Page 31 of Lyric & the Heartbeats

That was a good question.

Forcing the stars out of his gaze, Nohen shook his head and glanced down at the guitar. It created beautiful sounds, but only at the command of his touch. And they’d just played their first truly amazing song as a band. He could feel it in his chest, in the energy in the room.

Whatever had been holding Lyric back since day one was gone. She was still hesitant, still shy of something, but the longer they practiced, the more confident she became.

“We’re totally kicking ass today,” Desi announced as they finished the final song of the set.

They’d been playing for a few hours, going straight through the set list and then retouching a few songs they’d stumbled over.

By they, Nohen really meant he.

At least that was what it felt like. Truthfully, while they all were finally riding the same wave of inspiration, finally all in sync with one another, it was still a new set of songs they were all learning. He was hyperaware of every mistake he made, every note he skipped or jumbled, and every beat he came in early on.

Damn Lyric for weaving such an intricate tapestry of music.

While this had been the best practice they’d had so far, it was far from perfect.

Which was exactly what Lyric had been stressing over so much that first morning. He’d be damned if he was the one who ruined it.

So color him surprised when Lyric bit her lip and glanced between the four of them. “Why don’t we call it a day a little early?”

Desi grinned, and with a click of her sticks in one hand, stood up.

“Hell yes!” she agreed.

Nohen grinned at her enthusiasm, his shoulders relaxing. Desi was fun.

“So, I guess I’ll see you guys in the morning?” Lyric asked, and popped the mic back into its stand. She’d really gotten into the last song, dancing around and making them all smile, even Emerson, who Nohen couldn’t quite put his finger on. Friend or foe? He couldn’t tell yet.

Nohen nodded absently in answer to Lyric’s question and lifted the strap over his head before placing the guitar gently in its stand.

“Actually…” Desi began. “Why don’t we all… go out?”

Lyric snapped her head around at the beta and stared. “Out?”

With a shrug, Desi grinned. “Yeah. Why not? We can get dinner and chat or go dancing.”

“All of us?” she questioned again, darting her gaze over to him before Odd and to Emerson.

Desi’s lips twitched. “Yes, that’s what I said. We’re going to be stuck together for six weeks on a bus. And no offense, but I’m not one to walk on eggshells around people, so we might as well get to know each other ahead of time. If I piss you off now, you’ll have time to get over it before we get on the bus.”

Lyric shook her head with a smile, and… shrugged. “I’m in.”

Nohen pulled his phone out and glanced down. It was only three in the afternoon, and he really didn’t have anything else to do.

“Ah, what the hell? I’m down,” he agreed.

“Ah, it’s a little early for dancing, isn’t it?” Odd asked. He was flipping switches on the keyboard and the synth to turn everything off for the evening, but his brows were knotted into a distinct bunch in the middle of his forehead.

“Says who?” Lyric questioned with a grin.

“Says just about every bar ever,” Emerson retorted dryly.

Nohen barely refrained from rolling his eyes. What a buzzkill.

He placed his guitar in his stand before turning around and crossing his arms to face him.

Desi had no reservations and rolled her eyes while scoffing. “If that’s the attitude you’re going to have, I rescind my invite. Otherwise” —she linked her arm with Lyric’s— “we’re going to have drinks and get to know each other. Feel free to join.”