Star Crossed

Syd

I eavesdropped. It wasn't exactly my intention. I went to make Nadine a cup of tea and before I could knock, I heard them arguing. I debated on intervening but then the words started to spill out of Anna-Leigh's mouth I stood dumbstruck. 

I back pedaled out of there when I heard her steps growing closer to the door. Now I'm standing in front of Nadine with cold tea and no words. Obviously, I knew that whatever Gavin had done to Anna-Leigh was bad enough to make her run away with nothing but the clothing on her back, but this was something I never imagined. 

"Did you know?" Nadie asks me finally. Meeting her gaze, I shake my head. 

"When I met your daughter, she was quiet and singing in the streets with tattered clothing on her back for cash. I gave her a place to stay. Her talent was too great to go to waste." I admit sitting beside her. 

"I grew up with Shannon, Gavin's mother. We were best friends, completely inseparable. We met the guys in university. Also, best friends. We had a double wedding and fell pregnant at the same time. It was like fate. We closed on the houses together, gave birth together. Matt got ugly before Cash though. I was a hypocrite then. Telling her to take Gavin and leave. In the end I thought it was better that Anna-Leigh still had him. I never thought." She trails off furrowing her brows. 

"She died?" I ask. 

"Last year. Gavin found her. Came right over here and started screaming at me. Telling me it was all my fault, I deserved to be alone. I never blamed him. He was grieving. But I got my shit together after that day. He helped me. Then I met some sleaze ball, and you know the rest." Her laugh sounds pained though. 

I purse my lips and nod once. 

I never held pity for Anna-Leigh. She did the one thing her mother never seemed able to do. She made it out alive. I always admired her, and this makes me admire her even more. 

"This duet could blow up in my face." I admit for the first time. 

"You just have to hold your cards close. Don't let either of them see. Bluff if you have too." She shrugs. 

"Is that what you're doing?" I muse.

"It's too late for me to bluff. I made my bed all those years ago." 

Nodding I stand up swiftly. Setting the tea beside her I bid her good night and leave the room, shutting the door behind me and leaning against it. 

I have no idea what I've gotten myself into. I drag my ass to my room and sit on the bed. I have to be up early to work with Gavin. I hope he has some semblance of an idea. 

The chances of getting them together in a room just collapsed at my feet. Not that I had high expectations before tonight. 

I wonder how she manages to sleep in this house of horror. Either of them. I feel like I can hear the shattering glass and screams every time it falls silent. 

Grabbing my air pods, I turn my playlist on and close my eyes.  I have a feeling sleep won't come easily tonight. Visions of Gavin and Anna-Leigh flash behind my eyes. 

I think that maybe we're all running from something in life. None of us want to admit it. I know that I never will. Somethings are easier to ignore. If we pretend long enough, we may even forget altogether. 

Anna-Leigh left because it was the only chance she had at surviving. Her parents had long checked out and she was humiliated and violated in the most terrible ways. My chest aches for everything she went through. 

When I first met her her dreams were shattered. She knew there was no more Julliard. But I made her a promise that I intend to keep. From the moment I heard her sing I knew she was better than some stuffy school. She could be more. And I intend to keep that promise. 

Shutting my phone off I set my air pods on the desk and that's when a familiar noise drifting through the door. Piano. 

I used to tease her for using that as her instrument, but it works for her. Something about the piano brings the pain to life. At least now I know where it comes from. 

Standing up I creak the door open and listen to the melody she's playing. It's new. To me at least. I know she wrote stuff before I met her but it's off limits she says. 

I'm not sure how long I stand there watching her. It's a trance. The music flows through her and I'm sure Nadine can hear it. I wanted to ask about her first keyboard. She still has it back in the city. It's weathered but she cherishes that thing. 

I'm jealous that the first songs she wrote fell upon deaf ears. Parents that didn't care. She had told me that her bond with Gavin was music but now I know that was a lie. Nadine told me that much. A white lie to cover just how deep the scars run. 

When I open my eyes, she's watching me with a curious look. Instead of saying anything I back track into my room and close the door. 

Everything feels raw tonight. It's best to let the dust settle some. 

I hear the stairs creak and I know she's going to her room. She spends most of her time there. A coping mechanism, I'm sure. This house needs some serious work. I wonder what the plans are for it. I know Anna-Leigh won't want it. 

I make a note to mention it to Nadine. We can fix it up and sell it or we can tear it down. Either way it'll be done on company dime. It's the least we can do now.