Page 84 of Lost Lyrebird

“No.”She leans back, eyes steady on mine.“I just want to know what you’ll do about it.I can’t tell you with absolute certainty that Goose is unattached, but I can tell you this… he doesn’t react to anyone like he does with you.He’s not attached to anyone or anything enough to be this pissed, this… affected.From the moment you showed up, he’s been off-kilter.And he could use someone in his life who cares enough to shake him up.Make him take notice.”

A sad smile tugs at my lips, unbidden.There’s a weight in my chest, something heavy and melancholy, but at the same time, I feel lighter.Because someone finally noticed my pain.Someone saw it, and they’re not judging me.

“You have my full permission, Lily,” Raven says, her smile turning wry.“Shake that man’s world.Wake him up.Make him earn you and prove he’s worthy.”

I let out a small, bitter laugh.“What about the club’s fraternizing policy?”

She leans back, crossing her arms as she does.“Stupidest goddamn rule.Smash it to bits, Lil’.Smash it to fucking bits.”

“And the mother?”

“You’re not going to know until you ask.”

I raise a brow at this.

She grins.“So ask him.”

I should have expected it.I didn’t, though, and that’s on me.So when I exit the club through the back entrance and hear “What the fuck was that?”shouted at me, I nearly jump out of my skin.

Goose pushes off from the outer wall and rounds on me with so much fury that I take a cautious step back.His lips are pressed in a tight line, and his salt-and-pepper hair now hangs loose around his face, making him look darker, more dangerous.In a heartbeat, he’s towering over me in a way that sends my pulse skittering.

I stumble over my response.“I’m sorry.”

He rakes his hair back and holds it.His chest rises and falls in heavy breaths, his eyes staying locked on me.“You’re sorry?”

I open my mouth, but he cuts me off.

Dropping his arm, he says, “Sorry, doesn’t fucking cut it.I’d fire someone on the spot for that shit and not give a damn.So give me a good fucking reason why I shouldn’t.Why the fuck would you do something like that?”

I swallow, trying to keep my voice steady, giving him as much honesty as possible.“I got some shitty news before I went on tonight.”

“That’s no—”

“I know!”I shout, cutting him off as my words tumble out in a rush.“I know it’s a stupid excuse.You don’t think I know that?I’ve been telling myself exactly that since I stepped off stage.I let my emotions take over.I tried not to.But…”

His glare sharpens.“That shit doesn’t fly with me.”

I shake my head, frustration creeping into my voice as I try to explain.“I’m not giving you an excuse.I’m telling you the truth.I’ve never told anyone this, so give me a minute.”

He crosses his arms tight around his chest, his stance unyielding, but his gaze softens just a fraction, giving me room to continue.

“Even in my head, this sounds dumb,” I mutter.

“Just say it.”

I drop my bag to the ground and lean against the building, taking a deep breath before I open my mouth again.“You’re probably gonna think I’m crazy, and honestly, telling you this is probably the last thing I should be doing, because it might just make it worse.”

He steps closer, his heat radiating toward me.His presence pulls my focus away from the nervousness bubbling up inside.His gaze—sharp and intense—makes it harder to get the words out, but I push through.

“Music, dancing… it’s not just performance for me.When I dance, it’s like I’m pulled somewhere deep inside my head, and what comes out is all heart, muscle memory, and raw emotion.I’m there, but it’s not me at the same time.Everything just… takes over.”

His blue eyes bore into me, but they’re no longer just angry.Something else lingers in them now—something I can’t name.

“On stage, it’s different.I’m usually in control while performing.But when I’m feeling too much, when the emotions get twisted up with the music… I lose control.It all comes out.I try, but sometimes I can’t stop it.”

His jaw tightens.He closes the distance between us, until we share a small, intimate space.My heart is racing, but I force myself to keep talking.

“An emotional cocktail like I had tonight?”I continue, my voice quieter now.“It’s like a bomb going off.My heart and body take over, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t reel it in.”