Page 110 of Deeper

I thought of the remix to “The Sound” featuring Drake, where Zander was sing-rapping and Drake was singing. The remix had gone viral the moment it dropped. It wasthatamazing.

Zander was incredibly talented.

After gathering his phone in the booth, Zander began on what was the bridge and chorus of “Deeper.”

The lyrics were vulnerable. A call for more, to dig deep, and keep pushing forward in a new relationship. Something I saw myself doing wholeheartedly.

I gave a thumbs-up as a smile split my face.

Abstractwas going to be a smash hit. I believed it so.

22

PILLOWTALK

There were fifteen minutes left of my shift Monday, and I was barely holding on. I was beyond tired, and the 5-Hour energy I’d chugged only provided a little burst of energy.

Perhaps it was my rightful punishment for being up all night at the studio with Zander. He’d finalized “Deeper,” and cut and recorded another song called “Xs.” Every song I’d heard so far sounded flawless.

It was a party in the studio, an exclusive concert where only few were allowed in.

Did I regret being out all night, no, but I knew better.

“You about to go home and have you a good nap,” my coworker, Jaliyah, observed as she came up to the checkout counter from the backroom.

“More than likely,” I agreed.

“What was you doing all night?”

Only Holliston knew about Zander, as far as my coworkers went. None of them, our manager included, would probably know who Zander was. He wasn’t their vibe.

“My boyfriend is sort of—”

The jingling of bells had me stopping to face and greet our newest customer.

Coming in behind a large bouquet of red roses, was Zander.

One look at Zander had Jaliyah’s jaw dropping in shock. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to seeing women zone out over Zander’s handsome face.

“Who is that?” Jaliyah demanded to know.

The few shoppers in Angles were also caught up in Zander’s appearance.

I stood taller, trying to appear nonchalant. “My boyfriend.”

Jaliyah turned and faced me, her jaw showing no sign of closing. “That’syou?”

“Uh-huh,” I responded shyly.

She snuck me a high five just as Zander made his way to us.

“Hey.” He handed the bouquet over and tipped his head in greeting towards my coworker. “You’ve seen my world, and I figured it’d be nice to see yours.”

His accent had Jaliyah tripping even further.

Zander meant well, but retail was no match for the recording studio.

I gestured around us. “It’s not glamorous.”

---