Page 15 of Something to Believe In
"You're welcome. Just one more question. Did you see anyone following you home last night?"
His mind raced. Did he? He'd been so wrapped up in Maddyn, all he thought about all the way home was her. He barely remembered the drive home after he turned off to go to his place. His stomach twisted slightly. He'd not been paying attention. And what if someone had followed Mads? What if she had been in any kind of danger? Did anyone see them leaving the Barn together?
"Axel?"
He shook his head. "Oh, sorry. I don't recall seeing anyone following me."
"Okay, well, I'll simply ask you to be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to things."
"Okay."
He took a deep breath and saw his bandmates moving into the studio. His eyes landed on Mads, who looked absolutely fantastic in her jeans and tank top. Her hair was cute in its ponytail. Thoughts of her lips on his last night and how she felt as he slid into her barraged his brain, and his body reacted by stiffening up. He took a breath, grateful he stood behind the bar right now, and turned toward the cooler to pull a bottle of water from inside so Tony didn't see the evidence of his desire for Maddyn.
She disappeared into the studio, and Tony pulled his phone from his pocket and stepped down to the other end of the bar.
Taking a long pull from his water, he felt less exposed and moved toward the studio. When was the last time he'd gotten a boner thinking about a woman? It had been a while since his thoughts alone had gotten him stirred up.
He entered the studio, and everyone turned toward him. "Morning," he greeted.
Jami nodded. "Everything alright?"
"Yeah. It's all good."
Jami's brows rose, but Axel ignored the look and sat behind his drums. He didn't look at Mads, worried he'd have a reaction or somehow reveal their secret.
Jami cleared his throat. "Okay, let's start with this new song Sean and I wrote. We need the beat and a melody."
Everyone pulled up the sheet with the words to the song written on it. He nodded and began drumming a beat. Maddyn turned to him and smiled, then she sang the words to the chorus to the beat of his drums. Her voice - it was incredible. He stared at her as she sang. Livia joined in, then finally Jami and Sean added their flair, and within an hour, they had the song written. It was incredible.
Finally, Jami stopped them. "Mads and Liv, slow down that melody. Eyes up here, everyone."
Axel watched Mads from behind, which wasn't a hardship. He played without actually thinking about what he was doing. His mind was on what he wanted to be doing. With her. With Maddyn. Again and again.
Jami stopped them again. "Axel, slow down."
"Got it." He shook his head slightly, reminding himself to get his head, the one on his shoulders, in the game. Jami's brows pinched tightly together, and Axel knew he was getting irritated. Taking a deep breath, Axel focused on the beat and the new song.
Jami nodded. "Okay, from the top."
The song came together perfectly. The beat was right. The words were right. The song was amazing. Goosebumps formed on his arms, and the smiles on his bandmates’ faces said it all. Making music was what they had in common. It was what drove them. But what came next was driving him too.
Chapter Twelve
As they packed up to leave the barn for the day, Axel hurried toward her. He whispered quietly, "Come to my place."
She nodded, then got in her car. The others were busy getting in their cars or chatting. No one saw their exchange. But he wanted to see her again. Excitement zinged through her body. But also shame. She didn't like this sneaking around. She was beginning to feel like the dirty little secret. They were old enough; they didn't need to be doing this. Neither of them was married, nor did they have significant others. The only issue was their commitment to the band. Surely they could sit down and talk to their friends, and it would be fine. After all, Tony and Livia were doing great. At this point, they'd set the precedent.
Taking a deep breath, she started her car and drove slowly down the road that led up to the bluff where the barn was situated. It looked over the bluff to the water below. It was an amazing location. Maybe she should have her realtor look for a little house on a bluff like this one. It would feel secluded and not in a creepy, deep-in-the-woods-alone way. Up on the bluff, it would be hard for anyone to lurk about. There were other homes along the water here in Blossom Springs. When she looked out from the upper level of the Barn, she could see them dotted here and there. At night, when the house lights were on, it was easier to see them tucked in the trees on the various bluffs that surrounded the water flowing into Blossom Springs.
She turned onto Sunset Beach Road, then made the quick right onto Lake Street. Taking deep, even breaths, she told herself she knew Axel was a good man. She'd known him for years. They worked together. They'd traveled together in the worst conditions. In the beginning, she'd slept in the car with him and the others as they traveled to gigs far away. He wouldn't use her. He just wouldn't.
She followed Lake Street to his neighborhood and turned onto his road, then slowed as she glanced at the houses. She'd only been here a couple of times. After Axel bought the house, he had them all over for a party. Another time, she'd dropped something off for him on behalf of Jami. Today, she felt nervous for the first time going to his place. This felt like a clandestine meeting, shrouded in secrecy. It actually was just that.
She wrinkled her nose. She saw Axel's house and pulled over to the side of the street so he could pull into his driveway.
Axel pulled down the street behind her. His car stereo was turned up loudly, and the music was blaring. He had the top down on his Mustang, and she saw the smile on his lips as he passed her car and drove into his driveway. Pulling his car into the garage, he jumped out and waved her in.
"Park inside," he said.
