Page 140 of Composed
“Yeah, definitely.” He smiles. “You gonna keep writing after this?”
“Why does everyone keep asking me that?”
“Because you’re too good not to, Rix.”
I smirk down at him. “Why, thank you.”
“Seriously, you’re just gonna walk away from it all again? Put the guitar down and go back to mixing?”
“Truth?”
“Truth.”
“I have a career I’ve built from the ground up. Commitments I can’t just walk away from. And with writing … I’ve never done this for anybody but you guys. I wouldn’t even know the first thing about working with somebody else.”
Axel arches a brow as he glances up at me.
I nibble the end of my pencil. “It works between me and Cole, because we’remeandCole. He knows my process, I know his. We bounce off each other. I’d even go as far as to say, creatively we’re…”Soulmates.“Incredibly, well matched.”
“Is that why you stopped writing?” he asks, quietly. “You were afraid you wouldn’t bewell matchedwith somebody else?”
“There were many reasons I locked my guitar away, Ax.” I tap his nose with the eraser and force a smile. “Anyway, why are we talking about this? I haven’t even finished your album yet and you’re already trying to fob me off on someone else.”
“I would never.” He nestles deeper into my lap, his eyes shuttering closed. “Now, be quiet. I’m snoozing.”
“You’re the one who—”
He clamps a hand over my mouth. “Shh.”
I roll my eyes, and swat him away.
He pinches my thigh before rolling onto his side.
I prop my notebook on his head, nibbling the pencil as my mind spins with Saint's, Cole’s, and now Axel’s words.
I wish it was as simple as they seem to believe. That I can just pick up my guitar, write a song, and do it over and over again for the rest of my days.
But I have a business. A businesspartner. I’ve made promises to clients who are relying on me to hold up my end of the bargain. I created a world where I’d never have to write because I truly believed I never would again.
But then Cole Hayes showed up at my studio door.
“Is it any wonder people always asked if you were banging all of us?”
A smile tugs at my lips at the sound of Cole's voice.
I crane my neck to the door.
He leans in the frame, legs crossed at the ankles, arms folded over his tight black T-shirt, grey joggers slung low on his hips.
My knees quiver.
He hikes a brow at my lazy perusal, a boyish grin lighting up his face.
I force my gaze downwards.
Axel snores in my lap, dribble leaking from the corner of his mouth and onto my leggings.
I chuckle. “It's my fault none of you ever understood personal space.”
