Page 19 of Hard Rock Muse

I let out a derisive laugh, the sound harsh as it bounced off the bedroom walls.

I’d loved Julian. I’d loved him with everything I had in me. And I’d known he loved me.

The only problem was, he’d never said it back. Not once.

At least, not out loud.

Talking about his emotions was hard for him. I understood that. I’d never pushed. I knew he’d say the words when he finally felt safe enough, secure enough.

He showed his love through his actions, not his words. The way he looked at me, the way he touched me, the way he devoted himself to me…

But I’d been wrong. I’d only been seeing what I wanted to see.

I heaved off the bed and got my guitar off its stand. I settled onto an armchair, curling my legs under me, and hugged the instrument to my chest. It used to hurt, the sight of my guitar. It reminded me of everything I’d lost. But eventually the lure of it was too much. I could never go through life without music. Channeling my pain into song was one of the only things that helped.

I strummed absentmindedly as I thought through my options.

I could turn down the job. Tell Julian I didn’t think it was a good idea after all.

Or I could push through and continue working with him on his song. Get it over with just to have something to put on my resume. Finally get a start on my new, reinvented career.

I sat, head bowed over my guitar for far too long, until my back ached and my legs cramped up. It was only my phone ringing that made me lift my head. No one ever called me. It was always just messaging. I put it to my ear.

“Hello?” I asked.

“Hello, Ever.”

My blood froze in my veins. My fingers went cold and numb, almost dropping the phone. My throat closed up.

“It’s been a while,” said a smooth voice through the tinny speaker.

Keith.

I’d gotten a new phone number. I’d blocked his. How was he calling me?

“What do you want?” I tried to sound forceful, but it came out in a small whisper.

“I heard Everly Davis is working with Cherry Lips now.”

“Word spreads fast.” I gripped the phone tight in my hand, knuckles turning white.

“I thought we’d come to an understanding, Ever.”

I swallowed hard. “You can’t keep me from working, Keith.”

“But I can keep everyone from wanting to work with you.”

My hands shook. “What do you want?”

“I want to see you again,” he said, still sounding as smooth as silk.

“That’s not going to happen.”

“I’m disappointed in you,” he said with a tsk. “I thought you were smarter than to test me.”

“I don’t need you anymore,” I snapped, “so fuck off.”

His dark chuckle was the last thing I heard before I jabbed my finger on the phone’s screen to end the phone call.