Page 45 of Love is a Drum Beat
“Yes, but I’ve been operating under the assumption for years that you didn’t like me, that I was too surly to be friends with.”
His eyes latched onto hers. “I kind of like that about you.” He sat next to her on the couch.
She bumped his shoulder. “I think this is the first truly honest conversation we’ve ever had.”
“It doesn’t help that I can’t seem to find my words around you.”
“But not now. You’re doing well.”
One corner of his mouth tipped up. “Music is the only thing I’ve ever been good at. So, here, in my studio, all doubts, all insecurities disappear.”
She leaned back into the couch. “I wish I had a place like that.”
“I’ve seen you on stage. You’re fearless.”
“No one is fearless, Dax.” She rested a hand on her belly.
“Are you scared?” He gestured to the alien baby incubator.
“Terrified.” She hadn’t admitted that simple fact to anyone. “There are so many bad parents in this world. What if I mess it all up?”
“Impossible.”
She blinked away tears and shifted her gaze from his, needing to change the subject. “That piano piece was beautiful. Is it for your collaboration withFate?”
“No.” His smile faltered. “I was just playing around.”
“And recording it?”
He shrugged. “It wasn’t my best work, but sometimes, I feel this need to break free of the structured songs and just play.” He studied her for a moment. “Do you want to hear what Ben and I have been working on?”
“Oh yeah.”
“It’s not finished. Conner sent over the drum track, and Quinn will be sending a second vocal.” Conner and Quinn were Ben’s bandmates, but they didn’t know who Dax was. Very few people did.
“So, they’re recording their parts separately? How does that work? Does your producer then layer the tracks?”
He nodded. “Right now, it’s just layered by me, but I’m not a professional, so I’ll send it to Marco at the studio once I’m satisfied.”
“Something tells me you’re never satisfied.” She laughed.
He shot her a guilty smile before standing and walking toward the controls. He hit a few buttons, and then Ben’s voice filtered over them.
Dax leaned against the table and looked to her. “Quinn’s voice will be added to Ben’s lines.”
“It’s an anthem.” The words were perfect.We own the world.
Dax shook his head. “I don’t do anthems.”
Jo smirked. It was totally an anthem, the kind that would be played on repeat, the kind fans would sing along to if Dax did concerts.
But something wasn’t right. “You say Conner came up with the drum parts?” The song drew to a close. Jo could pictureFateperforming this song, but she wondered if it would work without Dax.
Dax stared at her expectantly. “What’s wrong with it?” It was obvious he’d thought it was good.
“You’ve never played drums, have you?”
He rubbed a hand over his face. “They’re the one instrument I’ve never understood.”
