Page 141 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

“Too good to be out on the football field playing at quarterback,” Travis said.

“Okay, okay, I get it. You’re pissed at me. I deserve it. But I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere. Now are we doing this thing or what?”

“Fuck, yeah, we’re doing it.” Jude stalked off toward the equipment and started tinkering with the mic stand. “We’ll play the first couple of songs for you, let you get a feel for the new material and see if you can pick it up from there?”

“Sounds good.” I guided Sofia over to the couch and we sat down. “Thanks for coming,” I whispered, stealing another kiss.

Her lips curved into a shy smile. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

* * *

“Holy shit, that sounded good.”Jude grinned at me, just like old times.

“Yeah, I gotta hand it to you, Kandon. It’s like you never left.”

Even Travis managed a smile. My jaw hurt from all the smiling and laughing. We’d been at it almost an hour, going on the set list, figuring out my riffs and solos. The guys were surprisingly amiable, letting me make suggestions and bat ideas around to tighten some of the choruses and opening notes of a handful of songs.

I felt alive. Adrenaline pumping through my veins, giving me a high that only playing guitar could.

It was good to be back, with my friends—my band—and it was even better knowing that Sofia was right here, watching. Supporting me.

“Think we’ll be ready in time?” I asked, knowing that the five days we had to prepare was cutting it close. Throw in football practice, the game Friday, and wanting to spend as much time with my girl as possible, the pressure was on.

“Can you come over and rehearse every night?”

“Except Friday.” My gaze flicked over to Sofia, and she nodded. I didn’t want to waste the time we had together, but I really, really wanted to do this.

Shit. Maybe I should have talked to her first.

Guilt rose up inside me. I’d promised to be by her side, and I wanted to, I did. But I also needed a plan B if my old man was about to pull the plug on my tuition for college.

“Yeah, yeah, Mr. Football Hotshot,” Travis teased. “We know the band comes second to the Rixon Raiders.”

“Trav.” Jude shook his head. He knew how hard it had been for me to walk away from the band. But I had no choice. At least, that’s what I’d truly believed back then.

“So we’ll see you tonight? Around seven?”

“Yeah. Can’t wait.” I grabbed my bag and made my way over to Sofia.

“Hey, Kandon’s girl,” Travis called.

“I have a name, you know.” She arched a brow.

“I know.” He grinned. “Listen, you should come by with Cole tonight. You’re good for him.”

“Sure. I mean, if you don’t think I’ll be a distraction.” Her whole face lit up, and I loved it. I loved that she fit into my life so easily.

Jesus, I was so gone for this girl.

And I wanted to tell her, I did. But I also didn’t want to add another layer of pressure to our relationship.

Not when she already had so much to think about.

“Nah, you’re good. Besides, you really helped earlier with the arrangement for Missed Notes.”

“I loved that one.” Her smile grew. “It was just so… deep yet hopeful.”

“You know, your boy wrote the original version of that. We’ve tweaked it since, but that one was all Kandon.”

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