Enzo looks up from his phone, raising an eyebrow. “I’m down. We need to get back to what we do best.”
Marcus nods, his focus already turning inward. “I’ve been working on a new riff. We can start there.”
“I’d love to sing some more,” Lily teases, flashing Jax a grin. “But only if you give me my own part. Maybe in a song or two. I’m not about to steal your thunder, Jax.”
Jax chuckles, rolling his eyes. “Deal. Just don’t show me up.”
We finish breakfast, clean up, and move into the living room, where our instruments are still scattered around. Marcus picks up his guitar and starts playing a deep, soulful riff that instantly draws everyone in. I grab a notepad, handing it to Lily to jot down any lyrics, while Enzo picks up his bass, adding a rhythm that gives the song a heartbeat. I slide behind my drum kit, adding a beat.
Jax leans back on the couch, tapping his foot. “That sounds good. What if we add a heavier section here?” he suggests, humming a few notes.
Marcus nods, adjusting his playing slightly. The melody evolves as we work, ideas bouncing off each other. Lily, sitting on the couch closest to me, taps her foot in time with the rhythm, her eyes sparkling with inspiration.
“Got any lines for this, Lil?” I ask, glancing over at her.
She grins, her excitement contagious. “Maybe. Something like, ‘Running through the darkness, but the light’s always calling.’ Could fit with that bit Marcus is playing.”
Enzo raises an eyebrow, looking impressed. “Not bad.”
As the hours pass, the song starts to take shape. The process feels collaborative, fluid, and for the first time in a long while, we’re all in sync. Enzo works to tweak the bass line, while Marcus experiments with different rhythms. Jaxand Lily move closer, bending their heads together as she jots down lyrics on the notepad.
“Maybe something softer for the bridge,” Jax suggests.
Lily nods. “Okay, what about this?” She asks, scratching down a line and jotting down something else.
Jax’s eyes light up. “Yeah, that could work. We could sing a line together, then branch off here…” He points to the paper.
Lily grins, her excitement infections. “I love it. Let’s try it.”
By the time the sun starts to dip low in the sky, we have three new songs, each one filled with energy and emotion. And two of them featuring Lily. It feels like we’ve finally gotten the bottled-up tension out, the music our way of releasing it.
We’re just wrapping up when Enzo leans back with a groan, stretching his arms above his head. “Alright, this was great and all, but we need to have a serious conversation.”
Marcus raises an eyebrow. “What’s that?”
Enzo smirks, shooting me a mock-serious look. “Dylan’s not allowed to just claim dibs on Lily anymore. We need a schedule.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “A schedule?”
Lily opens her mouth to protest, but I shush her with a grin. “Sorry, Lil. You don’t get a say. We’re planning your schedule now.”
She throws her hands up in mock surrender, laughing. “Fine, fine. I’ll leave you boys to it.”
Enzo smirks, crossing his arms. “Alright. Monday’s mine.”
Marcus shoots him a look. “You can’t just call Monday.If we are going to make a schedule, there will have to be a rotation that’s fair.”
Lily watches with a smile as we half-seriously, half-teasingly argue over how to divide her time. It’s ridiculous, but it causes everyone to laugh and relax. Even Jax is smiling, although he is not participating much.
In that moment, it feels like we’re on the right path again. And for now, that’s enough.
CHAPTER 22
UNSPOKEN CHOICES
LILY
The airin the living room feels heavy with anticipation. I can’t help grinning as I watch Enzo and Jax face off in what has somehow turned into the most intense game of rock-paper-scissors ever. It started as a joke, but the determination on their faces makes it seem like they’re negotiating world peace instead of deciding whose turn it is to spend the night with me.
