Page 84 of One More Made Up Love Song
“Hey.”
Her eyes travel over my naked torso. “Hey,” she says back.
I wait for her to say something else, but she just stands there, so I eventually ask, “Is everything okay?”
“Do you want to go to Knoxville with me?” she blurts in response. “To take Carina home?” She shifts on her feet, her hands hooked around the hem of her sweatshirt. “I thoughtyou might want to see the farm. And…” She hesitates, then licks her lips. “And meet my parents.”
There is a weight to her words, and I immediately sense the significance of what she’s asking me. This isn’t about a random trip to Knoxville. This is about going to Knoxvillewith her.To meet her family. To see where she grew up.
So far, the significant moments that Ivy and I have shared have been orchestrated. Appearances for the press. Kisses for the fans. Holding hands to show the world that we’re together.
But this. Going to Knoxville doesn’t have anything to do with any of that. This isn’t part of an act. If I go, it’s going to be because I want to.
And I really,reallydo.
“Yes,” I say without hesitation. “I would love to.”
Her face relaxes the slightest bit, and her lips lift into a small smile. “Good.” She holds my gaze for a long moment. “I’m glad.”
“Tomorrow?” I ask, and she shakes her head.
“I was thinking the day after? You’d have to miss a couple days of studio time, so I totally get it if you’d rather?—”
“I don’t care about the studio time,” I say, cutting her off. Because I don’t. At this point, I’d record the rest of the album on my phone in a bus stop bathroom if it meant getting to spend more time with her. “Seriously. I think a break would be good for me.”
She smiles one more time. “Okay.”
“Okay,” I repeat.
She backs up a few steps without breaking my gaze. “Good night, Freddie,” she finally says. Then she turns and darts down the hall, disappearing into the darkness.
Taking my heart with her.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Freddie
Consideringhow late we were up the night before, I don’t expect to make it to Leo’s studio until after lunch. But when he texts me just past ten and says I’m welcome to show up whenever, I don’t waste any time getting there.
I’ve had lyrics running through my brain all morning, and I’d love to get it down on paper.
As soon as we show up, Wayne heads to the lounge area at the back of the rehearsal space while I unpack my guitar.
Leo looks up from where he’s sitting at the piano and immediately grins.
“What has you smiling?”
I shrug as I connect to Leo’s amp. “Nothing. Just happy to be here. Ready to make some music.”
“I don’t believe you,” Leo says.
“Why don’t we believe him?” Adam says as he and Jace walk into the room from the booth situated opposite the sound stage.
“Because he’s got a weird grin on his face,” Leo says. He plays a few chords of the song we worked on the last time we were here, and goosebumps break out across my skin. Sometimes when a melody finds me, something happens on a visceral level, some recognition of a good, true, creative thing.
I can’t explain it, and I don’t always find it. But knowing it’s out there—it’s enough to keep me chasing it every time I write.
“That’s why I’m grinning,” I say to Leo. “We wrote a good song.”
