Chapter 25

I watch Cheney, wearily, as he wipes the coffee from his skin. He pulls his shirt over his head, using it to help dry himself off. He pauses and looks up, catching me watching him.

I blush a bit and duck my head, not knowing what to say. This isn’t something I was prepared for, I don’t know how to act around this version of Cheney. “You ok?” He asks softly, using a tone I’ve never heard from him before.

“Yeah, no harm done.” My voice is a whisper, so I clear my throat. “I’m just a bit confused. What exactly happened out there?” I look back up at him, hoping that this question doesn’t bring back the cold, cruel Cheney I’m used to.

He laughs softly, leaning up against the back wall and crossing his arms across his broad, tan chest. “Mags was trying to convince me to get back together with her. You came up at the right time, so I tried to show her I was over her.”

He trails off a bit, not meeting my eyes. “I guess she didn’t take it well.” He shrugs like he wasn’t surprised by her actions. I honestly wasn’t surprised either, most of the girls he spent time with her a bit crazy.

He sighs and reaches for the guitar leaning against the wall next to him. He strums a few notes, making sure the instrument is in tune, and then begins to play softly.

The music flows throughout the room, and instantly I recognize the song. I close my eyes as memories of my childhood flood into my mind. I can feel my mothers hands stroking my hair as she sings me to sleep.

Hush, my little one, the moon’s serene,

Through the night sky, its gentle glow’s seen.

Rest your weary head, close your eyes tight,

Dream of forests wild, beneath the moonlight.

I can hear her voice in my mind, and tears prick my eyes. I open them as I hear Cheney begin to sing softly. “Hush, my little wolf, the moon’s serene, through the night sky its gentle glow’s seen. Rest your weary paws, close your eyes tight…” the change in the song catches me off guard, but I know immediately that this is the original.

I close my eyes again, and begin to sing, my voice harmonizing with his perfectly. We sing like that the entire song, and by the end the tears are flowing down my face, but I’m smiling.

As we finish the beautiful melody together, I open my eyes and see a look of awe on Cheney’s face. “Your voice…” He sits down next to me, keeping his eyes on me, his expression soft.

“It’s incredible. I’ve never heard anything like it.” His tone was almost reverent, and his hands were shaking slightly.

“Thank you. Singing is one of the things I love most.” I smile up into his face, feeling the warmth of him so close to me. It sends shivers up my spine.

“Music is the only thing I love, really.” He’s smiling, but there’s pain in his voice. I think of the way his father treats them, and I feel for him.

“Is the guitar your favorite?” I ask him and turn to face the keys of the piano, playing a few notes. He turns with me, placing his hands on the keys next to mine.

“It’s what I know best, but I love them all. Even percussion. I can feel the beat of the music inside me, and I love it.” He mimics the notes I just played, in a different octave.

I smile and play a few more, which he mimics perfectly. I play the first new notes of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and he joins me instantly.

We sit together, not talking, just playing and enjoying each other’s company for awhile. It’s the happiest I think I’ve ever seen Cheney, and I find that I like this side of him. I hope that it’s not the only time I get to see it.

After awhile, I drop my hands into my lap and watch his fingers on the keys for a moment more. They are slender, but strong and nimble. They move with grace, they’re beautiful.

His hands drop and he looks up at me. “Thank you for this. I enjoyed it.” I could tell it took a lot for him to admit this to me, so I smile.

“Anytime. I enjoyed it too.” I let the smile reach my eyes, still a little worried at the back of my mind, but not letting my face show it. Maybe if I showed him genuine kindness, he would be able to do that for me too.

He grins, and goes to stand up. “I have to go. See you.” He grabs his bag, and heads towards the door. I watch him go. When he’s almost out the door, he turns back and looks at me, an expression of conflict across his face. He meets my eyes and nods, and then leaves.

I sit for another minute, gathering my thoughts. What just happened? Wynter and I both are quiet in contemplation. Regardless of if this was a one time thing, I’m happy it happened. Singing with Cheney had been lovely. I just hoped we could do it again someday.

Later on in the week, Brian and I are enjoying out daily chat in the woods when Nicholas and Cheney stumble through the clearing.

“What the hell are you two doing here?” Nicholas seems upset to find us here. “Sitting. Talking.” I say simply, not willing to give him any more information than necessary.

I hear Brian laugh at the sarcasm in my voice, and turn to grin at him. We had talked at length about my relationship with his brothers, and how awful they treated me.

“Yeah. I see that. Why are you here sitting and talking?” He asks again, venom in his voice. I roll my eyes and stand up. “I’ll talk to you later.” I say to Brian, and turn to face Nicholas.

“I don’t have time for this. I have things to do.” I turn to walk away and hear him make a frustrated noise, but he doesn’t say anything further to me.

I walk away into the woods, towards the house, not allowing Nicholas and his mixed emotions to bother me anymore.