Page 6 of Hard Rock Temptation
I’d always been bad at lying, but Chris didn’t call me out on it. He was a good guy, wasn’t a shit-disturber like half the members of the band. Before he joined us it sometimes seemed like Anya and I were the only sane ones of the bunch, and even then Anya was sometimes a toss-up when she was sleep-deprived and uncaffeinated.
“I was hoping to ask you about our work on the second album,” Chris said. “I know I haven’t really contributed much.”
“It’s all good,” I told him. “Not everyone’s a songwriter.”
“That’s the thing,” he said sheepishly. It was an odd sight to see, such a beefy guy hunching his shoulders as if afraid he was about to be scolded. “I’ve kind of been working on something.”
“Oh yeah?” I asked, interest piqued. I hadn’t known Chris cared much about writing songs.
He nodded. “Kaylee’s been helping me.”
I froze.
Kaylee. Helping Chris. With songwriting.
Kaylee helping Chris with one of the most important things we did together. The thing that had brought us closer to each otherthan anyone else in the band. The thing that had turned us from young bandmates to best friends.
A raging, jealous beast erupted in my chest.
“That’s nice of her,” I said, unable to keep my voice from sounding as icy as my heart felt.
Either Chris didn’t notice my flaring nostrils and clenched fists, or he was too tactful to make a comment.
“I just wanted to let you know,” Chris said calmly. “That we’ve been working on stuff, I mean.”
Whatdidhe mean? That he wanted to let me know they were working on stuff, so I could consider his input when planning the second album?
Or did he want to let me know, specifically, that he was working with Kaylee? He wouldn’t feel the need to do that, would he, unless…?
The beast inside me roared. If this asshole thought he could lay his hands on Kay…
“I actually think she’s getting a little sick of me,” Chris chuckled. “I’m pretty bad at the lyrics part. I’m too literal, apparently. She told me to get a thesaurus.”
“We all know how much Kay loves her metaphors.” The hot, jealous rage cooled somewhat, replaced by a pleasant warmth.
I’d always teased Kaylee about her lyrics, but the truth was, I loved them. She could take a simple word or phrase and, with a little twist, make someone feel the most intense emotions.
“Anyway, I was just hoping you might consider some of my stuff, if it’s any good,” Chris said, rubbing a hand across the back of his neck awkwardly.
“Let me know when you’ve got something you’re proud of and I’ll give it a listen,” I told him. “Bring your A-game, all right?”
Chris perked up and gave me a grin. “Always do.”
I found myself responding with a smile of my own, the jealousy fading away. I was being unreasonable, and Chris was too good-natured of a guy to stay mad at.
Besides, even if he did want to… Well, I had no right to interfere, did I?
“I’m glad I caught you before the show, to talk it out,” he said. “We haven’t been seeing you around as much.”
I winced, then quickly smoothed out my face. Hadeveryonenoticed?
“Yeah, well, you know how busy I’ve been,” I said with a weak chuckle. “Lots of work on the production side and all that. Not a lot of time for socializing.”
I was clearly unconvincing because a concerned look crossed his face.
“Do you want me to get Anya to talk to Kaylee?” Chris asked. “Maybe ask her to back off a bit if she’s stressing you out?”
My mouth went dry.
