Page 29 of A Country Kind Of Love
“I have spent weeks, sometimes months, torturing myself over lyrics. I used to think that was the most important thing. I believed good lyrics were the number one driving force in making a hit song, but I was wrong,” Peyton says. She reaches for her notepad and turns it to thefourth page.
“I realised all the songs I’d written in here weren’t trash. They were the opposite. I just failed to find the right melody.”
Peyton plays a simple melody. She’s played it a thousand times, so there is nohesitation.
“A famous songwriter said you should write about what you know. I took the advice literally. I went away and wrote a song about driving through Malibu in my Jeep with the roof missing.” Peyton laughs. “It was a terrible song. Over time I honed my skills, and now I treat it like my journal. It can get raw, but I think that’s what people relate to. I certainly do.”
The lyrics on the open page are personal to Peyton’s own heartbreak, but they’re mild; some songs she wouldn’t dream of sharing with anyone. This one is easier. The vulnerability of her last relationship has subsided somewhat over the past year. The song entitled “Strangers” is written in sloppy cursive handwriting across the topof the page.
“Was it all a waste? The way your heart replaced me so soon. What did you do?” Her hands feel clammy. Her voice is shaky, but she tries to ease into the song. It’s by far the scariest thing she’s done in a long time. Cleo brings a calmness, a safe space that makes Peyton feel brave. “Is there any chance for some rekindled romance, betweenme and you?”
Peyton knows she can sing. She still has the first place certificate from her school’s sixth grade talent contest to prove it. She may not have the god given talent of Tori Kelly; her riffs are out of this world, but Peyton can hold her own.
“I thought I’d never see the light of day without you...”
Her voice breaks. “Sorry. I’m nervous. I don’t really do this.”
“Sing?” Cleo asks.
“Not in frontof people.”
“You should. Your voice is beautiful.” Cleo reaches around and points to the next line.
“A second heartbreak, another big mistake, you can’t hidethe truth.”
Peyton sings the bridge next followed by the first round of the chorus. Once Cleo follows the melody, she joins in. They sing it through a second time in harmony. Cleo takes a slightly lower register. She follows the shape of the melody perfectly complementing Peyton’s key.
“You sound so good!”Peyton says.
“Ditto.” Cleo manoeuvres her body to face Peyton from the side. “It’s a crime you know.”
“What is?”
“Keeping your talent from the world.” Cleo smiles. “You’ve gotit; whateveritis.”
“That’s sweet of you, but I write songs. I’m no CarrieUnderwood.”
“God no, I never said you were that good.”Cleo winks.
Peyton gasps pretending to be offended, but her laugh gives her away. She is continuously aware of Cleo’s touch. It’s subtle, but she can feel her hand run along the exposed part of her leg. Peyton leans in closer; her face flushes.
Why does that keep happening?
What is it about this girl?
Peyton’s never felt such a sexual drive towards anyone, not even Chloe. Her face is so close now that Peyton can smell the sweet minty flavour of the gum she was chewing earlier. Their lips meet, and it’s soft, intense, and just... dare she sayit, perfect?
Peyton grins as Cleo pulls her lips away. She’s happy, really happy. Does this constitute an impeccable date? She’s heard other people discuss dates where connections burst above them like fireworks in the sky, and the chemistry is so present that trying to deny it would be like denying the sun its ability to shine. Is this what thatfeels like?
“I’m performing at the Bluebird next Friday. Come with me?” Cleo whispers. Her lips are a centimetre from Peyton’s waiting patiently to return.
“I’d love to,”Peyton says.
Does that count as a second date? She hopes so.
The famous Bluebird Cafe is on Peyton’s to-do list. Snagging tickets is nearly impossible. It is famously the place both Taylor Swift and Garth Brooks were discovered. Going there with Cleo, well, Peyton feels like it’s something she couldget used to.
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