Page 105 of Forbidden Lyrics

Do non-girlfriends ask those kinds of questions?

Do they even notice those kinds of things?

Pulling out a bag of Fire Cheetos, Phoenix pops one into his mouth and gives Fen a nod. “Agreed. Which ones do we wanna play? And how many songs does Dove want to sing?”

All eyes turn to me.

“Oh. Um…” I tuck my hair behind my ear and scoot a little closer to Gibbs. “Whatever you guys think, I guess? I’m just here when you need me.” I’m still not used to being around so many guys at one time. And when they all look at me, hanging on my every word, it makes me sweat.

“What do you think, Sonny?” Phoenix asks him, munching on another Cheeto.

Gibson clears his throat and squeezes the back of his neck. “Dove and I have been working on a couple of new pieces that are written for a duet. I know we’ve been messing with some of our older songs this week during practice, but I feel like most of those were meant to be sung with one singer, not two. The new ones fit a duet better, but we haven’t had a chance to practice them as much, so it’s up to you guys. Whatever you think.”

“All right. Let’s hear ‘em.” Fender grabs the neck of his guitar resting beside the couch and hands it to Gibson.

As he takes the offered instrument, sets it in his lap, and starts strumming, he glances at me and suggests, “Let’s start with your verse.”

Clearing my throat, I close my eyes to block out their stares and try to get lost in the music. The beat. The rhythm. The melody that calls to my soul like a siren.

“Warm, dark eyes.

Hidden moments beneath the sky.

Feels like a dream.

Like maybe you’re all I need.

But I don’t do this.

Not usually.

I don’t need this.

Not usually.

But you make me

Make me

Want you.

Just you.”

Gibson’s dark, gritty voice takes over after the chorus. I slap my hand against my thigh in rhythm to his strumming as I soak up his words as if they were meant for me, even though I’m terrified to acknowledge that they are.

“Cool, dark nights.

Me lost between your thighs.

Feels like a dream.

Like maybe you’re all I need.

But I don’t do this.

Not usually.

I don’t want this.

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