Page 36 of Hard Rock Desires

“Save the metaphors for your cheesy lyrics,” I told her.

“They arenotcheesy.” Kaylee wrinkled her nose at me. “They’re heartfelt and inspiring.” She lifted her chin. “And who are you to talk, Mr. I’m-so-damaged, no-one-can-understand-me.”

“That’s the shit that sells,” I replied.

“So you’re Mr. Sell-out now?” She lifted an eyebrow. “I thought you were all about the music?”

I grumbled and heaved myself off the four-poster bed.

“Is there a reason why you’re in here bugging me and not off playing video games with Finn or torturing Micah?” I asked.

“Finn’s working out,” she said. “And Micah didn’t return my texts. It was easier to hang out when he lived here,” she said dolefully.

Yeah. It had been.

I pushed away the hint of annoyance threatening to bubble to the surface. Micah was free to live wherever he wanted.

“Seriously, Kay, why are you up here?” I asked.

Her expression turned serious for once.

“We’re worried about you,” she said. “You’ve never been this down before, especially over a girl.”

“I’m fine,” I dismissed. “It’s like Finn said. I had fun, but she’s more trouble than she’s worth.”

“If you’re so fine, why have you been stuck inside your bedroom for days?” she asked.

“I’m working.” I lifted the music sheets. “We’ve got to get started on the next album soon.”

Kaylee plucked the sheets from my hand.

“Hey!” I protested, grabbing at them.

She danced away quickly as she skimmed the music notes.

“Hmm, interesting.” She rubbed her chin, as if she were a detective in a crime movie. “I see. Yes, very interesting.”

“And what is it about my song that is so very interesting?” I asked, annoyed again.

“Music is the window to the soul,” she said.

“That’s eyes,” I told her.

She shrugged. “Either way, I know one thing.” She paused expectantly.

I stared at her, not willing to play her game.

“You need to go after the girl.” She held out the sheets so I could take them back.

“Is that what my song is telling you?” I snatched them from her grip before she could change her mind.

“No. How am I supposed to know what the song is about?” she replied with a shrug. “You didn’t even write the lyrics yet.”

I prayed for patience.

“You spent all night with her at the after-party,” Kaylee said.

“I was working my magic on her,” I said. “I thought maybe I’d bring her home.”