Warmth.
I like this feeling.
Alex’s musical background and everything else surprise me, but it only enthralls me more. It makes me want to drop the bass and race over to her. I have so many questions, but I can’t think of any right now, which is making it all the more confusing.
Everyone erupts into a round of applause while I sit here simply smiling and shaking my head. My mind is a confused mess, and Alex, chewing on her bottom lip, looking at me like she’s awaiting my approval, isn’t helping. Bringing my hands together, I clap along with everyone else as she lets out a small giggle and tilts her head in acknowledgment.
“You’re so much better than me, Matt,” Augie says, and I avert my eyes from Alex and chuckle.
“Practice makes perfect, as they say, I guess. But I’m more than happy to give you some pointers… if you want?”
Augie smiles widely. “Shit, really?”
“Of course!”
“Well, after we play a Recoil song, which has to be “I’ll Take Your Breath Away,” if you’re not sick of it, of course, Matt?” Gianna asks, and I nod, looking back at Alex.
It’s a beautiful song that reminds me of my brother and Zaria, but the lyrics are so meaningful that I’d love to hear Alex’s spin on it.
“For sure, I can rock out all night,” I chime, and everyone chuckles before Gianna counts us in with her sticks again, and we start jamming. Alex’s velvety voice rings through the silver-lit night, and I love that she can sing this song almost as well as Danger, turning it from a rock tune into an acoustic ballad. She puts a great spin on it, and to be honest, Danger needs to hear it sung this way. We need to do a version like this and release it, even if it is just a promo piece.
Alex’s musical inclinations make her a tremendous asset to us. Not only is she versed and talented in art, where she thrives with Nate, but now this?
I didn’t see this coming.
Not at all.
I internally hum the words as I do, as if I were at one of our shows, and as the song draws to a close, I look at Alex and smile. She sings the last few words, and everyone claps again as I strum the final chords and hand the bass to Augie.
“Alex, get a drink with me?” I ask.
Her smile falters. She takes a deep breath, nods, and we both stand. She steps around the pit as the music starts up again, and they continue with someone else singing, who’s nowhere near as perfect as her, and with Augie playing the bass.
Alex reaches my side, and I put my arm out, wrapping it around her shoulders and pulling her to me. She leans in easily, fitting into my side as I walk with her to the makeshift bar.
“So… you were just gonna keep that little talent locked away forever, huh?” I ask.
She laughs softly, shaking her head. “Honestly?Yeah, probably. I only sang tonight because of the fundraiser, and kinda didn’t have a choice with you sitting right there.”
I glance down at her. “Still… why not tell me you could sing?”
She shrugs. “It’s just not something I really want to do,” she says. “It’s fun, sure. I like messing around with arrangements and shit too. But art’s where my heart’s at.” She pauses, then adds with an eye roll, “And last time I got too into music, I met Kyle… so… yeah. We all know how that ended.”
I nod, remembering Kyle is her ex, who took everything from her, which is why she ended up in Rosalie House in the first place. It makes sense. I’m surprised she has any time for Nate and me at all, given such a jaded history of musicians in the past.
I sigh. “So, if Kyle was a music guy… why are you still working with Nate? Hanging out with me? Doesn’t that freak you out?”
She looks up at me. “You and Kyle aren’t even in the same universe.” I lift a brow, and she shrugs. “You guys aren’t out here scraping for cash, trying to hustle me for studio time or gear. You don’t need anything from me. Ineverfeel like you’re using me.” She hesitates, then adds, “And, I mean, Nate’s the one paying me. Well… technically, Ria is, but still.” A flush rises to her cheeks, and she fumbles through it. “You know what I mean. You guys have your own lives, your own money. You’re not trying to bleed me dry or control me like he did…” she pauses, then says it with quiet certainty, “… you’re nothing like Kyle. Neither of you are.”
I lean in and kiss her temple. “I’dneverhurt you, Alex. Not ever. And Nate? He’s basically a golden retriever when it comes to you. You’ve got him completely wrapped around your finger.”
She lets out a soft laugh. “Heisa puppy. A very lost one lately.” Her tone shifts, gentle but curious. “But right now, I wanna talk about you.”
I blink. “Me? What’d I do?”
She squeezes my side, smiling. “You know… that donation you made?” She pauses and takes a breath. “Rosalie House has been struggling. Like, barely hanging on, struggling. This fundraiser was kind of a last shot… Nora was seriously considering shutting it down.” Her voice wavers. “But between tonight’s donations, yours included… you basically saved it, Matt.” Her eyes are glassy, shining with emotion. “Nora and I, we’re so damn grateful. You have no idea.”
My chest tightens, but in the best way. I pull her in, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. “If it helps, I’m making it a tradition. Every year, I’m here. This place matters. And hey, it gave me you, didn’t it?” She lets out a soft laugh, and I keep going. “I’ll even pitch it to the band and Tillie. Maybe we can make it part of our official fundraising efforts. Lunar’s a natural with this kind of stuff. She’d be amazing for the house.”
