Page 30 of When It Reins
That’s what he gets for being the silent, brooding type. I feel compelled to fill in the silence whenever he’s around.
Little Starling.
I hear his voice in my head, using the nickname he seems to have picked for me. I wonder if he picked it recently, or if it’s something he’s thought for a while. He’s a closed book that I can’t pry open with a crowbar.
I don’t think I’m ready to quit trying, though.
An hour later, we arrive at the studio. Felicity has been working out of this one ever since she moved back to Colorado and invites me along often. It is amazing to not only watch her work, but to watch how her mind works when it is helping me piece together my thoughts and feelings.
“Your mind is working overtime today,” Felicity remarks, settling into her favored big chair in the studio. We usually spend some time before recording going over notes and all of her and my ideas. Then I get to watch her work her magic.
Today it is just us. Her band isn’t joining us, and I am grateful because Felicity is just far enough removed from my situation but also knowledgeable about it to be helpful.
In high school, from what she’s told me, she was best friends with Mitch when she dated his brother, Jax. So I am hoping that I’m going to be brave enough to ask her the questions that are circling my mind.
“I’ve had a lot happen recently,” I admit, pulling my guitar out of its case and settling into the couch. I’m not the best guitarist in the world, but I know enough to carry a tune.
“What’s going on?” she asks, taking out her tablet to find the songs she’ll work on today. “This have to do with Sunday?”
Of course. Felicity was there when everything went down, but I was too focused on her brother-in-law to really talk to anyone else.
“Yeah, kind of. Among other things.”
“How are things with David?”
See, this was why Felicity is a good person to talk to. If Annmarie had asked that question, I have no doubt there would have been a rising tone or snarky comment about David in the question.
“Um, not happening, I guess,” I admit, fiddling with the strings on my guitar to give my hands something to do. “He’s called a bunch.”
Her sharp eyes look to mine, and she waits for more before saying, “And? You’re not answering?”
“No, I’m not,” I say, sighing. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Well, it seemed kind of like you picked Mitch over him the other day.” She starts, and I can already feel the blush rising in my cheeks. “Hey, that’s not a bad thing. Mitch is a good guy.”
I look at her, embarrassed to be talking about this, but knowing that she is the best person to talk to about it. She knows Mitch like I know Mitch, not like my sisters, who would force theissue. “I know he is. He’s the best guy—who doesn’t want anyone to know it.”
Felicity laughs, her wild blonde hair moving with her laughter. “Yes. Exactly. Stubborn ass.”
I laugh with her, and when we settle down, I sigh, leaning against the back of the couch. “I don’t really know how to feel. I feel weird about the breakup, but I know that’s for the best. I have no desire to get back together with him.”
“But?”
I bite my lip, thinking of the best way to put this. “But…Mitch has kind of always been in the background of my mind.”
Felicity hums, and I look over at her.
“What? Is that so awful of me?”
“Not at all,” she reassures quickly, setting her tablet on the arm of her chair and facing me more head on. “You want to know what I think?”
“I’m pretty sure you’re the only one who knows us both enough to have a good opinion on the matter.”
“Well, I’m honored for that,” she replies, twisting a lock of hair around her finger. “But I think that while he’s been in the back of your mind for a while, you’ve been at the front of his.”
I stay silent for a few minutes before a scoff leaves my lips. “What?” I chuckle awkwardly, not wanting to believe what she is saying. “That’s not true.”
“Come on, Juniper. I’m not blind.” She leans forward. “Remember when we sang at the festival two years ago, and I asked you to come to the studio that first time?”
