Page 24 of Composed
Still, she doesn’t cut the line.
I won’t be the one to do it.
I don’t think I could, even if I wanted to.
“You erm.” She clears her throat. “You have my number now. Don’t be a stranger. Or whatever.”
My chest tightens. “I won’t.”
“Okay. See you, Cole.”
“Bye, Rixie.”
The line clicks as she ends the call and exhaustion sweeps over me with the ache of everything unspoken. There’s so much history to clear through if we plan to not be strangers again, so many things that need to be said.
But some wounds run deep, and there are stitches I’m not ready to rip apart just yet.
Chapter eight
Hendrix • Now
Thunder – Boys Like Girls
Thepubisheavingtonight.
My shouted ‘excuse me’s’ are swallowed by the deafening noise as I squeeze through the crowd.
I spot Riley tucked in a booth in the farthest corner of the room. Ear defenders on, she spins a fidget between her fingers, bopping her head to the pop music blaring from the speakers.
“For you, my love.” Sliding into the booth, I hand her a margarita and prop my martini on the table. “Did you order food already?”
“Yes. Three halloumi fries, two loaded chips, and…” She clicks her fingers, chewing her lip.
“Wings?”
“Yes! Two lots of wings. They didn’t have garlic parm though, so you’re stuck with lemon pepper.”
“Honestly, I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse. Any wings are welcome.”
“Did you forget to eat lunch again?” Her nose twitches at my nod. “You need to set reminders on your phone like I do. They really help.”
“It’s fine. I just got distracted.”
“In the studio?”
“Yep.”In the studio, on the phone, to that one rock star who could make me forget my own name at the sound of his rich, baritone voice.“Talia has me mixing three different albums at the minute. I’m knackered.”
“Poor baby,” she says. “Did you seethat—”
“Hello, hello.” Talia shouts, careening to a stop at the edge of the booth.
Tossing her bag beneath the table, she slides in beside me, two gin glasses clinking in one hand.
She drains one in a single swallow and places the other down on the table. “I’m late, I know. Remind me to elope for my next marriage.”
“Whatever will Charlie say if she hears you talking about your next marriage before you’ve even gotten through this one?” I raise a brow.
“Pretty sure she’ll welcome it. We spent two hours arguing over tablecloths.” Talia slaps a hand on the table. “Ivory. Bloody. Tablecloths. Can you even believe it?”
