The Air Singer (The Cantors) by K. Huber Read Free Book Online

the clock above the stove. It was already nine thirty in the morning.
    “Crap!” She stood up and headed back to the guest room, “I’m going to be late!”
    Kate turned to see the time, “You are not seriously thinking of going to the shop today are you? Sean is still out there and could try to trap you at the store.”
    Yelling from the back room, Tally changed back into her clothes and pulled her hair back with a clip she kept in her purse. “There is no way he’d come near us now that we know his intentions. I could call the police and file a report to make sure that he has something on record if it makes you feel better.” She returned to the kitchen, “Can you take me back to my place? I need to shower and clean up before I go anywhere.”
    Kate considered the options. Tally was probably right. Sean couldn’t be so dumb as to try a second time. “Yeah give me a minute to get ready.”
    Tally called into to the shop and let the barista know that she would be late. Waiting for Kate to freshen up, she tried to relax on the sofa. She couldn’t help but try to remember more pieces of the night before, especially the ones that included Roland carrying her to Kate’s car. She had finally been held by him and she didn’t remember a thing. She knew that she should be more concerned about Sean’s location right now, but Roland occupied the bulk of her thoughts.
    He left before she woke up. Running out of the bar must have sent all the wrong signals. He probably thought she wasn’t interested or even worse, thought she was crazy. How could he not? She worked as a psychic in a coffee shop that sold oils and tarot cards and moonlighted as a regular at various open mics around the valley. Not exactly an ambitious life, but it was hers and until now, safe. He didn’t stay to make sure she was okay. He didn’t even give her the chance to thank him. Did he think his hero act entitled him to not having to face her in the morning? If it hadn’t been for him, she never would have needed saving! She would have enjoyed a perfectly fine girls’ night with wine and chocolate at Kate’s house and Sean would never have found her at the Taproom. She was only there because Roland asked her to be. Yes, this was entirely his fault.
    Kate came out of her room wearing a hoodie and jeans. “What are you so deep in thought about?”
    Tally stood up with her purse ready to go. “Noth ing, I just need a hot shower.”

    The quiet ride home gave Tally more time to think. Kate sang to the radio and let her friend sit silently next to her. When they finally arrived, Kate did a couple turns around the building to ensure there were no signs of Sean or black sedans. After both ladies checked the inside of Tally’s apartment, Kate went back to her house with a promise to call her in the afternoon.
    Tally spent more time in the shower than needed. She didn’t realize until she was home that her body wasn’t as unscathed as she thought. Her tight shoulders relished the hot water beating against her back. As her muscles relaxed, so did her resolve. She let the tears come. Streaming down her face, they fell into the puddles of suds forming at her feet. In less than twenty-four hours, she experienced elation that Roland was interested, terror that Sean was a stalker, and rejection that Roland lost interest after the drama of last night. She liked him more than she wanted to admit to herself. He seemed so confident, so fearless. He seemed too good to be true and it seemed he was.
    Tally turned the water off and grabbed a towel to dry herself. No longer dripping, she wrapped it around her body, tucking the edge in front of her chest. She ran a wide tooth comb through her hair. Looking at herself in the mirror, she took a deep breath.
    I will not be rattled. I will not be weak.
    Tally placed the comb down and turned on her hair dryer. The hum filled her ears and became almost meditative. In her mind, she went through each step of Sean’s