Page 106 of The Drummer

We separate slowly, exchanging a tender, intimate smile.

I climb off her and reach out a hand to tug her to her feet.

As soon as she’s standing, she’s in my arms again. She settles against me, and I guard her close, daring anything in this big ugly universe to try to hurt her.

And suddenly, I know what I have to do. I would do anything for this woman.Anything.

Including sell my soul to Orin Cantea.

“Would you be upset if I tell them to fix the PR mess by reporting that you’re my girlfriend instead of Luke’s?” I ask. “No one would care then and they’ll leave you both alone.”

It’s not even a lie. That’s exactly what I plan to do, it’s just not my label’s PR company that will get the story.

She tips her head back with a look of surprise. “I don’t know. It depends. Is it true?”

Is it true…

Twenty-five years of history beat down on me.

Mountains of trauma.

Volumes of reasons not to do this…

But it’s all silenced by the look in her eyes.

“Um… I don’t know. Do you want it to be?” I still can’t believe she would want that after everything.

“You’re kidding, right?” she scoffs.

I return a weak smile. “Well, I didn’t want to assume… I mean after being such an ass the last couple days…”

“You were,” she jokes before growing serious again. “You have my permission to call it whatever you want, butyou’remy choice, Casey, not Luke. Any rumors floating around about me should revolve around you.”

I pull in a sharp breath. It’s almost like she phrased it that way on purpose. Like she knew what it would mean to me to be chosen after a lifetime being the fourth chair. And there’s not a single thing I’d want more than this.

She reaches for my hand, and I love the possessive way she holds onto it. It’s hers. For as long as she’ll accept it.

“Should we get back to the movie?” she asks, already dragging me toward the hall.

I’m about to agree until my gaze snags on the guitar. Maybe Idohave something I can offer her after all.

“Not yet. I have something for you.”

I grin as I guide us back to the couch. Picking up the guitar, I prepare to show her what she means to me with the best evidence I have.

“They say I’m a rockstar, baby

But that’s just what they made me

Ignore my wall of Grammys, right now I’m only yours.

I’m a superstar or pathetic cover, it’s all in your power, lover

You’re everything I need to know, let me be yours

I’m no titan, babe, a liar, maybe

I’m no one else you need to know

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