Page 492 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

folding itself into her.

She’s singing it, like it’s hers.

Because it is.

It’s not mine anymore.

Everyone behind the glass goes blurry,

Raymond’s collar tightening around my throat, the credits grabbing my chest, not wanting to let go.

‘Cause the song is everything I wanted it to be, and the crush of losing it is rushing in fast.

The second it all comes together,

the fucking moment it’s complete,

I have to say goodbye.

A cold sweat breaks along my spine, the familiar, sickening twist of my stomach.

“Uh-uh-uh…” Ace points at me. “It’s comin’. Run, girl. Before it’s too late.”

I turn my back to the glass,

try to breathe.

Ace’s teasing laughter muffles.

My hand shakes as I take off my headphones, a seizure of pure electricity pooling between my legs.

‘Cause it’s been days.

I haven’t needed release like this.

But right now, I fucking need it.

I cross the tracking room fast,

headphones still swinging behind me.

“Aaaand there she goes.

“Gotta hide the face.”

I grab the sound-lock door before the first tear cuts.

Andrew’s stepping inside,

coming in from the control room,

closing the world behind him.

Then it’s only us

in this tiny windowless room.

And he steps in front of me,