The night ends on a perfect note. And I have a feeling there’s going to be a lifetime full of them.

THE NEXT FEW WEEKS GO by fast. Most of my days are spent packing my stuff, practicing with my band, and helping Sadie adjust to living with the Gregorys and getting to know her as much as she’ll let me. She seems to be doing okay in her new life, but she spends a lot of time in her room, listening to music. Lila has her in therapy three times a week, and I think Sadie might be taking something for anxiety, even though no one has flat out said it. I’d probably be less willing to go on the tour, but I remind myself that I’ll be returning home next week to visit and the week after that.

Lila and Ethan have set up flights and car rides home for me, so I’ll never be gone for more than a handful of days, and Lyric is even coming home with me some of those times. While Sadie insists it’s unnecessary to come home to see her, I’d never be able to live with myself if I bailed out of her life for three months. And I want to get to know her when she’s ready to let me in.

It’s strange to think I’ll be leaving soon. That I’ll be out on the road, completely free to live my life without the threat of the Soulless Mileas trying to take me. Many of the members are in jail now and are being charged with many crimes. But the most relieving part is that my father is being charged with my brother Felix’s murder and my mom’s, something Detective Rannali informed me of during a phone call a few days ago. He also told me that my sister and I might have to testify during the case. I wasn’t too happy about that, but I’ll face it when the time comes. Right now, I just want to take things one step at a time and focus on the good stuff in my life.

The day finally arrives to say bye to everyone and leave for the tour. Saying goodbye to the Gregorys is hard, but saying goodbye to Sadie is the most difficult.

“Call me if you need anything at all,” I say as I hug her goodbye in the driveway.

“I will.” She puts an unsteady arm around me, doing her best to hug me back. We’re both extremely nervous huggers so the moment is awkward, but I’m just glad we’re here to experience it.

“And I mean it. Morning, noon, and night,” I say. “I’ll have my phone on me at all times. I want to be there for you. No matter what you need, just call me.”

“Look at you, Shy Boy,” Lyric says as she swings her leg over the fence and leaps into my yard. She has on a backpack and is carrying her guitar case, ready to hit the road. “You’re starting to sound like me.”

“That’s actually a really good compliment.” I hug Sadie for a second longer then step back. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” I ask her.

Her eyes flick back at the Gregorys’ home then she nods, hugging her arms around herself. “This place seems okay.” Her gaze slides to Lyric and she timidly waves.

When the two of them met, they seemed to hit it off. I wish they had more time to get to know each other before we take off, wish Sadie and I had more time too. But I remind myself that I’ll be back here next week, and the week after.

“Hey, Sadie.” Lyric grins as she waves. “Did you get that old guitar I sent over?”

Sadie nods then flinches as a dog starts howling from one of the neighbors’ yards. “I did. Thanks for giving it to me. You didn’t have to.”

“I know, but I wanted to.” Lyric smiles reassuringly, making Sadie the slightest bit less uneasy.

I’m not surprised Sadie seems less nervous being around Lyric. Well, less nervous than she is around other people. It was Lyric’s positivity that made me feel content even in the most unsettling times, and gave me hope that one day I could be happy too. I’m crossing my fingers it’ll do the same for Sadie.

“Well, thank you . . . I-I’m really excited to learn how to play it,” Sadie says to Lyric then she nervously backs away as a SUV pulls up in the driveway. “I think I’m just going to wait on the steps.” She rushes back to the porch and sinks down on the stairs, eyeballing Sage and Nolan as they get out of the car.

Nolan walks around and opens the back of the SUV while Sage strolls up the driveway toward us.

“You guys ready to get this show on the road?” Sage asks, then his gaze darts to Sadie. “Who’s that?”

“That’s my sister,” I say, picking up my bag from off the ground.

“They adopted someone else?” Sage asks with a crook of his brow.

“Kind of,” I say, not ready to tell Sage the details of my life yet.

I sling my duffel bag over my shoulder and head down the driveway to load up my stuff. After we’ve gotten everything into the car, Lyric says goodbye to her parents while I give everyone in my family a hug.