Page 68 of Between Now & Heartbreak

I make a wish – the same one I always do. For my one remaining sibling, Phil, to find his way home.

Then, he pulls out a package from his pocket, it’s the shape of spaghetti box, wrapped in brown paper and tied with gold string.

“For you.” He hands it over and I my hands tremble as I take it from him. I lay it on the piano and open it carefully so I don’t tear the wrapping. I’m going to keep it forever. I want to never forget this day.

I open the cardboard box find beneath the wrapping and tears spring to my eyes. Inside, there’s a beautiful set of paint brushes, all gleaming handles and perfect brushes the color of sun bleached wheat.

Each of them is embossed with a four leaf clover and the letters QB. I think my heart is going to explode.

“Oh my God, Carter.”

“Do you love them?”

I look over at him, he looks so pleased with himself.

“I love them so much.” I say and finger the handles lovingly. “Thank you for this. This is amazing.” I wave at the cake and the balloons before I pick up one of the brushes and run my finger along its soft, blunt bristles.

“You’re welcome, but I’ve got one more thing to show you. I wrote you a song.” He sits down at the piano and lifts the part covering the keys.

“Wait? You wrote a song? When? Where? How come I don’t know this?” I demand as I stare at him in awe.

“Here. You’re at work all day. And I’m not done. I’ve just some of the lyrics and the melody. But it’s about you.”

“Me?” I peer at him, looking for a sign that I misunderstood him.

“You’re my muse,” he clarifies.

Oh, my…I’m a goner.

19

BETWEEN NOW AND HEARTBREAK

CARTER

She sits up,excited and smiling wide. “What’s it called?”

“Between Now and Heartbreak.”

She pouts, but her eyes are still dancing. I’m so glad inspiration struck. As soon as the idea for picking another birthday came to me, I knew it was going to be great. But her reaction, the simple joy is so much better than great. I hadn’t planned on sharing the song yet. It’s not done and I’m not sure it’s any good. But it’s time.

“I’m your muse for a song with the wordheartbreakin it?”

“Yes, Beth. Heartbreak is inevitable.. I mean, even if you get a lifetime with someone you love whoever dies first is gonna break the other’s heart.”

“Wow…that’sromantic.” She quirks her pretty, naked lips.

I am so fucking sick of not being able to kiss that mouth. My eyes linger there for a minute before I answer her.

“What’s romantic is knowing the odds are stacked against you and taking a chance on something impossible, anyway. Because it’s what you want more than anything else. You can tell it’s what’s meant for you.”

I lean in and her lips part and the wet center of them is calling my name. She has held me at arm’s length for the last few weeks and I’ve stayed there because I had shit to sort out and I wanted to try it her way. Her eyes widen and she straightens away from me, but I can smell the want on her. I straighten and turn my attention back to the piano.

I’m nervous. I’ve been composing and arranging music without words for years. Writing songs is different and harder, but this song came from a place inside of me she inspired.

So I sing from my heart, to the girl who owns more of it every day. And when I get to the chorus, she’s singing with me. Our eyes meet and we sing the final refrain together.

“Between now and heartbreak, there’s a million chances to fall

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