The Saddest Song - By Susie Kaye Lopez Page 0,68

I laughed with the relief of having survived my first show. I felt euphoric, and accepted hugs from Ethan, Rylee and Sophie. The next thing I knew Lalie had wrapped her arms around me, pressed herself tightly against me and told me how wonderful I was. I laughed and thanked her then gently tried to extract myself from her arms. She was hot, there was no denying it, but she wasn’t for me.

Rylee was only too happy to help rescue me and pulled on my arm saying, “Max, I need to talk to you.”

“But I want to watch Colin, can’t it wait?”

Lalie stood there waiting too, obviously thinking I’d be hers again in a moment. I tuned them both out and watched my friend sing. We all watched the rest of the show then headed across the street for a late dinner. I was ready to celebrate. I made sure I seated myself away from Lalie, ending up between Sophie and Colin. I saw Rylee trying to signal Sophie and glancing from her to me and finally I asked Sophie what was going on.

She looked at me and said, “Rainey was there.”

She had my full attention. “What?”

“She was backstage with us. She watched you sing.”

“But she left?” My heart was suddenly racing and I was trying to understand.

“Well, when Lalie practically mounted you she ran out.”

“Shit! How did she even know to be there?”

“We asked her. We wanted her to hear the song you wrote about her.”

I lowered my head into my hands. “Did she?”

“Of course. I watched her while you sang it. She loved it, I could tell.”

“I have to go!” I said, standing abruptly.

When Colin started to object, Rylee said, “Leave him alone, he has to go.”

I rushed to my truck wondering if she was still up. It was late, but I wasn’t willing to wait until morning. I was tired of waiting. By the time I got to her house the lights were off. I tried texting her but there was no reply. I got out of the truck and went around the side of the house letting myself in the gate. I looked up at her dark bedroom window and tried throwing the coins I had in my pocket. They didn’t rouse her and I decided I would have to ring her doorbell. I was passing the side of the garage and looked inside the window shocked to see her car wasn’t home.

Where could she be? It was past midnight.

I got back in my truck and drove over to Caitlynn’s house but her car wasn’t there. I headed for Colin and Rylee’s and then Ethan and Sophie’s but she was nowhere to be found. At a loss I even drove over to the shelter but the parking lot was dark and empty. Deciding that she must be home by now I returned to her driveway and was worried when I saw that she still hadn’t made it back. Where was she?

There was only one person that might be able to help me. It was now going on two in the morning but I decided I had to wake her.

“Hello? Max?” Kara answered, sounding pretty alert for the middle of the night.

“Kara, I’m sorry to wake you. I can’t find Rainey.”

“Just go home Max.”

“No, I can’t. I have to find her. Please Kara, I need your help!”

“I know. I AM helping you Max. Go home.”

“What?”

“She’s been there all night, waiting for you.”

Chapter 33

Rainey

I couldn’t go home. I had told my parents that I was spending the night with Rylee and Sophie so that I could be with Max. My heart was so heavy and I felt so tired. Tired of the mess that I made of my life. I needed to fix it, and I needed to start tonight. If Max had moved on, fine. I still needed to talk to him. I had so much apologizing to do. I needed closure if nothing else.

I decided to park near his house until he got back. I would talk to him before I had a chance to chicken out. I would make him listen. I pulled up, and turned off the car. I didn’t know how long he would be. I turned my phone off after ignoring dozens of calls from Rylee. I would deal with her and Sophie tomorrow. I would wait as long as I needed to. I had nothing but time.

I was awake until about one thirty and then my eyes grew heavy. I nodded