Page 140 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

“Told him I’m not applying to Drexel.”

“Shit. I bet that went down well.”

“We haven’t really spoken about it yet.”

Sure, he’d tried to reprimand me at the hotel yesterday morning. But that had quickly escalated, and I’d stormed away.

“Well, good for you, I say. It’s your future, Cole.”

“Yeah,” I said.

“And what’s the plan now? You and Sofia going to ride off to college together and live the American dream?”

We reached the studio and Jude shouldered the door.

God, I’d missed this place. The lingering smell of rosin and polish. The faint hum of the speakers.

“Well blow me, if it isn’t the football superstar. Thought you’d forgotten about us mere mortals,” Mikey said, saving me from having to answer Jude’s question.

“It’s good to see you.”

“You too.”

“Cole,” Travis added.

I gave him a small nod, not immune to the way the air in the room cooled. But I deserved his icy reception. I’d walked away from the band. Me. It didn’t matter that my father didn’t give me a choice. The guys saw it as me abandoning them—quitting on our dreams.

I knew I’d have to earn their trust back.

“Cole’s in for Livewire,” Jude said.

“No shit. Better get him the set list then.” Travis glanced at me again. “We’ve moved on a little since you—”

A knock on the studio door interrupted him.

“Hello?” Sofia stuck her head inside.

“Hey.” I strolled over to her and pulled her into my arms, dropping a kiss on her head. Someone behind me snickered and I flipped them off over my shoulder.

I didn’t give a shit if people thought I was a pussy. Sofia made me happy. She made all the other shit in my head quiet.

Running my hand along her collarbone, I gently closed my fingers around her throat, brushing my thumb along her jaw as I teased her with little kisses. “Missed you.”

“Cole.” She chuckled, the prettiest damn blush staining her cheeks. “It’s barely been three hours.”

“Three too many.” I kissed the end of her nose. “Want to meet the guys?” She nodded. I took her hand and tugged her over to them. “Jude, Mikey, and Trav, meet my girlfriend, Sofia. Sofia, the guys.”

“Hi.” She gave them a small wave.

“Hey. So you and Kandon, huh? Rather you than me.” Jude smirked.

“Fuck you, asshole. I’ll have you know, I’m a great catch.”

Everyone laughed.

“So, Sofia, you heard our boy play yet?”

She gazed up at me and smiled. “Yeah. He’s good.”

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