The Rocker's Muse

I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and addressed Atticus. “What did you think?”

“I’m thinking if I ever decide to swing both ways, you’ll be a fine contender, sir.”

I laughed and sat back down.

Ronan’s stupid game continued for about twenty more minutes, with each of us having one turn in the hotseat. Emily was forced to admit which of our songs she disliked the most. I was relieved that Atticus had gone easy on her with that one. He’d done me a favor by not pulling anything stupid.

***

Later that evening, after we put the fire out, Ronan and Atticus decided to go to a local speakeasy just down the road. It was mostly old men there who didn’t give a shit who we were.

Grateful for an opportunity to speak with Emily in private, I hoped she didn’t want to flee the moment we were alone. After the guys left to walk to the bar, I smiled at her. “I thought they’d never leave.”

“You love them, though.”

“I am lucky to have them. They’re like brothers at this point, even if they drive me nuts. I appreciate them coming to support me down here. We wouldn’t have finished the album in time otherwise.”

When she shivered, I asked, “Are you cold?”

“A little.”

My body yearned to warm her up in several different ways. I tried to ignore that. I stood. “Want to head inside?”

She rubbed her hands along her arms. “Sure.”

It had been a while since Emily and I were alone in a private place. The mood shifted now that it was just us. We sat across from each other in the living room.

“That was some kiss between you and Atticus…”

I chuckled. “It was, wasn’t it?”

“I was totally prepared to kiss him, you know. You didn’t have to do that.”

I felt my insides ignite all over again. “You were, were you?”

“Yeah. I always kind of wondered what it would be like…”

My stomach dropped. Is she kidding? She kept a straight face, so I had to be sure. “Seriously?”

“No.” Emily burst into laughter. “I just like watching your ears turn red.”

“I was not about to let either one of those assholes kiss you.” If I can’t kiss you, they sure as fuck can’t.

“It was strangely hot, though, you and him. Kind of wish I’d recorded it. Could you imagine how many women would die to see that? Pretty sure you’d break the Internet.”

“Maybe I can use that if my voice gets worse and I need a distraction down the line.”

She kicked her feet up on the couch. “What has been going on with your voice? You haven’t really talked about it.”

“I know. I’ve been trying not to think about it while I’m here.”

“We don’t have to talk about it, then.”

“No. I should.” I exhaled. “I want to talk about it. With you, anyway. You’ve always had a way of making me want to talk.” I settled myself on the opposite side of the couch, keeping a distance. “Before I came out here, I stopped in to see the specialist in L.A. He told me one of the polyps had actually gotten a lot bigger. I’ve tried to ignore it, but I found myself struggling a little again in the studio.”

Her lips pressed together. “I’m sorry.”

“The doctor suggested I do the surgery sooner rather than later. But I’m still really confused about it.”