Page 146 of The Drummer

Time stops. Air, space… all of it frozen as I lean into him, holding on with everything I have.

Tears drip down my cheeks, and I let them fall. They stain his shirt, like his bleed into mine.

It’s brutal and beautiful. Two shattered souls silently repairing themselves.

Two tortured pasts coming together to form a healing bond that only shared pain can forge.

His grip tightens, and I drag in a ragged breath. For several long seconds we stay like that. When he finally releases me, we wipe our eyes in a silent agreement to protect this moment.

I’m shocked again when he turns to Callie instead of retreating to his room.

“Can we use these, Callie?” he asks.

She seems just as surprised. “What do you mean?”

“I…” He shoots me a brief look filled with complex thoughts. “For the EP. We still need two to three more songs.”

I flinch. “Wait. Seriously? You’re in?”

I can barely get the words out. My heart is pounding.

Luke’s pleading gaze locks on mine. “If you’ll have me back.”

Callie yelps and circles the island to launch at him. He chuckles as he catches her.

On instinct, I complete the shocking encounter with a three-person hug that should feel weird, but doesn’t. We’ve waited too long, suffered too much to take anything away from this exquisite connection.

“Of course you can use it!” Joy leaks out of her as she pulls back to meet his gaze. “But only if you use ‘Perfect Day’ too.”

Luke winces. A shadow passes over his face. “Really? I don’t know. I didn’t write that for anyone else.”

“Neither did I,” Callie returns.

No. Nothing that’s happened over these last few weeks was meant for anyone outside of this room. None of it was about anything other than deep personal journeys—but the best, most authentic art usually is.

“Dude, she’s right,” I say, excitement mounting. “Think about the journey those three songs would represent. After everything we’ve been through, that’s some epic comeback shit right there.”

“You just need to add a good breakup song,” Callie jokes.

A ray of humor pokes through the somber pall. Maybe the Jana drama will have a purpose after all.

“I think I can handle that one,” I say with a laugh.

“Oh really?” Callie returns with a mock scowl.

“Not for you, silly! The angry ex who hit me.”

She snorts a laugh. “You could call it ‘Bella Amberosi.’”

“Hey, maybe. I have some ideas,” I reply with a smirk.

My humor fades when my gaze settles on Luke again. He’s still deep in thought, but there’s a softness to him I haven’t seen in a very long time. I’m not sure I ever have.

He wanted to know if people can change? He’s living proof.

I told Callie at that first breakfast we knew two completely different people. At the time, I meant it as a point of concern and critique. Now, I see it as the opposite.

I knew the man our world tried to break. She met the trapped soul fighting to break free.

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