Page 53 of Wild

“Do you feel comfortable putting this on the album?” Hayes asks me, his gaze steady. He knows from the lyrics, the words I poured my heart and soul into, how personal it is. He knows I might not want it out there for everyone to hear. I appreciate him giving me the choice to say no. My words for myself, my vows to Mia, do I want everyone to hear them? They won’t know who it’s about, but I will, she will.

“Can I think on it and get back to you?”

He nods. “Sure.”

The guys look at me, Cannon’s green eyes seeing too much. He knows who those words are for, why I’m hesitating to say yes.

Before his questioning gaze can probe too far, Hayes calls for him to enter the booth. He pushes off the couch and heads inside, grabbing his bass guitar off the wall.

Relief floods through me at not having Cannon breathing down my neck.

Rush plops unceremoniously into the spot vacated by Cannon.

He smirks at me, tilting his head in…

Fuck.

“Kira?” I ask softly, the word only a hush under my breath.

“Yep.” He nods, still smirking—and I know the smirk has nothing to do with getting laid.

“Did you see…?” I trail off, letting him fill in the blanks.

“Yep.” He nods again, and I want nothing more than to punch the smile off his face. “Enjoy your night?”

“I’m not talking about this,” I growl. It has nothing to do with Hayes being in the room—though it is a deterrent. I refuse to talk about Mia with Rush, withanyone.

“Really?” He raises a brow and I know then he’s baited me on purpose. “Since when?”

“Since now.”

* * *

Hours later Miastrolls into the studio in a tight pair of jeans hugging her hips and a white shirt with red on the sleeves.

“Coffee,” she says, passing the drinks around.

I give her a thankful smile and nod my head.

Act indifferent. Don’t show how much you care. You can’t get caught.

After the drinks are passed around, she kisses her dad on the cheek and he swings the chair in her direction. “How was your night?”

I stiffen with worry, but Mia doesn’t miss a beat.

“It was good. Kira and I watched some Netflix before crashing.”

Rush snorts but covers it with a cough.

“You know…” she begins, then hesitates. “I’m starting to think it would be easier to get a place here.”

I startle in surprise and then act like I dropped something to cover my reaction.

“Really?” Hayes asks in disbelief. “You haven’t said anything to us.”

She shrugs. “Kira brought it up this morning and it has me thinking. I go to school here, work here, the studio is here…” She trails off and he nods.

“You know we don’t want you to go, but we’ll support you either way. If you find a place, I’ll pay for it.”

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