Jax flips him off, but his lips twitch. It’s not a full smile, but it’s the closest we’ve seen in days.
I knew this was a good idea.
Lily perches nearby on the couch, her blonde hair falling in soft waves around her shoulders, watching us with a mixture of curiosity and concern. She hates the tension between us, but knows this is how we work through things. She wants us to come together, and for once, she might just get her wish.
“You’re up too,” I tell her, pointing with my bass.
She blinks, looking startled. “What?”
“Yeah, Lil,” Dylan chimes in, grinning. “You’re gonna have to replace Jax if he keeps screwing up. Might as well start practicing with us now.”
Jax scowls but doesn’t argue. He knows he blew it at the last show, and there’s no point pretending otherwise.
Lily laughs nervously, brushing her hair behind her shoulder. “I’m not stealing Jax’s spot. No way.” She taps her fingers against her chin, then tacks on, “But… I’ll sing if we write a new song. One with a part for me. That’s my condition.”
Marcus’s lips curl into a smirk as he strums a few experimental chords, like he’s already looking to find anew rhythm. His lips twitch into a smirk. “A new song, huh?”
The room shifts. That spark, that magic we’ve been missing, starts to build as Marcus plays again, adding to the chords he just played. I pick up the bass line, letting the rhythm flow through me and add to the melody Marcus has created. Dylan catches on, tapping out a steady beat, his drumsticks thumping against his drums with precision. Jax leans back, eyes closed, humming softly as he pieces together rough lyrics.
And then Lily joins in.
Her voice is tentative at first, barely above a whisper, but it blends seamlessly with the melody. She adds her own words, weaving them into Jax’s in a way that feels natural, almost effortless. I don’t follow the meaning of what’s said, caught up in the tonality alone.
When Jax stumbles, Lily doesn’t hesitate. She takes the lead, her voice growing stronger with every note. Jax watches her, then jumps back in, his voice finding its place beside hers. The way they harmonize—it’s raw, unpolished, but undeniably powerful.
Something new. Something real. Something… perfect.
The hair on my arms stands up. Holy shit.
Lily’s voice surprises me. It’s clear, with a husky undertone that cuts through the room. I glance at Marcus, and he looks just as blown away.
Even Dylan, usually quick with a joke, pauses mid-beat to mutter, “Holy fuck.”
Jax, for once, doesn’t seem like his usual broody motherfucking self. He’s smiling, really smiling, as he and Lily trade lines. It’s like he’s rediscovered a part of himself he thought was gone.
When the song fades, stunned silence hangs in the air for a beat.
“Shit, Lily,” I say, breaking the quiet. “That was… unexpected.”
She blushes, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Thanks. But I’m still not replacing Jax. I just wanted to play around and sing.”
Dylan grins wickedly. “Nope, sorry. You’re officially ours now. Can’t back out now. Welcome to Electric Wounds, Lily.”
Before anyone can react, he leaps out from behind his practice set, scooping her up and tossing her over his shoulder.
“Dylan!” she squeals, laughing and swatting at his back.
“Dibs!” he yells, carrying her toward the hallway. “You’re mine for the night. Better luck tomorrow, suckers!”
Marcus and I exchange amused glances as they disappear. Dylan’s antics might be ridiculous, but they lighten the mood in a way only he can. As I set my bass down, the sound of a door slamming down the hall echoes into the living room. A spurt of jealousy tugs at me, but I push it aside. We’ve all been through hell this past week. I’m not going to fault Dylan for wanting Lily to himself for a while.
And Lily… Lily’s becoming an essential part of our group. Dylan may have acted like it was a joke, but she was ours. No take backs.
I glance at Marcus, his blue eyes thoughtful as he watches the empty hallway. “Ready to make this band whole again?” he asks quietly.
“Fuck yes,” I reply.
With Lily, with the music, with all of us together—we’re going to make this work. One song at a time.
