Page 34 of Lyric & the Heartbeats

“That’s not what you said last time,” Emerson countered.

Odd rolled his eyes and bumped his elbow into Emerson’s side. “If anyone was saying that, it was you.”

A slight pink colored Emerson’s cheeks, and he cleared his throat with a cough as they all chuckled at their banter.

But Nohen saw Lyric’s gaze dip in an almost frown, so he shamelessly asked for clarification.

“So what are you two really? Dating? Fucking? What do we need to worry about on tour?”

There. That’s a legitimate concern. I’m not just nosy. I’m practical.

Lyric was worried about the alphas, about the possibility of a pack, and two alphas who were shacking up would only intensify that fear. Were they planning on growing a pack?

“For lack of a better phrase, we’re fuck buddies,” Emerson supplied.

But it was Odd who came through with the details. “We live together, we both work odd jobs and random gigs, and… dating is exhausting. And since it’s just the two of us, I mean, why not? We’re too busy to build a pack right now, and we’re comfortable enough with each other that we’re happy for now,” he explained, a little flustered by the end of his spiel.

Nohen was pretty sure those were the most words he’d ever heard come out of the guy at one time.

“Just so long as we don’t have to worry about a lover’s tiff,” Nohen teased.

Odd visibly relaxed when Lyric chimed in. “What you guys do is your business. I agree with Nohen, as long as it doesn’t interfere with how you perform.”

“You don’t have to worry about us,” Emerson said with a shake of his head. “And not only because we don’t just play for one team either. In fact, having both of us on tour might make touring more manageable.”

Lyric snorted. “Why? So you can work out all your bad moods?”

Nohen gasped dramatically. “Is that why you’re being so nice right now?” He tipped his chin at Odd. “Nice job.”

The waitress interrupted their laughter with drinks, and they each thanked her politely amongst the chuckles.

Once she was gone, Nohen turned to Lyric. They’d had enough fun at Emerson’s expense… for now. “So, besides spending all your time with us, what are you most excited about for tour?” he asked.

Her cheeks were flushed with pink from laughing as she considered his question. Having her full attention on him made his heart skip a beat. It was different from that morning they’d practiced together. He’d had her attention all to himself when she’d sung to him privately, but there had been no one around. Here, at the table full of other people, it was intoxicating to hold her attention in front of the others.

God damn. But imagine having her attention... elsewhere.

He couldn’t help the thought, but she was testing his resolve as she nibbled on her bottom lip while considering his inquiry.

“I’ve never been on tour and never played a show to more than a roomful of people before… so honestly? It sounds cheesy, but I’m most excited to know what it feels like to step on stage for the first time and see a crowd of people out there.”

“Nothing cheesy about that. I’m sure plenty of people dream about having an entire auditorium cheering for them,” he replied.

Lyric smiled right at him, and Nohen knew he’d said the right thing. “What about you guys?” she asked, and sipped her water. “Are you excited to go on tour?”

Of course I’m excited, he wanted to say. I’ll get to spend time with you. Duh.

She almost held her breath after asking the question. Each day they drew closer to tour, excitement filled her up a little more, like a glass thermometer heating. By the time the day came to step out onto stage, she wondered if she’d explode into shards of excitement.

But what if the others didn’t feel the same way?

Of course, Desi was the first to answer and mitigate her fears.

“I cannot wait,” she said, leaning into the table. “I haven’t toured before either. Playing drums in front of a huge crowd? Sign me up. Now, Lyric,” Desi said, and leveled her with a serious stare.

“Yes?” she asked as she sipped her cocktail.

“Do you know what the stage setup looks like yet?” she questioned with a hopeful gleam in her eyes.