Page 57 of Take What You Want

“How’re you feeling about tonight?” he asks.

I lean against the dresser, crossing my ankles. “I—” I catch myself, about to give the default answer and then remember this is Reid. “I’m nervous as fuck, man.”

He nods understandingly. “It’d be surprising if you weren’t. But you’re ready.”

“Am I?”

“You always are. The song is strong, and performing has never been an issue for you. It’s what helped get us to where we did.”

“But I was never up there alone.”

Grimacing, he says, “You won’t be tonight, either.”

I groan.

“Did I make a mistake?” I love the song. It’s meant to be sung as a duet, and any other feelings aside, Kerra is talented. Her voice suits the lyrics and makes the melodies come to life. But still, I have my reservations about tonight.

“Only time will tell.”

“Dude.”

Reid chuckles. “I’m not gonna bullshit you.”

“Not even once?” I pout.

“Nope.”

“It’d be nice.”

“When have I ever been nice?”

I flop on my bed and stare at the ceiling. “What about you? What have you been up to?”

Since the band’s breakup, Walker and Hayden have settled into their new lives seamlessly. But I worry about Reid.

He cracks his knuckles, which I notice are bruised.

“Been boxing again?”

“Yeah. Got a lot of free time.” He says it like it’s a joke, but I can hear the truth behind it.

“You could come with me to the studio sometime, you know? It’s not as much fun writing without you.”

“This is your new project. I don’t want to influence it.”

“But what if I want your influence?”

“You shouldn’t.”

I smack his tattooed arm.

“What about Jane? How’s that going to have her here?”

Once again, I stop myself from locking down any emotions at the mention of her that I usually have to do when my friends ask about her. Because as far as Walker and Hayden know, Jane has always been just another friend to me.

But with Reid, I don’t have to hide it.

“It’s fucking tough, man,” I admit, dragging my hands down my face. “She’s right down the hall. Like how the fuck am I supposed to just coexist with her?”

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