His fingers strangle the guitar. “Lyric, I think we should—”
Sage clears his throat from behind us. “Nolan just pulled up.” He points over his shoulder, appearing uncomfortable as fuck, like he just caught Ayden and I having sex. “You two better be ready to play.”
“Okay.” I direct my attention back to Ayden. “What were you going to say?”
“Nothing.” Ayden strains a smile. “I’m fine. I promise. Now quit worrying and go rock your ass off.” He plugs the cord into the amp and focuses on tuning his guitar.
I hate this. This last week has sucked big time, and now he suddenly seems even quieter. I want my Ayden back.
“Are you sure you’re sure?”
All he does is nod.
It hurts that he might be upset with me. Makes me want to curl up in a ball and cry.
But Nolan strolls in before I can utter a word.
“Who’s fucking ready to get this…?” He trails off mid-sentence as he kicks the door shut. “Why are you here?”
From what I understand, Nolan rocks the bass. He looks more like a lead singer in a boy band than anything. Spikey blond hair, blue eyes, these crazy full lips that don’t seem like they should belong to a guy, yet they do. He wears a lot of skinny jeans, too, and fitted shirts, more hipster than rock star.
“Wow, hello to you, too,” I joke as I rotate the volume knob on the amp.
He rolls his eyes as he shucks off his jacket then drapes it on a hook near the door. “As much as I adore you, Lyric, I don’t find your sarcasm funny.”
I pull a face. I’ve known Nolan since ninth grade, and while we’re not technically friends, I know him well enough that I can mess around with him. “Yes, you do. Don’t lie.”
He snorts a laugh as he weaves around the sofa to collect his guitar from the corner of the room. “Fine, you’re amusing.” He picks up the guitar and slides the handle over his head. “But seriously, why are you here?”
“Because she’s our new singer,” Sage intervenes as he materializes from the back room with another brownie in his hand.
“Really?” Nolan asks, glancing from Sage to Ayden, then his gaze lands on me. “You decided to follow in your father’s footsteps, then, huh? I’m crossing my fingers you can sing as good as him.”
“Of course I can,” I say confidently, but my stage fright momentarily creeps in and puts the tiniest hint of doubt in me.
“You knew who her father was, too?” Sage asks incredulously as he heads for the amp.
Nolan shrugs. “I thought everyone did.”
“I guess I’m the only idiot out of the loop, then,” Sage mutters as he nibbles on the brownie.
“Are you cool with me being part of the band?” I ask Nolan, because I know enough about bands to understand my initiation will only work if they’re all on the same page.
He briefly contemplates my question, but the hesitancy is more for show than anything. Because moments later, he grins and pats me on the arm. “Of course. Welcome to the band. Now, let’s get this show on the road and see what you got.” He plugs his amp in and twists up the volume.
I try to catch Ayden’s eye as I move the microphone up to my mouth to sing, but he keeps his chin down, his eyes focused on the guitar strings.
I spend the next hour singing my heart out with the guys, doing my best not to focus on Ayden and instead on the music. By the time we’re finished with practice, my lungs ache in the best way possible.
The drive home is soundlessly painful, though. Ayden will barely utter a word to me. I grow more anxious that the kiss might have changed our friendship in a negative way, but at the same time, I’m excited that I was able to sing and finally found a band to be part of.
By the time we pull up in the driveway, I’m ready to bounce into the house and announce the news to my dad.
“That was so much fun,” I tell Ayden as he shuts the headlights off. “Thank you for letting me tag along. You should come up to my room and watch a movie with me. We can celebrate.” I cross my fingers, praying he will.
He shakes his head, rotating around and reaching into the backseat for his guitar. “I can’t. I have homework.” He hurries out of the car and up the driveway toward the house.
“Was it because I sucked?” I call out in desperation as I stumble out of the car and out beneath the stars. “Was Sage just being nice and I’m really not that good?”
He pauses then gradually turns around. When the porch light hits his face, I can see the shock in his eyes.
“Lyric, you have a fucking beautiful voice. It’s crazy how amazing it is … unreal. But I …” He appears completely terrified as he turns away and rushes into the house, shutting the door behind him and leaving his words echoing in my head.
A beautiful voice.
That someone can finally hear.
Let my words spill out into the world.
Let my soul drench the air.
Let it change lives.
Let it bring my best friend back.
But he doesn’t come back, and I stand alone in the dark, desperate to chase after him, yet terrified what will happen if I do.
I turn for the door and trudge into my house, less eager to tell my dad the news now. I honestly think about going straight up to my room, but my parents are at the kitchen table eating cake when I walk in.
“Hey, sweetie,” my mom says, but instantly frowns when she sees the look on my face. It’s the same expression she wore when I had my meltdown the other day. They had both looked at me like I am going to liquefy into a crazy puddle on the hardwood floor. One day I will make her confess why she looks at me that way sometimes. “What happened?”
Sinking into the chair, I reach across the table to steal a glob of pink frosting from her slice of cake. “Nothing. Ayden and I are just having a little spat.” If I can even call it that. I honestly have no clue what the hell is going on in that boy’s head anymore.
“I’m sorry.” My mother discreetly glances at my father as he shovels a chunk of cake into his mouth. “But don’t worry, you two will get over it. Best friends always do.”
“Ayden and I aren’t you and Dad, Mom.” I lick the frosting from my finger. “We just …” I trail off. We just what? Spend every waking hour together? Kiss in the darkness of the room. Sing solo performances while grinding on each other. “So, I have some news.” I change the subject. “I’m officially a singer in a band.”