“Yup.” He paid for his drink and went back to listening to the story.

“When you realize you’re the source of your pain

Will you make enough adjustments to make a change?”

Blue Eyes looked directly at him as she sang, stoking the embers he was trying to snuff out. Christ, those eyes and that voice were a lethal combination. But she was singing too fast, and the next few lyrics were lost to her speed. Tobias cringed, embarrassed for her, and turned away, wondering why she was rushing through such a powerful song. As he did, she slowed down again, and her gorgeous voice sailed into his ears.

“The lie is in the omission, my memory is in remission

Probably a mechanism to pretend whatever happened didn’t really happen

Well, whatever happened, happened anyway.”

She could have been singing about his life. He gritted his teeth as she strummed the last chord, and applause rang out. A cute brunette hollered, “Go, Mads!”

Blue Eyes inhaled deeply, her shoulders lowering just a fraction as she pushed to her feet, as if she were relieved to have gotten through the story. Tobias wondered if anyone else had picked up on that, but from the cheering crowd, he doubted it. If he hadn’t been through his own hell, he might have missed it, too.

“Thanks so much,” she said to the crowd. “That was called ‘You and Your Pain.’ Who’s going to see fireworks for the Fourth this weekend?” There was another round of cheers. “Be safe. I’ll be playing at the Rusty Anchor on Tuesday night. I hope you’ll come out and see me.”

Her gaze landed on Tobias again, only this time there was no taunting smile. She looked mildly annoyed. He had a feeling those luminous eyes could see right through to a person’s soul, and that was the last thing he needed. He turned away, focusing on his beer as she announced, “Now, let’s give it up for Carnal Beat.”

Applause rang out, and a minute later she strutted over to the bar, guitar in hand.

The bartender set a glass of water down in front of her. “That was great, sweetheart.”

“Thanks. But I don’t believe he thought so,” she said pointedly.

Tobias glanced at her out of the corners of his eyes.

“That’s right. I’m talking about you.” She planted her hand on her hip. “What was that look for?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Did you hear that, Aunt Ginger? The broody stranger speaks.” Blue Eyes smirked. “I told you he wasn’t a caveman.”

Cute and feisty. In another life, he’d be buying her a drink. He shook his head and guzzled his beer, catching her aunt’s amused expression. No wonder Blue Eyes was there nearly every time he came in. Did she have a thing for being around family, or was Harwich that small a town?