Page 3 of Hard Rock Muse

“It’s nice to see you again, Ever,” Julian said.

“It’s Everly now.”

“Right.” He scanned me up and down. “I like your outfit.”

That was definitely amusement.

“Can’t wear black leather and mesh to a job interview,” I said.

“Suppose not,” he said quietly. “You have your natural hair. It’s different.”

“Hot pink is passé,” I replied.

“Not wearing those knee-high lace up boots either?”

“Sensible pumps.”

“Hm.”

Julian went quiet. He’d always been quiet. But not around me.

He pushed his chair back and stood up. I did the same, not wanting him looming over me. He came to my side of the table, mere feet away.

Standing this close, I could smell his scent, so familiar and yet long forgotten. Spicy but sweet, with masculine undertones, like whiskey and cinnamon. I breathed in deeply without thinking, wanting more. My head went light. He’d always had this effect on me. Before, I’d loved that heady feeling.

Now, the only thing I felt was heartache.

“I’m serious,” I said. “Why am I here?”

“I need lyrics,” he said. “And we’ve always worked well together.”

“That was before,” I retorted.

Things were different now. Before, Julian and I had great rapport. We’d worked on songs together all the time. When we were on stage, with me singing and him on keyboard, we’d made magic together.

Then Julian had stomped on my heart and left me bruised and bleeding.

He cocked his head at me, eyes guarded, lips pursed. He seemed to be thinking. Finally, he spoke.

“I’d rather it was you. It’s hard for me to…” he trailed off, ears turning red. “This song is supposed to be personal. It’s about my thoughts, my feelings.”

Julian had never been able to open up easily. He wouldn’t want to work with a stranger. Considering all the various ways he’d already opened up to me, there wasn’t anything I didn’t already know about him.

“It’s not just me,” he continued. “The others might ask for help.”

My heart sank. Julian wasn’t the only member of Cherry Lips I’d used to work with.

“Who, exactly?” I asked, needing him to say it out loud.

“Seth.”

Seth Powers. The name brought forth a rage I hadn’t known was still simmering inside me. I thought I’d put this all behind me. Clearly, some old wounds hadn’t been healed.

This whole situation was getting worse and worse.

Not only was I being asked to work with Julian, my ex, but I was also supposed to work with Seth, his best friend.

Seth, the reason behind our band breaking up. The reason why my entire life had been upended and nearly destroyed.

Seth, the man Julian was in love with.