Page 29 of Doc Rock
Crap.She hadn’t meant to say that out loud.
But even after all these years, the things that were published about her in magazines still tugged at her mind. Articles that linked Ford to any woman he was seen with, speculating he must be cheating on her, then detailing all the reasons that she was wrong for him.
“I never believed that.”His statement was barely more than a whisper.
Tears collected again in Mai’s eyes, and she thought back to the young woman she was, who had been so in love and so sure of her relationship.
She nodded. “I know.”
Silence hung between them, and Maiknewshe should speak. Sheknewshe needed to apologise.
“I’m sorry.”Finally, she uttered the words that had been on the tip of her tongue since she laid eyes on Ford. All she wanted to do was apologise for the foolish kid she had been, and then?—
Actually, she wasn't sure what she wanted after that. She couldn't have him anymore, and shecouldneverjustbe friends with him.
“For leaving or for Donnie recognising you.”The bitterness crept back into Ford’s voice, slicing through her thoughts.
“Leaving,” Mai said simply.
Ford snorted an angry laugh.“Really? You stood in my arms and didn’t tell me. You lied to Donnie’s face. Sounds like you’re more sorry about being caught.”
Mai reached her hand out to him, then dropped it back to her side. She didn’t have the right to touch him.
“No.”
“Sie. You left. You hid. You lied. Why should I believe anything you’re telling me?”Ford paced in front of her.
Mai opened and closed her mouth a few times. Whatcouldshe say? He was right. In the end, she settled on the only truth she had.
“I can’t force you to believe me. But I’m telling you the truth when I say, I’ve never been more sorry for anything in my life.”
“Easy to say now. You had sixteen years to contact me. Apologise, make things right.”
“I know,” Mai murmured.
She’d fought that battle with herself so many times. A small part of her wanting to reach out to Donnie and tell them where she was.
Ford paced more and turned to her, wild-eyed.“Oh, and just so youknow— you’re a very wealthy woman.”
Mai’s eyes flew open, her brows pulling down in confusion.
“What?”She had no idea what he was talking about.
He scoffed.“Youknowhow the industry works. Don’t play stupid.”
Mai shook her head and was about to tell him she had no idea what he was talking about when her mind clicked into gear.
Her lyrics, her music.
“The music,” she breathed.
“Yeah,”he scoffed again.“I kept your notebooks. I hope you don’t mind, Iborrowedsome of your lyrics.”His voice dripped with sarcasm; he clearly didn’t care if she minded or not.
Their music notebooks, which they used to scribble ideas whenever inspiration struck, had become a running joke between them. She’d always picked black-covered notebooks, and Ford took to using sparkling pink-covered ones.
When she ran, she left hers behind. Over the years, she’d recognised so many of her words in Midnight Thunder songs.
“Even though you didn’t have the courtesy of saying goodbye, I still gave you writing credit on everything that used your work.”Ford didn’t stop pacing.
