Page 44 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

She looked good. Wearing skintight jeans with a pale-green cashmere sweater that hung off one shoulder, revealing her smooth tan skin. She’d loosely braided her hair, soft curls falling around her face like a waterfall.

Sofia Bennet was hands down the most beautiful girl I’d ever laid eyes on.

“One soda for the lady.”

“Thanks. So what’s the deal with this place?”

“My mom’s cousin is the owner. I used to come by a lot when I was younger. He’d let me hang around and watch the performers. When I got a bit older, he started letting me get up and play.”

“Seriously?”

I nodded. “The first time I played, I almost puked all over myself, I was so fucking nervous. But the rush was like nothing else I’ve ever felt.”

“Not even your first game as quarterback?”

“Not even that. I love playing with the team, I do. But football isn’t my passion, Sofe.”

“Music is,” she finished for me.

“Yeah, it is.”

“So why did you quit the band if you love it so much?”

“Because football is my shot at getting out from my old man’s claws. He’ll only pay for my tuition if I follow in his footsteps.”

“He’s an attorney, right?”

“Yup.” I took a long pull on my beer. The first band were just setting up, the clink and clatter of their instruments a sound that both comforted me and filled me with a deep sense of regret.

Because I missed that. I missed playing with Jude and the guys, creating something great together. I missed the thrill of performing, the high of the crowd.

“I can’t imagine you as an attorney,” Sofia said.

“No? What can you imagine me doing?”

I was right, the booth offered us a fair amount of privacy. Enough that I felt comfortable shuffling closer to her. Her breath caught as she gazed up at me.

“Cole,” she warned.

“I just want to be close to you. Is that such a bad thing?”

“What are we doing?”

“Well, I thought we were on a non-date. But we can upgrade it, if you want.”

“I don’t.”

Disappointment sank into me. She was a tough nut to crack. But I was a patient guy.

“What?” I asked her. Because she was looking at me, studying me like a puzzle she’d yet to solve.

“You’re not making this easy.”

“Care to elaborate?” My brow lifted.

“Actually, I don’t.”

Damn, she was good.

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