roxy’s apartment. West hesitated at the threshold, a sinking feeling in his gut. “Rox?”
No answer, but the silence had nothing to do with an extended shift at the diner. Even with his limited view into her apartment, he knew she was gone. Not out. Gone. The clues were everywhere—on the spotless kitchen counter where not even a ponytail holder or a stray stick of cinnamon gum sat, or the coffee table now devoid of the nail polish army typically stationed there. A quick look in the bedroom confirmed more of the same. Lucky plunked his butt down beside the sofa and howled.
“Shush,” he said absently, and on feet as heavy as cement blocks, he trudged up the stairs. Without any real hope of finding anything to contradict his conclusion, he wandered through the living room, down the hall, toward the bedroom. His pulse spiked for a half second when he saw a dark shape stretched across the bed but crashed just as quickly as his eyes adjusted to the shadows and identified the contours of the guitar case.
He flicked on the light on his way into the room and crossed to the bed. Knowing what he’d find, he opened the case. A small envelope bearing his name in purple ink sat on the flared body of the guitar. He picked it up and saw the cell phone and charger he’d given her tucked into the case as well. So much for calling her. He eased a folded page out of the envelope, but then, suddenly weary to the bone, sank to the bed and propped his elbows on his knees. Lucky came in, hunkered down, and rested his head on the toe of his boot.
West, I’m sorry to leave like this. Sorrier than I can say, but I made the only choice I could. You’ll have to trust me on this. I’m not the girl you thought I was. Or maybe I am. That’s the real problem. Six months ago, I signed a bad deal with a liar passing himself off as a manager—another example of the famous Roxy recklessness you know too well—because I believed everything he said, and I didn’t read the fine print. When those mistakes came back to bite me, I did another reckless thing. I stole from a dangerous man, and then I ran. Not far enough, as it turns out, because the liar found me and told me if I didn’t give him everything he wanted, he’d bring the dangerous man into the mix. I can’t let that happen. I gave him what he wanted. But a liar will never be satisfied. He’ll be back. As long as I’m here, he’ll be back. Which means I can’t stay. I ran the first time because I couldn’t bear the thought of losing something dear to me, but these past weeks have taught me what’s truly precious. You are, West. You’re strong, and honorable to the core. Is it any wonder I love you so much it staggers me? But I haven’t been strong or honorable. Now, the only decent thing I can do is leave, so my mistakes don’t end up hurting you.
I’m leaving Gibson with you, because my conscience tells me keeping him isn’t right. The liar stole him from me to settle some trumped-up debt, but then I shoplifted Gib from Music City Pawn & Loan in Nashville, because that seemed like the only surefire way to get him back. But deep down, I knew it was wrong. I knew it then. I know it now. Just like I know you’ll figure out the way to rectify the situation. I also know I’ve let you down, and I wish with all my heart I’d handled things—practically everything—differently. Especially you. I hope by leaving Gibson in your hands, I’m showing you that a little of your ethics and honor have rubbed off. I may not be the girl you thought, but I’m not the girl I was.
She signed it “Love Always.”
He folded the note and let out a long breath. Lucky’s slightly wall-eyed gaze met his. “Well, I hope she meant that last part, because I don’t plan to be quite so easy to leave.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Thanks for the ride,” Roxy said, trying to keep her voice light, “and sorry this is so sudden.”
Addy waved the appreciation and the apology away with one hand and used the other to steer the Caravan along Route 9. “It’s no problem.” Her face glowed with enthusiasm despite the overcast sky. “I’m so freaking excited for you. Zipping off to California to meet with record company bigshots.”
“But the timing…I hate to leave you in the lurch.” Inwardly, she winced hearing Addy’s genuine excitement over the big fat fib Roxy had fed her to provide a reason for bolting with practically no notice. It had seemed like a more honorable choice than up and disappearing on a woman who had been a lifesaver to her in her hour of need, and a true friend to her at all times, including now, by offering her a ride to the airport and refusing to take no for an answer when Roxy had tried to decline.
“You haven’t left me in the lurch. Lark’s ready to come back, and Lark’s mama is ready to spoil that grandbaby, so we’re fine. But even if we did have to suck things up for a bit, we would. When the head honcho calls and says he wants to meet you, you gotta go. Promise you’ll call and keep me posted on everything.”
“I promise I’ll call,” she managed and stared at the
