Page 39 of Knot My Band: Part One
We lean into the work, into each other, the chemistry undeniable as we trade lines and laughter.
I tap out a beat on the notebook, my fingers channeling the rhythm of a heart racing with excitement—or maybe it’s just mine, reacting to her closeness. “What about this?” I hum a few bars, a melody that’s been teasing the edges of my mind all night.
“Ooh,” Oli chimes in, her voice weaving into the tune, lifting it, transforming my simple hum into a living, breathing song. It dances around us, a flirty promise hanging in the air. Her eyes catch the dim light, sparkling like emeralds.
“Keep going,” she urges, her body swaying slightly as if the music has taken hold, and she can’t help but move to its rhythm.
I let the notes spill from my lips, raw and unrefined, but Oli picks them up like scattered pieces of gold, polishing them with her voice until they shine. The harmony we create is intoxicating, swirling around us, a mix of potential hits and stolen glances.
“This song is meant to be a duet,” Oli declares, staring at me.
I blush. “Jack might be willing to sing it with you.”
Oli shakes her head. “No, Aiden, it should be you. Your voice has this perfect scratchy undertone that it needs.”
“May always said I was the worst singer, and opening my mouth was putting the band at risk,” I admit sheepishly.
Oli gasps in outrage before smacking my arm.
“Why are you hitting me?” I demand.
“Because you listened to that witch! Aiden, your voice is perfect. The world needs to hear more of it.”
I try to erase May’s words in my head and replace them with Oli’s, but they won’t disappear completely.
“I’ll remind you until you believe it,” Oli says, cupping my cheek.
“I don’t know how I got so lucky to find you, but I won’t take it for granted,” I whisper back.
Her hand brushes against mine, sending a jolt of warmth up my arm.
A creak from the bunk area interrupts us, and I swivel around to see Jack stretching as he opens the door, his hair even more disheveled than usual. “You two are up early,” he yawns, his blue eyes scanning the papers scattered around us. “Wait, did you stay up all night?”
Jack’s features harden.
“Creative genius doesn’t sleep,” Oli quips, collecting some of the sheets.
“Bed. Now,” Jack growls.
Oli straightens in her seat. “You’re bossy.”
“Someone needs to make sure the two of you take care of yourselves,” Jack counters.
Oli looks like she’s about to sass him back, but I know this is a lost battle. Jack is taking care of his omega, and she had better get on board with it.
“Fine, fine,” I say, standing up and stretching, feeling the hours of work in every muscle. “Come on, sunshine, let’s go.”
The nickname just slips out. She’s like living, breathing sunshine, and I can’t help but want to soak her in.
Oli stands, too, and for a moment, we’re just standing there, facing each other in the dim glow of the lights. She looks up at me, and something electric passes through the air. Then she leans forward, her lips brushing against mine, soft and slow like a secret being told for the first time.
My heart beats a wild rhythm, echoing the thrum of the road beneath us. When she pulls away, there’s a smile dancing in her eyes, both mischievous and tender.
“Sweet dreams, Aiden,” she whispers before turning toward her bunk.
“Only if they’re about you,” I murmur, half-joking, half-serious.
Her laughter is the last thing I hear before I climb into my bed, my mind repeatedly replaying that kiss.
