Page 23 of From Drummer to Gamer

My order was already falling apart, like room-temperature butter slipping out of my fingers, and they hadn’t even stepped inside my apartment.

What did I get myself into?

“The door code is two-four-two-four-two-four,” I muttered, punching in the code as I dragged the suitcases inside.

“Still don’t remember it,” Raphael complained, following after me.

Sierra was still as red as the moon on a rare night, her eyes stuck to the floor. She looked like she’d been defeated by mere minions before she could even battle the final boss.

I turned the lights on and showed them around the extensive living room decked with a full-blown gaming system, walnut-colored polished marbles, plush couches with windows to the right, and a closed-off wall to the left.

“This is my music room,” I said, pointing at the first room through the hallway on the left. “It’s off-limits.”

“You’re no fun, big man,” Raphael whined, wheeling his suitcase along dark wooden flooring.

I gave him a sharp glare before leading them farther. I gestured to the other rooms on this side of the apartment.

“This is mine.” I pointed toward the master bedroom at the end of the hallway. “Also, off-limits,” I firmly said, my eyes going straight to Raphael, who stood there grinning proudly. Did he ever act normal? Where the fuck did he get all this energy from? But it was kind of a good thing. He would have a commanding stage presence.

I opened the door to the room right next to mine, with a soft beige and warm brown setting. “Raphael, you can take this one.”

He nodded, not saying anything for once.

I walked them across the living room to the other side of the apartment and showed them the kitchen and the attached dining room. Behind the kitchen was the last room in the apartment. It was on the smaller side but had the most beautiful view, with two walls of floor-to-ceiling windows showing off the city skyline.

“Wow,” Sierra breathed as she stepped in.

“I hope this is okay for you.”

“Yes.” She cast me a small smile. “Thank you.”

I nodded, striding out.

“I’ll leave you both for tonight. If you want food, there’s pasta in the fridge. Since we’ll be living together for a while, I’d like to discuss a few things.”

Sierra looked at me expectantly while Raphael huffed out a breath like he was already bored with the conversation.

“We’ll do it over breakfast tomorrow.” And with that, I turned to leave, but a soft voice called out to me.

I spun around to catch Sierra standing in her bedroom threshold, her fingers flicking on the edge of her hoodie.

Raphael had already walked out of the hallway, so it was just the two of us.

“Yes?”

“Ahmm.” Her hesitant hazel eyes landed on me. “I’m sorry about earlier.” She swallowed, pink dotting her cheeks. “I’m not usually like that. I don’t want you to think I’m an idiot like my brother.”

A moment passed.Was that all?

“I didn’t.”

“Oh, okay,” she mumbled.

I nodded, walking away.

Today already felt like the start of a ride I didn’t sign up for. Assuming the album would take at least three months to finish, I had to swallow this unaccustomed pill till then.

God, save me.