Just him and me in the room.

No one else is here.

No one at all.

No one.

No one.

No one.

The music starts playing, a cover song we jam out to a lot. And with a deep breath, I open my mouth and sing.

Like the first time I sang in front of Ayden and Sage, my voice is slightly wobbly. I stabilize my tone quickly, though, and before I know it, I’m rocking out, putting on a show. I hit pitches I’ve never reached before and carry notes longer and more in control. Smooth is the first word that comes to mind when I’m finished. I performed smoothly.

“Well, what do you think?” I ask my dad after we finish the song.

I’m panting and sweaty like I always am after I sing. My heart dances lively in my chest as I wait in anticipation for his response. Usually, I can pick up what he’s feeling, but right now, he appears neutral. I start to grow worried that maybe he didn’t like it, that perhaps he’s trying to figure out a way to let us down gently.

Stop being so self-doubtful!

I square my shoulders while I wait. When a grin spreads across his face, I release a trapped breath.

“You guys have a name yet?” he asks, leaning forward in the chair.

“Alyric Bliss,” Sage responds, dropping his drumsticks to the floor.

“Well, Alyric Bliss.” He stands to his feet. “You just got your first gig.”

I run over and hug him, even though it’s probably super unprofessional.

“Thank you, Daddy,” I say, hugging him tightly.

“Don’t thank me.” He hugs me back. “As much as I love you, I wouldn’t have let you be in the lineup unless I thought you were good enough.”

“Well, thanks for thinking we’re good enough.”

“More than good enough. You’re really talented.” He embraces me tighter and lowers his voice. “And I’m sorry for what happened the other day. You were right. Your mother and I should have told you.”

“You’re totally off the hook.” I pull back to look at him. “Just as long as you never do it again.”

He draws an X across his chest. “I promise.”

I smile and step back. “Do you want to stick around and play with us for a while?”

“I was supposed to go home and help your mother with something.” He rubs his jawline, tempted by my offer. “But I guess I could spare a few minutes.”

A few minutes stretch into a few hours. By the time he leaves the garage, it’s nearing eleven o’clock. He tells me to be home by one then adds that we might want to consider at least singing one of our own songs next week.

My stomach churns at the idea. Yeah, we’ve played a few of my songs, but the idea of spilling my soul out to a room adds to the stage fright.

Fortunately, I don’t stress about it for too long, because Sage suggests that we go to Maggie’s party. Suddenly, we’re piling into Aunt Lila’s car and heading toward the ritzy side of town near the docks.

“Who’s DD?” Sage asks as we pull up to Maggie’s dad’s three-story mansion.

The party has moved outdoors, people are crammed on the front lawn, around the garage, and gathered around the numerous cars parked around. Music blasts from inside and flows through the air. Twinkle lights cover all the trees and dimly light up the yard.

“I’ll be,” Ayden and I say simultaneously.

“You two are no fun,” Sage comments as he hops out of the car.

Nolan follows and the intoxicated people swallow up the two of them.

“So, tonight’s been interesting.” I remark when it’s just Ayden and me in the car.

“Definitely.” He stares at the party and the lights from the trees reflect in his eyes.

“I mean, my dad randomly shows up and gives us our first gig. Sage gets mad for some silly reason when he catches us making out…” I trail off as Ayden raises his brows.

“You really don’t know what that was about?” he questions skeptically.

“Should I?”

“Lyric,” he starts.

I heave a sigh. “Fine, I know what it’s about, but I don’t want it to be about that. I don’t want to have drama in the band.” I pick at my sapphire nail polish. “Besides, I don’t think of him as anything more than a friend, never have, especially when I like someone else.” I smile at him, but my mood plummets when he frowns. “What’s wrong?”

“Are you sure that you…?” He huffs out an aggravated breath. “Are you sure you want this—want me? We’d have to move really slow.” He looks away, embarrassed. “I’m not even ready for you to touch me yet, at least not intimately.”

“Of course I want you,” I climb over the console and straddle his lap, “slow or fast or simple or complicated. I’ll take whatever, just as long as you’ll give it to me.” I smile thoughtfully. “Hey, I’m totally putting that in a song when I get home.”

He chuckles. “It would sound pretty good, wouldn’t it?”

“It would,” I agree. “You know, one day, we should write a song together and then sing it as a duet.”

He chuckles again. “You are so ambitious sometimes.”

“That is the best compliment you’ve ever given me.” I lick my lips and move in to kiss him, hoping he doesn’t lean away.

“What are we going to tell our parents about us?” he asks as my mouth inches toward his.