Page 43 of Soul Food

I wrinkled my nose, amused. “Of course.”

“Are you ready?” Jayne blinked at me helplessly for an escape.

“I was actually going to get them to string me up some sounds and see if I got a feel for some lyrics.”

She grabbed her purse and her phone with a red-faced nod and smiled. “Then I’ll go and leave you guys to it.”

“Okay…” I made sure that she saw my I’m-going-to-give-you-hell-for-this-later look as she turned and fled out the door.

“I’ll see you tomorrow if I don’t anymore today.” Her words were barely audible as she rushed out.

The door clicked shut.

Pete whistled. “Oh dear, we’ve scared her away.”

Liam closed his eyes and sighed. “Probably for the best.”

Pete shrugged. “Probably.”

“You fellas do realize I’m right here?” I asked them. “And I adore you guys immensely already and more than anything, I want us to create music together, but my Jayne is off-limits.” Pete started simpering, so I crossed my arms and glared. “I’m serious. Her last man was a shithead, and I don’t want her getting hurt by one of you. I mean, you all are about to hit it big and soon, your heads are going to be too big to tend to the broken hearts you’ll leave behind city after city…”

“Ruth—”

I held up my hand, wanting to get my words out. “I know, one little eye-fuck means nothing.” I squinted at Liam for that one. “I’m just saying if you want to lavish my girl in compliments, go for it. I won’t stop it. But don’t play her, or I might have to bring out the Dark Goddess.”

Pete covered his mouth quickly and his gaze lightened. “You’re just as adorable as your girl was running away.” I glowered. He was quiet a second before he cackled. “Dark Goddess.” He shook his head.

If only they knew.

“All right,” Liam slapped his hands against his knees and stood. “Let’s see what we can do for you, Ruth. Not like we do anything else these days besides music.” I was glad that Liam got down to what I kept coming to them for.

______

Four hours later, I dragged myself through the house after John dropped me off. Using your brain was exhausting. Straight up listening to music and staring at a paper as you slash verse after verse out because nothing sounds right was mentally draining. I wanted something that wasn’t coming easy for me which was all sorts of wrong. Lyrics never failed me and even now, I had the inkling of something great at the very tip of my soul, but I couldn’t reach it. Not yet. A wave of panic slid over me at the prospect of not finding it before next month.

Stop.

Taking a deep breath, I let it go and ventured into my dark bathroom before switching on the light. Moose followed me, poking his head through the doorway finally deciding to grace me with his presence. He pressed his nose in my palm as I stepped over to the sink.

Thirty minutes later, I was showered and lying in bed close to dozing off when my cell phone rang, startling me. Moose was at the bottom of the bed, tilting his head at me as I reached over and picked up the device.

It was Amit.

Heat coursed through my veins just from the thought of him calling me—seeking me out. It slithered up my thighs, spread in my stomach, and finally reached into my heart like fluttering wings. If only I could put into words the magnitude Amit had affected me since meeting him, but there were none—not a simple thing that could explain my attraction to him. He was breathtaking, but I was surrounded by gorgeous men the last decade, and I had no problem staying away after the first demon incident.

But that was it, wasn’t it? I was running out of time and it had me slightly manic and obsessive about my impending fate.

I told myself I was okay with my destiny ten years ago if it meant getting this life and it was. But no one would truly ever be accepting of this kind of end, would they? Even if they said it a million times over.

Ignoring my rambling mind and chaotic body responses over a single phone call, I slid my finger across the screen. “Hello?”

“You’re asleep.” This wasn’t a question. He said it like he knew.

Straightening out my voice, I mumbled. “I dozed off.” I had briefly thought about Amit in the process of falling asleep but exhaustion had been stronger, so I dismissed the thought of calling him tonight.

“How’s the songwriting going?” His question surprised me.

I peeked over at the notepad and pen next to me. Squinting, my gaze bounced around the room searching for Amit like he’d actually be there watching me. “You keeping tabs on me?” I paused. “Why?”

---