Adrianne Byrd - Deadly Double

Studying the man’s face, she was struck by the brother’s differences. Larry’s features were broader, his dimpled cheeks pinchable, but where William was tall and muscular, Larry was shorter and stockier.

Overall, she was convinced that her William was the better-looking of the two.

Smiling, she grabbed hold of the banister and descended the stairs one step at a time. Once she reached the bottom, she noted that cold was nearly unbearable, and she wondered if the heat was working.

There were two other bedrooms and a full bath on the bottom floor, not to mention a large kitchen that paid homage to wooden roosters and ceramic cows. It was cute in a strange way.

The refrigerator was packed with food. She grabbed a bottle of water and took an apple that was nestled in a fruit bowl.

The living room revealed more pictures and an interesting set of plaid furniture. Are these people related to Jed Clampett?

The room also displayed three floor-to-ceiling windows, which gave panoramic view of a forest of some kind. Where was she?

She moved closer to one of the windows and smiled at the deer congregating around the house.

She was at peace watching them and the occasional squirrel darting off a tree. As a result, she stood there a long time drinking water and eating her apple.

However, peace never lasts long, for fear has a way of embedding itself in one’s heart and thoughts. At that moment, Michelle terrified her. She didn’t know how Michelle got the better of her or even how she pulled off the impossible.

Josie glanced down at her scarred wrist and, in her mind’s eye an image of them covered in blood weakened her knees.

She quickly closed her eyes in remorse and turned away from the window. The chill in the house seemed to seep into her bones.

During her roaming, she had discovered a den equipped with blue-and-white plaid furniture, a fireplace, and an upright piano. Her heart immediately lightened at the sight of the polished instrument, and she crossed the room toward it as if hypnotized.

Before she sat down on the small bench, her eyes were drawn to the photograph placed on cute little dollies on top of the piano. These pictures weren’t of Sheila and Larry, but of a wedding William’s wedding.

Air rushed from her lungs as she lowered herself onto the bench. She took in every detail of the woman’s smile to the glittering diamond on her fingers and the bulge of her belly.

Unexpected tears seeped from her eyes as the pain from that distant heartbreak returned.

Tossing her apple away in a plastic wastebasket beneath an end table, she opened the piano’s wooden cover and lightly walked her fingers down the ivory keys. Pleasantly surprised to find it in tune, Josie straightened her posture and began to play.

Immediately, her mood lightened as her hands danced over the keys. Once upon a time, music was her passion. Her life.

Her hands slowed.

She couldn’t remember a time when music wasn’t a part of her. Her parents were supportive and did all they could by sending her to the best schools. It had always been a fair conclusion that she would be a famous musician.

One of her hands fumbled over a key as her eyes misted.

Before she had met William, she had everything figured out. She was happy and engaged to the perfect man or so she thought. Up until that point, she thought she knew what she wanted and knew how to get it.

But it was all a lie.

Josie stopped playing as her mind drifted back to her and William’s emotional good-bye…

“You love me!” William shouted, gripping her arms and pulling her close. Her bedroom walls vibrated with the force of his anger. “You know you do!”

Josie struggled against him. “I’m engaged, William. Last night was a mistake. It should’ve never happened.”

“How can you say that?”

He released her and she staggered backwards. When she glanced up into his eyes, her heart felt as if it was being ripped out of her chest. “I’m sorry, William. I never meant to hurt you, but…“

“Don’t say it.” He reached for her again. “You’re making a mistake. We belong together.” She shook her head. “No. There are too many differences. You know it, and I know it.” His face darkened. “What, because you’re black and I’m white? Is that what you’re telling me?” She swallowed her shock and outrage. “Of course that’s not what I meant.” His eyes narrowed as if he didn’t believe her.

“We’re from two different worlds. We want different things out of life,” she insisted. “Etienne and I are cut from the same cloth.”

William’s gaze drifted to the man in the photograph beside her bed, and a mask of utter-loathing covered his features. “You mean you’re from the social class.”

“Why are you refusing to hear what I’m saying?”

“Because it’s not the truth,” he snapped, and succeeded in drawing her back into his arms. “You can study music back in the States. There are just as many opportunities there, if not more.”

“Why do I have to give up my life?” “Fine. I’ll move here. I don’t care where I practice medicine. I just want us to be together.” “And what about Etienne?” “What about him?” Again, she extracted herself from William’s grasp. “I can’t just break my promise to him.” “But I’m the one that you want,” he insisted. She said nothing as her lower lip trembled, and her eyes brimmed with tears.

Doubt crept into his eyes. “You do love me,” he said, but it sounded more like a question. “Josie?”

She stepped back, while her gaze lowered to the hardwood floor. In an instant, William’s strong fingers directed her chin up. “I’ll leave if you can look me in the eye and tell me that you don’t love me.”

Her gaze met his sharp blue eyes, and a painful lump swelled in the center of her throat. As much as she wanted to give in to his man, she couldn’t completely ignore her promise to another.

“Josie,” he urged again.

“I’m sorry, William, but I don’t love you…”

“Why did you stop playing?” Josie jumped and looked up to see William smiling from the fen’s entryway. “I’m sorry. Did I wake you?” “Frightened me is more like it.” He crossed his arms. “But it’s good to see you up and about. How do you feel?”

“Good. I’m still a little shaky, but overall, I feel a lot better.” She met his steady gaze and gave him a wobbly smile. “I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.” “You don’t own me anything. I’m just glad I could help.” Josie’s gaze fell. He moved away from the archway and over to the piano. “Mind if I join you?” “Not at all.” She scooted over on the beach to make room.

William sat beside her. “You know it’s been a long time since we’ve sang together.” He played a few bars of “Willow Weep for Me” “Remember that one?” Josie smiled but felt the sting of tears behind her eyes. “How could I ever forget?” “I always thought that you were the next Billie Holiday.” She shifted uncomfortable in her seat. William abruptly changed the music and sang, “I’m a fool to want you.”

She closed her eyes and remembered their first night onstage. “To want a love that can’t be true.” Her voice trembled so badly that she lowered her head in shame. He stopped playing. “What’s wrong?” She shook her head and refused to look up at him. He draped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her trembling body against his. “You can tell me,” he encouraged.

His attentiveness deepened her embarrassment mainly because she knew that she was being silly for crying, but damn if she could stop herself.

“Josie?” he asked, giving her an affectionate squeeze. “I know that I’m not the best singer, but I’ve never caused anyone to start crying before.”