Page 89 of Composed
Theo snorts and waves him off playfully. “Baby, you’re poor. Your card is of no use to us.”
Chaptertwenty-eight
Hendrix • Now
The Kids Aren’t Alright – The Offspring
“Shit.Hendrix.You’resosick.”
Talia's youngest brother, Marcus, claps a hand onto his thigh, his head bobbing to the synthesised beat ringing through the studio.
I grin, twisting the solo dial until only his crisp voice comes through, the quick lipped rapping flooding the speakers.
I click my fingers. “This is what’s sick! Have you heard yourself? Hip-hop isn’t my usual thing but I’m so buying your EP when it drops and playing it on a loop.”
“You think so?” He brushes a hand over his buzzed umber Afro, glancing at me through thick black lashes. “You really think I’ve got what it takes?”
I pat his shoulder. “I tell no lies, my dude. You’re going places.”
“Thanks, Hendrix. I know you didn’t really wanna work on this. But I really appreciate it."
“Don’t be daft.” I click my tongue and shake my head at the eighteen-year-old. “I’m lucky I get to do this with you. Imagine the bragging rights I’m gonna have when you’re a platinum selling artist.”
His dark brown cheeks round as he grins. “You sure you don’t want to run away with me and do this together forever? Talia never has to know.”
I snort.
Not the first time I’ve had that offer, but the easiest to turn down. “I’m too old for you, kid. You can do better than me.”
“Dang. At least I tried.”
“That you did,” I say as my arse starts vibrating.
I scoot forward on my chair, easing my fingers beneath me to tug it out.
An unknown number flickers across the screen.
I frown, turning to Marcus. “Hey, I’m just gonna step outside and take this. Don’t touch anything, got it?”
He holds his hands up before pushing off his seat. “I’ve gotta run anyway, Lucy’s mum is swinging by on her way home from work to pick me up. So I’ll love and leave you.”
“Alright.” My phone stops ringing. I chew my lip and look back up at Marcus. “And don’t forget, I’m not gonna be here for a while. I’m happy to chat over the phone if you have any questions, but I’m pretty confident we’ve finished up and you’re ready to go.”
“Yeah?” He beams.
“Yeah.” My phone starts ringing again. “Right, I’m out. Text me when you get home, okay?”
“Will do,” he says. “Thanks again, Hendrix.”
I wave my fingers and slip out of the control room while he gathers his stuff.
The door closes behind me with a soft snick, silence curling around me for a beat as I swipe to answer, and shuffle down the hall and into the kitchenette.
“Hello?”
“Hendrix?” A soft female voice crackles down the line. There’s something oddly familiar about it. “Hey, it’s Theo. Cole gave me your number. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Hi, Theo.” My chest tightens. “No, it’s fine. Is everythingokay?”
