Page 198 of Composed
My chest thunders as last night runs around in my mind.
Did she slip out on me again?
No. I refuse to believe that.
It rings and rings and rings.
Then, the sound of a soft breath tickles my ear drums.
My muscles relax instantly.
Hendrix’s voice is light and teasing as it crackles through the speaker. “Don’t you have a band meeting today, Rock Star?”
I grin, the knot easing in my gut.
“Where you at, baby?” I ask as a car horn blares from her end of the line.
She hisses. “Fuckingcunt. Learn to drive.” She exhales slowly and I hear the tick of her indicator. “Sorry, I’m on the M1.”
I chuckle, sinking deeper into the couch. “And why are you on the motorway?”
Silence.
I’d think she put the phone down if it wasn’t for the hum of cars around her.
“Rixie?”
I hear her smack her lips together. “There’s just something I’ve got to do back in Chesterton.”
She didn’t say back home.
My chest flutters. “You’re meant to be meeting Riley for dinner.”
“Oh fuck.” She hisses. “I totally forgot. Is she with you now?”
“Yeah.”
“Can you put her on the line?”
“Yep. Hold.” I cup the mic. “Riles? She wants you.”
Riley frowns as I hold the phone out to her.
Her fingers wiggle as she stares down at the device for a long minute.
Then, she blows out a slow breath and nudges an ear defender off one ear. Her hands trembles as she snatches my phone.
A shiver passes over through when she holds it an inch from her ear. “You know I hate talking on the phone unless it’s video.”
Hendrix must say something, as Riley nods and shuffles to the far corner of the room, her voice dropping. “Are you sure you want to do that?”
I steer my gaze to the coffee table.
The others make no such attempt to pretend they aren’t eavesdropping. Axel perches on the arm of Carter’s armchair, while the three watch Riley closely.
“Okay,” Riley says. “Call me when you’re done?”
I drum my fingers on my thigh and roll my lips.
