Page 12 of Verses

“Yeah, but…he doesn’t feel like he can play without Liam.”

“This isn’t news, Hayley. I was here last night. I heard everything.”

“But he’s lost his confidence—and I’m worried he’s gonna leave the band.”

Shrugging his shoulders slightly, he said, “Is that such a bad thing?”

I fought to make sure my voice didn’t sound frustrated—because I was definitely getting there. “Aside from the fact that Intent to Murder couldn’t exist without him, I’m worried that if he gives up, he’s going to spiral.”

“I think he’s already there.”

I started twirling the glass around, focusing on an ice cube in the water. “But he finished rehab—and I think he’s stayed clean.”

“Youthink?”

“Yeah. I mean…you can never be too sure.”

“I think you can. You’re talking about heroin. I think that’s a hard habit to hide, don’t you?”

Yes. And I’d had a few suspicions. But I wanted to trust Kyle.

More than that, though, Wolf had sidetracked me. “Yeah, I guess. And I want to help himstayclean. Music can do that.”

“You can’t force him to stay.”

“You’re right—but Icangive him reasons to want to. And that’s why I wanted to talk to you.” He cocked an eyebrow and I thought I could see a twinkle in his eye but I couldn’t be too sure. “You, like…know people, right?”

He started laughing—a laugh from deep in his belly. “You make it sound like I’m a mob boss.”

“I didn’t mean that. I mean...youknowtons of people around Charlotte and Silver City and stuff, right?”

“Yeah.”

“You know lots of local musicians?”

“Sure do.”

I took a quick sip of the water, confident we were finally on the same page. “So…would you be able to find out if there are any guitarists looking to play in a band?”

“I might.”

“So…would you mind?”

“Who’s asking?”

What the hell did that even mean? “I’masking. Didn’t you hear me?”

I couldn’t read the smirk on his lips. “I did. But why do you think I would ask guitarists around here?”

“Uhh…because you like helping people.”

He started laughing again, apparently amused. “First, I’d do anything foryou, Hayley-bird.That’swhy I asked who wanted to know. And second…did you knowIwas in a rock band when I was your age?”

Whoa. “Are you serious?” That made so much sense. It would explain why Wolf was so damn cool. Why so many peopledidknow him.

And I wished he would stop mentioning my age.

“Yeah. I loved that shit.”

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