Page 89 of Crimson Desires

I shook my head. “We took a break from trying to record it. I haven’t been able to get it right.”

“What do you mean? Like, the lyrics, or the melody, or what?”

“It’s hard to explain. Sometimes, a take just feels good, you know? And none of the takes I’ve done so far have been cutting it.”

Aster’s eyes flickered over to the studio. “Well, can I hear what it sounds like? You can play it on the guitar, can’t you?”

I swallowed thickly. “Are you sure you want to hear it?”

“Jack. Are you kidding? It’s a new Wicked Crimson song. Of course, I want to hear it.”

Confidence trickled into my chest, filling my lungs. “Okay,” I said. “Follow me. I’ll play it for you. But just one thing, Aster.”

“Yeah?”

I gave her a wry smile that was only half-joking. “It’ll break my heart if you don’t like it.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Aster

“It’ll break my heart if you don’t like it.”

Jack’s ocean-colored eyes glimmered with vulnerability. Despite his ever-cocky grin, I sensed the nervousness bubbling in his chest.

The studio itself was stylish but messy. The walls were paneled with oak wood and covered with black foam pads. A heavy shag carpet rested on the ground. Cables, wires, and equipment occupied every inch of space, and I felt like a secret agent dodging lasers as I did my best to avoid stepping on them.

Jack had me sit down on a leather couch at the back of the studio while he grabbed Axel’s guitar and pulled up a chair.

He fiddled around with the tuners and strummed a few random chords.

Then, he began with a series of plucked notes. He didn’t look me in the eyes as he played. He kept his face trained on the vibrating strings of the instrument.

Then, he opened his mouth and began to sing.

Before her,

I was selfish, restless,

Just another lonely king

Before her,

I was aimless, making

Songs that never meant a thing

Before her,

I never thought that

My world was worth challenging

But now I’ve

Opened up my eyes...

His voice was shaky at first. It exhibited a nervousness that I never saw him wear onstage. It almost reminded me of how he’d sung at the Fringe Factory open mic.

---