“Are you sure you want to do this?” Ayden asks me as we prepare to go in and sing the song we wrote. “Because you can always back out.”

“No way am I about to back out on one of my dreams.” I plant my butt on the stool and put my headphones on, motioning Ayden to do the same.

He nervously sits down, slides on a set of headphones, and situates his guitar on his lap. I collect my guitar and get comfortable, disregarding Sage and Nolan gawking at us through the window.

“Ready?” My dad’s voice floats through the speakers.

Ayden’s been extremely jumpy around my dad, ever since I belted out that we were in love, and he flinches at the sound of my dad’s voice. I don’t know why he’s acting all squirrely. No one has brought up our love declaration, except for my mom and she seemed pretty happy about it.

“I’m so glad you can just say it like that,” she said to me as she worked on a painting in her studio at our house. “I had such a hard time expressing my emotions when I was younger.”

“Really?” I was shocked because, for as long as I could remember, her and my dad have been happy and in love and not afraid to show the world.

She set the paintbrush down, nodding. “I had a lot of problems when I was younger. Thankfully, your dad stuck with me while I worked through them.”

I couldn’t help but think of Ayden and myself. He struggles sometimes with his emotions, but I’ll never, ever give up on him. I want him. Forever.

I blink back to reality and lock eyes with Ayden. “Are you ready?”

He nods, his gaze fused to mine. “Whenever you are.”

“We’re ready whenever you are, daddy-o,” I say through the microphone.

My dad gives me the go ahead, and I strum the first chord. Ayden follows my lead, and we play a few more chords, completely in sync, before I open my mouth and pour out my soul to the microphone.

“I never knew it could be like this, never thought such desire was possible, kissing the air from his lungs.” My heart hammers in my chest. “And the heavens rain stars down on us, pieces of shimmering gold around us, pouring warmth all over us. Kiss me until I can no longer breathe. Raveling me up with you until I can hardly think. God, please fucking kiss me before I crumble to pieces.”

We strum a few more chords, keeping the beat soft until it’s Ayden’s turn to come in. He summons a breath then opens his mouth and kisses the world with the beautiful sound of his voice.

“You make me weak. You make me strong. You make me ache. You make me feel so wrong. You make me burn for just a taste.” His gaze burns into me, scorches my soul. “You make me, make me, so fucking insane. I can’t stand it anymore. I want you all the time. It’s always on my fucking mind. Please, just let me have you. God, please just say yes.”

I nod. I don’t even know why, other than I want him to have me.

He keeps his eyes on me until the song is finished.

I’m so riled up, I’m actually sweating.

My dad walks in, but I barely register what he’s saying. I’m too caught up in Ayden, the sound of his voice, singing with him, singing one of our songs.

“You guys did a great job.” My dad congratulates us with a huge-ass smile on his face. “Seriously, I’m not really a fan of duets, but that was pretty amazing.”

“Thanks, Dad,” I say, my gaze never wavering from Ayden.

My dad says a handful of other things about coming back in next week, but I hardly hear a word.

“Lyric, did you hear me?” my dad asks, looking at me with concern.

I blink my attention from Ayden and attempt to focus on my dad. “Nope. What’s up?”

He sighs, sinking into a stool. “I asked if you want me to drive you home.”

“We can just drive ourselves,” I say as I slide off the stool to put my guitar in the case. “I know you have stuff to do.”

“I’d rather you not drive home alone,” he replies, crossing his arms. “It’s late.”

“I thought you had a meeting,” I remind him. “That’s what your secretary said when we came in here. And we won’t be all alone. The officer will be following us.”

“Yeah, I know.” He frowns, actually pouting. “I forgot about the meeting. I wanted to take you out for ice cream or something.”

“You can do it tomorrow,” I suggest as I lock up my guitar case. “I can even clear my super busy schedule, just for you.”

That cheers him up. “All right. I’ll think of something fun to do.” He turns to Ayden. “You can come too, if you want.”