Page 93 of Heart Strings
“Actually, Martin and I have parted ways.” I look over at Lo and gather myself. This was going so well, too. “And this isn’t the best time for me anymore. I’m in the early process of leaving my label.”
Pride fills Lo’s eyes at my words. If I didn’t already know it’s the right decision, that alone could have convinced me. Even ifthey let me record this album my way, it wouldn’t be because they respect me as an artist. It would be because it’s a collaboration with a hitmaker.
“May I ask what happened?”
“They care about my image more than the quality of the music. That’s not the kind of artist I wish to be.”
Nigel is quiet for a moment. I know what it looks like: volatile and flaky. Then he says, “The timing might be better than you think.” The cryptic response makes Lo and I glance at each other. “In the next year, I’ll be starting my own label and I’ve been looking for artists to sign.”
Lo’s face lights up as he and I make tentative plans to discuss more after I’ve hired an entertainment lawyer and figured out the label situation.
“And, Aidan?” Nigel says as the conversation winds down. “I hope it’s good news for your girlfriend.”
“Thank you.” I repeat a softerthank you,and the line goes dead.
“Holy. Shit. Holy shit!” Lo shouts, then cringes when she remembers where we are. She throws her arms around my neck. “Nigel freaking Culpepper wants to sign you. That just happened.”
Relief settles over me. I let myself go slack and fall back onto the hospital room’s stiff side chair. Lo follows, coming to rest on my chest and curling herself into my lap.
“Nigel gets it, more than Martin does,” I say. “I didn’t expect that.”
“You fired him? And left your label? Today?” she asks.
“I haven’t spoken to the label yet, but they’re trying to turn me into a douchebag. You were right, I need to keep my owncreative control. As for Martin, he wouldn’t listen when I told him how important it was to be here today. He tried to convince me to stay for the meeting.”
“If I knew you were trying to cancel it to see me, I’d have done the same thing.”
My hand smooths over her hair as she presses her face against my chest. “We’ve been apart too long. You can try, but you won’t keep me away.”
Back in Lo’sapartment, we deposit our shoes tidily by the door and she tugs me by the hand toward the bedroom.
Early evening light streams through the window that faces the funeral home’s rose garden. I draw the curtain shut as she collapses onto the bed still in my ugly jumper. Lying on her side, she avoids putting pressure on the biopsied hip. I claim the other side of the bed, lying down and facing her.
“How are you feeling?” I ask.
“Glad you’re home.” Lo reaches out and caresses my bare jaw. “Why’d you shave your beard again?”
“Because you’re into my dimples. I don’t care what the label’s focus group liked.”
“I like you however you feel most comfortable.” She drops a finger into one of the dimples.
I turn to kiss the palm of her hand. “You like me?”
She smiles. “A little bit, yeah.”
We might receive news that changes our lives soon. We might learn it was a false alarm. Either way, I’m staying by Cielo’s side and she knows that now.
“Can I hold you?”
Lo turns and presses her back against my chest. I breathe in rosemary and drape an arm around her soft belly. It’s so comforting, I assume she’s drifting off to sleep until she nudges her backside against me with a little wiggle. Then she does it again. Subtle but unmistakable. I slide my hand from her stomach to graze her breasts and am rewarded with a short gasp.
“Are you sure?” She’s still in pain from the biopsy and there is a bandaged wound to avoid. I don’t want to rush it.
“I don’t know if I can trust my own body right now. It feels like it’s going to betray me,” Lo answers softly. “But I can trust you to make me feel good.”
She twists to face me, kissing me softly at first, then passionately. I bury my hands in her thick hair and suck her tongue until she’s grinding back against me.
“I’ll be gentle,” I promise in between kisses. She wants to get out of her head, and I’ll help her do that. “Tell me exactly what you need.”
