I know I’m pushing him right now, and usually I’d stop, but I can’t stop. I love this moment. Touching him. Singing. Being in the moment. So I keep going, shoving aside any self-protest until the song ends.

And the moment ends.

And I feel so sad for him again.

I’m sweating, exhausted, and fucking content as I climb off Ayden’s lap.

“So, how’d I do?” I pant, moving the microphone away from my mouth.

Sage is staring at me with his arms crossed over his chest. I don’t know him well enough to read him, but if I had to guess, he kind of looks impressed.

Sage trades a questioning look with Ayden. “You think we could rock the girl singer image?”

I sternly point at Sage. “Don’t insult my girliness. I rocked the crap out of that song.”

He fiddles with one of his eyebrow rings. “That you did.” His eyes scroll over me then he sticks out his hand. “What do you say, Lyric? You want to be the singer of Hearts and Scars.”

I’m starting to reach out to take his hand, but withdraw. “I will, but on one condition.”

His expression twists with confusion. “And what’s that?”

“We totally change the name to something way less cliché.”

“Change the name? Are you kidding me? We spent two months coming up with that name.”

“And it sucks balls, so maybe you should let me come up with one. I can even ask my dad for input,” I add enticingly.

His eyes light up as he considers my offer. “All right, you have a deal, Lyric.”

We shake on it, and he holds onto my hand way longer than necessary. Who knows why, nor do I care.

I turn to Ayden, grinning like an idiot. He doesn’t seem as happy about the agreement as I am, though.

“What’s wrong, shy boy?” I wipe the sweat from my brow.

He collects his guitar from the couch. “Nothing.”

My hand falls to my side. “I totally should have asked you if you were okay with this, right?”

“Why wouldn’t I be okay with this?” He slides the guitar strap over his head with his head down, his black hair shielding his eyes from my view.

“Because this is your guy thing.” I gesture around the garage. “And I just crashed it with my girliness.” Or is it about my inappropriate touching?

He shakes his head. “I can assure you that’s the last thing I was thinking. I love your girliness.”

“Then what are you thinking?” I smooth my thumb between his brows, trying to erase his worry.

His fingers strangle the guitar. “Lyric, I think we should—”

Sage clears his throat from behind us. “Nolan just pulled up.” He points over his shoulder, appearing uncomfortable as fuck, like he just caught Ayden and I having sex. “You two better be ready to play.”

“Okay.” I direct my attention back to Ayden. “What were you going to say?”

“Nothing.” Ayden strains a smile. “I’m fine. I promise. Now quit worrying and go rock your ass off.” He plugs the cord into the amp and focuses on tuning his guitar.

I hate this. This last week has sucked big time, and now he suddenly seems even quieter. I want my Ayden back.

“Are you sure you’re sure?”

All he does is nod.

It hurts that he might be upset with me. Makes me want to curl up in a ball and cry.

But Nolan strolls in before I can utter a word.

“Who’s fucking ready to get this…?” He trails off mid-sentence as he kicks the door shut. “Why are you here?”

From what I understand, Nolan rocks the bass. He looks more like a lead singer in a boy band than anything. Spikey blond hair, blue eyes, these crazy full lips that don’t seem like they should belong to a guy, yet they do. He wears a lot of skinny jeans, too, and fitted shirts, more hipster than rock star.

“Wow, hello to you, too,” I joke as I rotate the volume knob on the amp.

He rolls his eyes as he shucks off his jacket then drapes it on a hook near the door. “As much as I adore you, Lyric, I don’t find your sarcasm funny.”

I pull a face. I’ve known Nolan since ninth grade, and while we’re not technically friends, I know him well enough that I can mess around with him. “Yes, you do. Don’t lie.”

He snorts a laugh as he weaves around the sofa to collect his guitar from the corner of the room. “Fine, you’re amusing.” He picks up the guitar and slides the handle over his head. “But seriously, why are you here?”

“Because she’s our new singer,” Sage intervenes as he materializes from the back room with another brownie in his hand.

“Really?” Nolan asks, glancing from Sage to Ayden, then his gaze lands on me. “You decided to follow in your father’s footsteps, then, huh? I’m crossing my fingers you can sing as good as him.”

“Of course I can,” I say confidently, but my stage fright momentarily creeps in and puts the tiniest hint of doubt in me.

“You knew who her father was, too?” Sage asks incredulously as he heads for the amp.

Nolan shrugs. “I thought everyone did.”

“I guess I’m the only idiot out of the loop, then,” Sage mutters as he nibbles on the brownie.

“Are you cool with me being part of the band?” I ask Nolan, because I know enough about bands to understand my initiation will only work if they’re all on the same page.