genuinely happy for him, swept up in his excitement even as a small part of her died. There’d be no moving in together, no shared parenting, no family. Instead, she’d be forced to move back to Brockenridge to live with her disapproving parents who would alternate between berating her for being so stupid and lecturing her about falling prey to the devil. But it would be a small price to pay if one of them got to live their dream. She loved Kody that much.
As if sensing her presence now, Kody’s eyes locked on hers across the crowded room. He smiled, lighting up the part of her soul that would never forget him. He hauled the microphone stand close, caressing it, and she tingled with the memory of how he did the same to her body.
‘I’d like to dedicate this song to the most beautiful girl in the world,’ he said as raucous cheers and foot stomping filled the room. The lights went out, save for a lone spotlight on Kody, who was sitting on a bar stool, an acoustic guitar resting on his knee. And when he began to sing about love and adoration and soul-deep connection, Tash couldn’t stem the tears. She could’ve sworn the entire room disappeared and it was just the two of them as he crooned lyrics meant for her.
When he plucked the final chord, the room erupted into applause and Tash knew the time had come. Dragging in a shaky breath, she shouldered her way to the side of the stage. One of the roadies saw her and waved her over, allowing her to slip backstage, where Kody swept her into his arms and buried his face in her neck.
She loved the smell of him after a performance: sweat mingled with deodorant—uniquely Kody—and she wished she could imprint this on her memory for the long, lonely nights ahead.
When he released her, he tipped her chin up so he could stare into her eyes. ‘You’re usually as pumped as me after a gig. What’s up?’
‘Not here,’ she said, snagging his hand and tugging him towards a door that led out into a laneway. When the door slammed shut behind them, she led him to a quiet corner behind some stacked beer kegs.
‘You’re worrying me—’
‘I’m pregnant, Kody, but you don’t have to worry because I’m getting rid of it.’ She had to say the words in a rush, otherwise she’d never get them out. She needed him to believe she was the worst person in the world or she wouldn’t get through this without burying herself in his arms for comfort.
He paled, then blinked several times, before releasing her hand and staggering back like she’d slapped him. ‘Don’t I get a say in this?’ He shook his head, his lips flattening. ‘This is my kid too.’
‘Yeah, but it’s my body, and I don’t want a baby now. It would ruin everything.’
His upper lip curled in derision. ‘Right. Your precious nursing degree.’
He made it sound like she wanted to pole dance for a living. He’d never stared at her with loathing before and his narrow-eyed glare made her second-guess her decision for a moment.
But she had to do this. Had to make him hate her. There was no other choice.
‘Good luck in LA,’ she said, managing to stop her voice from quivering as she turned and walked away.
She willed him to come after her, to say that he wanted a baby with her, that he wanted a family, that he wanted her to come with him.
Instead, she heard a string of muttered curses before a door slammed.
Kody had believed her. She should be relieved. Yet all she felt was soul-deep sorrow.
CHAPTER
1
Brockenridge
Present day
Tash slid the last bolt home on the front door of The Watering Hole and joined her co-workers at a table near the kitchen. Usually she loved their evening planning meetings when they brainstormed ideas for the month ahead, but tonight her heart wasn’t in it. All she could think about was the argument she’d had with Isla this morning, arguments that were becoming more frequent with her twelve-year-old daughter. Most of them centred around the identity of Isla’s father.
It had been easier when Isla was younger. Back then, she’d been satisfied with a vague answer or an ‘I don’t know’ before being distracted with a banana muffin or a blueberry smoothie. But with Isla’s growing online expertise, Tash knew it would only be a matter of time before her daughter wanted to do a little