Page 81 of Love is a Lyric
“Good. That’s good. I didn’t really believe it when Ben told me, but I want you to know, even if it was true, I wouldn’t have let Ben or Drew use that information in the interview. They might not get it, but I do. I think you’re going to do well working for him.”
Piper couldn’t remember the last time Quinn complimented her. She wanted to keep talking, to prevent Quinn from going back down to the boys. But as she stepped forward, the doorbell rang, and all sincerity faded from Quinn’s face as she snapped back into the role she had to play. Without another word, she left Piper staring after her.
Piper darted back into the room, finding a simple pair of jeans, bra, and tunic top. It wasn’t something Quinn would have chosen for her, but she wasn’t her boss any longer, only her sister.
By the time Piper got downstairs, voices filtered out from the living room. The first thing she saw was the woman who’d followed her after the kiss with Ben. Her eyes lit up in recognition.
“Hello, again.”
Piper didn’t respond as her gaze fell on Ben sitting on the couch with Quinn tucked into his side, his free hand intertwined with hers. He lifted his eyes, but there was no emotion in their depths, nothing to let on that only the night before he’d sat on the dark deck kissing Piper.
Drew gave her a sympathetic smile from his perch on the arm of the couch. An arm wrapped around Piper, and she looked up to find Julia on one side and Jonathan on the other, lending her strength.
The reporter stood at the front of the room. “I’m Maggie Ulman from the Rock Chronicle based here in Columbus. Ben and Quinn already know this, but we are a blog with tens of thousands of readers. Anything I write will be reposted across the internet.”
That was how the picture had spread so fast.
“I want you all to relax. Only Quinn and Ben really need to tell their story. There have been a lot of rumors and speculation aboutFateand what the future holds for the band. Feel free to clear up anything you wish. I will not write anything you tell me not to. I respect my subjects.”
“Like you respected me when you chased me in the rain?” Piper crossed her arms.
Julia’s grip on her tightened. “Piper, why don’t you come help me fix lunch in the kitchen.”
Piper cast one more glance at Ben who pressed a kiss to the side of Quinn’s head and retreated from the room for the sanctuary of the kitchen. Julia didn’t speak as she opened the fridge to remove a plate of deviled eggs. She held it out to Piper.
“Aren’t those for lunch?” Piper’s stomach rumbled as she smelled the bacon on top of the eggs.
Julia nodded. “But you need them. Deviled eggs make everything better.”
“Ain’t that the truth.” Drew appeared from behind her and took the plate from Julia. He jerked his head to the table, and Piper followed him. “I figured they didn’t need me nearly as much as the food did.”
Piper sat and rested her elbows on the table as she tried to rid herself of the image of Ben kissing Quinn.
“You know they’re only pretending, right?” Drew nudged her as he took his seat.
“I know.” Her head knew everything was fake, but her heart knew it didn’t matter if it was.
“Piper Hayes, you and I are leaving next month to travel the country. I know you’ve been on tour before, but you’ve never been on a Drew Stone tour.”
“Except when you joinedFate’s tour last year.”
“That doesn’t count. It was small beans compared to what you’re in store for. Full arenas for every concert. Not being able to go anywhere without people screaming for us. Unlike Benny boy, I can’t hide behind makeup and contacts when I’m on stage. Which means, I’m just about the most recognizable face on the street.” He grinned.
“Doesn’t that get old?”
“Nah. My fans are the best. But this won’t just be my fans. It’s a dual tour with Noah and Jo. You have never experienced wild until you’ve been on tour with Noah. My assistants aren’t just employees, they’re family. Matt has been my best friend for years, and I have a good feeling about you. I’m going to make a vow to you.”
“If you propose marriage, I’m clunking you over the head with this egg tray.”
His smile widened, and he put a hand over his heart. “I, Drew Stone, will do everything in my power to help you move on from Ben.”
“Move on? Not forget?”
“I know from experience there’s no forgetting. I have a past too, Piper. But it’s just the past.”
“Listen to him, honey.” Julia set a bowl of fruit salad on the table.
“A lyric without the notes,” she whispered. She understood it now. Love was what made the song have meaning, the words that invoked a feeling. But the notes, the rest of the music, that was everything else. A belief in the relationship. A choice to make it work. Friendship. Hard work. Dedication. Sacrifice.
Love alone wasn’t enough.
As laughter came from the living room, Piper closed her eyes. If neither of them was willing to craft the notes, all that was left to do was let go.
A smile tilted her lips as she nodded. “I’m ready for something new.”
“Heck yes, you are!” Drew thumped her back, jolting her forward. “Get ready for the best year of your life, Piper. You and I are hitting the road.”
