Page 52 of Love is a Drum Beat
The media could change a star’s image.
And Dax Nelson could continue screwing up.
“What’s wrong with you today?” Ben slid his guitar from his lap. “I don’t think I’ve ever seentheDax Nelson make a mistake, and today you can’t seem to stop.”
Dax set the violin he’d been trying to tame beside him on the couch. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
There was so much Dax wanted to know about how to read a woman. He had so little experience. But he chickened out. “Do you think the violin fits the song?”
Ben sighed. “I don’t know, man. You’re the musical prodigy here.”
Dax hated when people called him that. Being a prodigy had taken away his childhood. He’d never give music up, but he also knew what he’d missed. “I don’t think it’s right.”
Jo had been right about the song. It was an anthem, and he had to live with that. And the violin was meant for other songs.
“Did Quinn finish her vocals after the last tweaks we made?”
Ben shrugged. “She texted me that they were done, but I haven’t been spending much time with her.”
“I don’t know how you do it.” Dax stood and carried the violin to where it normally hung on the wall. “Your girlfriend cheats on you with your other band member, and then you go and fall in love with said girlfriend’s little sister.”
“That’s life, man.”
“And you thinkFateis going to stay together?”
Ben shrugged. “Music heals everything. The band might not have the bond we once did, but when it comes to music, nothing has changed.”
“I don’t get you.” Dax had always thought romantic relationships interfered with music, at least the kind he wanted to make. And yet…
“So.” Ben interrupted his thoughts, looking at him out of the corner of his eye. “Conner is not happy.”
Dax sighed and took his seat again. “Because of the new drum track I sent him?”
“Yep.” Ben looked more amused than upset. “I believe his words were ‘I don’t even know the idiot. He can’t dictate how I play.’”
“Have you shown him the contract?” The one Dax used for all his collaborations, giving him the last word. It meant a few artists walked away from him, not wanting to work with him again. Then, the songs went on to hit the market just right, and they realized Dax knew what he was doing.
Ben chuckled. “I sent it to both Conner and Quinn. I doubt Conner actually reads it, but I know Quinn did since she called me up and yelled at me for getting us into a partnership with you.”
Dax shrugged. It didn’t matter to him what anyone else thought of him. “Do you think Conner will come around?”
“Probably. He won’t want to sour this collaboration. A song with you on our album will help sales.” Ben retrieved his guitar and plucked at the strings. “Play the new drum part for me.”
Dax did as he asked, and soon, Jo’s steady rhythm filled the studio. Ben listened, concentration scrunching his face.
As the beat faded, Ben nodded. “It’s perfect.” He shot him a skeptical look. “I thought the one instrument you never played was the drums.”
“Oh, that wasn’t me. Jo came up with it.”
A laugh burst out of Ben. “She’s about to have a baby, and she still can’t stay away from the drums.”
That was the one thing about Jo he understood. She had one love of her life—her drums. Playing gave her the same feelings it did Dax. While locked in their rhythms or chords, nothing else could touch them. The real world didn’t exist.
As he sat here in the studio, he didn’t have to obsess over a kiss that wouldn’t happen again. These walls insulated him, keeping him from getting hurt.
“I’ll tell Conner Jo wrote it.” Ben laughed. “I’m pretty sure he has a thing for her. Or had—before he knew she was pregnant.”
