And one of those rules was not getting involved with a member’s family or exes. We hadn’t thought we had to make that one until Nikko slept with Tic’s mom. That’d nearly ended our career as a band altogether.
“Rules are boring. Besides”—she grinned—“I can keep a secret.”
I listened to the song once more, making sure it was good enough before deciding to show it to Avery. When I got to the top of the basement stairs, Tic and Nikko were on the couch, playing video games. Gunshots and explosions echoed throughout the house, shaking the floorboards.
Her door was half-open, so I poked my head in as I knocked. “Is the TV too loud? I can ask them to turn it down.”
Avery looked up and quickly pulled an earbud out. “Did you need something?”
“Never mind. Can I talk to you for a minute?”
She nodded and gestured to the floor covered in papers. “Sit anywhere. Preferably on my notes on infected wounds.” Her lip curled in disgust, and I laughed, plopping myself right in front of her.
I paused to take her in. Her plaid shirt was unbuttoned almost halfway down, exposing the lace trim of her bra. I swallowed when she set her book down, showing me more of the sheer white fabric. This was the first time I’d seen her this close and in good lighting since I’d kissed her. She didn’t make an effort to fix her ponytail that had almost completely fallen out, and her makeup was gone. If this was her, raw and unfiltered, I envied the man who would get to wake up to her every morning.
She cleared her throat, and I blinked.
“I have something for you,” I said, raising my phone. After getting her permission, I plugged her earbuds into my phone and hit Play. I moved my lips to the words in silence, counting the beats in my head.
Three minutes and twenty-one seconds felt like three hours and twenty-one minutes as I waited for her reaction. There were very few songs we made that I knew would be instant hits. We were a good band, and I loved all of the music we created, but I was meticulous when it came to our songs. This was a song I didn’t doubt for a second.
I watched every inch of her face, trying to decipher if she loved it or hated it. It was different to hear your own words sung back to you when you might’ve heard them differently in your head.
The song had ended thirty seconds ago, and she still had her eyes locked on my hands holding my phone.
She hated it.I knew it.
Her lip quivered as I unplugged her earbuds followed by a single tear.
“Wait.” She sniffled and brought her eyes up to mine. “Can I listen again?”
Relief exploded in my chest. “You like it?”
“It’s incredible, Liam.” The tear curved around her smile.
“I’ll send it to you. That way, you can listen as much as you want.”
She bent forward, wrapping her arms around my neck. Her loose ponytail brushed my face. Notes of citrus and honey left me transfixed. She slowly pulled away and kissed the corner of my mouth. “Thank you.”
We both righted ourselves when we heard the front door open.
“Food!” Lexie shouted.
Avery’s cheeks flushed with the perfect rosy shade as she leaned back on her palms, exposing one of her lace breasts through the opening of her shirt.
My gaze lowered, finding the slightest outline of her nipple beneath the fabric. “Avery,” I rasped.
“Mmhmm?” She grinned knowingly.
I ground my teeth together, somehow managing to keep my composure. “Hungry?”
Her brow twitched. “Starved.”
So am I.
The sound of heavy boots came down the hall, so I shot up, meeting Danny at the door.
“Uh, hey, Liam,” Danny said, looking surprised.
