Songbird Read Online Free PDF Page A

interested in my shoes.
    “Are you insane? That man has slept with half of Nashville.”
    “Says who?”
    “Says who ? Do you even read our newspaper?”
    “Umm . . .”
    “Good lord. Get on our website and search for his name. Immediately.”
    The muffin I inhaled at breakfast starts to churn in my stomach.
    “Devin McAllister is pictured with a different woman at every event he attends,” he says, reaching for my mouse and clicking through the photos. Sure enough, there’s Devin. And on his arm in every single picture is a new woman. Redheads. Blondes. Brunettes .
    Good to know he’s an equal opportunity womanizer.
    “That doesn’t mean he sleeps with all of them, Leo.”
    “But what if he does?”
    “I’m on the pill.”
    “A baby would be the least of your worries!”
    I sigh tiredly. “Look. I haven’t slept. I’m emotional. I’m ashamed. I know I was stupid. I’ll get tested as soon as I can get to a doctor.”
    Leo’s face softens. “Promise me.”
    He really is such a good friend.
    “I promise.”
     

     
    Five o’clock arrives, and I gratefully take my tired ass home. I pick up some take-out along the way, and after dinner is devoured, I snuggle into my favorite pajamas and curl up on the couch with a banana freezer pop. I became addicted to them during my summer vacations with my dad. After my folks got divorced, my summers were spent with Dad in Brandywine, our little hometown in the hills of East Tennessee. Mom never allowed sugary snacks in the house, but Dad insisted that kids should be kids, and his fridge was always stocked with my favorite banana freezer pops whenever I’d come to visit.
    I’m dreaming about freezer pops and summer when I’m jostled awake by my cell. Afraid it’s work, I jump off the couch and grab it out of my bag.
    “Callie Franklin.”
    “Oh, good, you’re alive,” Lorie says. “I was beginning to wonder if Owen’s brother kidnapped you. I haven’t seen or heard from you since the reception.”
    “No, I’m fine. Sorry to make you worry.”
    “It’s okay, although I’m not thrilled that you ditched me.”
    “Whatever,” I mumble sleepily. I can still recall the way she giggled with Owen. “I’m sure you were well taken care of in my absence.”
    “I was .” I can practically hear her smile. “We had a good time. We’re still having it actually. We kept the room for a few days. He’s in the shower.”
    “Oh, so you called to brag.”
    “Not at all. I called to check on you.” Her voice grows low. “I know it was Devin who put that ugly hickey on your neck, and I saw you leave with him. You know I’m not one to fish, but I’m fishing.”
    “And I’m not taking the bait. Besides, there’s nothing to tell.”
    “Nothing at all?”
    “Nothing beyond what happened this weekend.”
    “You just don’t usually do that sort of thing, so I just wanted to make sure you were okay. And I know you were careful.”
    She says it so matter-of-factly, because I’m always the responsible one.
    Almost always.
    “I promise I’m fine. Just sleepy. I’ll call you tomorrow. Tell Owen I said hi.”
    We hang up, and I head to my bedroom. I haven’t unpacked, so I take the time to toss my dirty clothes into the hamper and empty my suitcase. I place my medications—my morning vitamin and my birth control pills—in their usual spot on my nightstand. Next to them, for no reason whatsoever, I lay the white rose and Devin’s goodbye note.
    “I’m such an idiot.”
    I climb into my bed for the first time since Thursday. I’d been so exhausted last night I hadn’t even made it to my bedroom before falling asleep on the sofa. Sleeping in my own bed and getting back in my regular routine is exactly what I need in order to put this weekend behind me, once and for all.
    After setting the alarm on my phone, I reach for my bottle of water and my birth control pills.
    My hands freeze as I glance down at the pack.
    With trembling fingers, I gingerly touch