Page 40 of Love is a Lyric
“That’s natural, Ben. Youwerebetrayed. But you weren’t and will never be an idiot.” She pressed a hand to his chest. “And this? What does it feel?”
His mom was the only person he’d ever talked feelings so openly with. She had an openness that made him always come to her. Maybe that was why the first place he’d wanted to be when he was hurting was home, this house. “I don’t really know.” It was the truth. When he got distance from the situation, from his life as the front man forFate, it didn’t hurt quite as much.
A smile tilted her lips. “Well, I think that means she didn’t break your heart, Ben. Only your pride.”
Could that be true? “But… the music.” It had always tied them together.
She leaned back and wrapped an arm over his shoulders. “You look for signs. You always have. It’s one of the most special things about you, your faith in something beyond yourself. Just… don’t let it dictate your path. So much of your life is now out of your control—I get that’s what it means to be famous—but don’t let this world you live in have your heart as well.”
How was he supposed to take her advice when the world wantedFate? When eventually he’d have to face Quinn and Conner if they all wanted to save their careers? “I don’t know if I can keep writing to her lyrics, Mom. That’s what the label will ask of me, but I just…”
“Ben, if the lyric doesn’t fit anymore, find a new one.” She winked and stood, leaving him with that cryptic final message.
Find a new lyric?
His mom had finally lost it.
The front door slammed, and his dad’s voice drifted out the back door. “There’s my love.”
Ben craned his neck to see his parents through the screen door. His dad kissed his mom like they hadn’t seen each other in years. He’d grown up with their affection. They’d never shied away from telling each other or their kids how they felt. It was one of the things he both admired and envied about them.
His gaze found Piper once more, and he stood, stepping from the deck to cross the expansive overgrown yard to where she sat. She didn’t look up as he neared, her attention entirely on whatever was in that notebook.
“Making all your lists?” It was a joke, but he’d seen her spend most of her time making lists and crossing items off as she did tasks Quinn asked of her.
She jumped, clutching the notebook to her chest. “Oh, hey.” She didn’t lower the notebook. “You showered.”
“I do that sometimes.”
Her eyes met his with a soft smile. He’d never realized how expressive her eyes were, that she could convey meaning with a single look. But what was that meaning? “Did I interrupt you?”
She pulled her ponytail over one shoulder and bit her lip. “No. Did you need something? Do the clothes fit? I could run to the store again.”
“Does it ever stop for you?”
“What?”
“The job? You quit, remember?”
One corner of her lips hooked up. “You’re not a job, Ben.”
It was the first time she’d ever said that to him. Usually she repeated the fact that knowing him, worrying about him was her job. “Good to know.”
Her cheeks turned the most adorable shade of red.
Adorable?
He rubbed a hand over his face, knowing he couldn’t have thoughts like that. Not in the post-Quinn breakup haze. But it was only days ago he wondered if he’d smile again, and now as he looked down at the girl who’d always had his back, he just wanted to feel again.
Friendship, that was. He wanted to feel friendship. He groaned.
“Something wrong?” She stood and brushed off her pants.
“No. I was just bored and wanted to see if you were up to hang out.”
Her brow creased, but she didn’t answer him.
“What?”
