Page 81 of Composed
I scrub bleary eyes when the live room door swings open.
Axel stands in the frame, arms laden with brown paper bags that carry the distinct scent of heaven.
My stomach growls.
Loudly.
Cheeks flushing, I drop the pen from my hand and push up onto my knees to stretch out the kinks in my back.
“I come bearing food and refreshments.” Axel bounds into the space, flicking the big light on before facing me. “Rainbow said you were here and would need reminding to eat.”
“Rainbow?” Cole croaks.
Axel shakes his head wincing. “No, you’re right. I don’t like it either.”
I comb my fingers through my hair and tug at the tangles, scanning the room for a clock.
“What time is it?” I squint.
Cole checks his watch, face blanching. “Fuck! It’s seven.”
“Christ.” That means we’ve been at this for close to fifteen hours. No wonder my bones are shaky as I try to stand.
The room tilts sideways.
Axel rushes over and wraps an arm around my back to hold me steady.
“Shit.” I hiss through clenched teeth. “I’m knackered.”
Axel tucks me into his chest. “What time did you get here?”
“Like one.”
“This afternoon?”
I shake my head, blinking as muscles settle. “This morning.”
“And you haven’t eaten in that time?”
Cole groans as he stretches his arms over his head. “We’ve been a little preoccupied.”
Axel stares over the room.
Sheet music, empty mugs, water bottles, guitars, all litter the floor, telling the tale of two people who got lost in work without taking a break for air.
“I can see that,” Axel mutters. He hands off the bags to me and kisses my cheek. “Riley says hello and asks that you reply to your texts.”
I frown, watching him with narrowed eyes. “And when did you talk to Riles?”
“Rix.” He tuts, a cheeky grin tilting his lips. “She and I are the best of friends now. We talk all the time.”
Right.
Axel drops down to the floor next to Cole and picks through the sheet music. “Youhavebeen busy. These are looking good. Anything solid yet?”
I busy myself with unloading the bags as Cole fills him in.
Sure, we’ve got a lot done, but there’s nothing we can actually do with any of it yet. A few base melodies here and there, some chord progressions to layer on top, but no lyrics to turn any of them into real songs.
