When I saw the headlights of her truck pull in behind me, I got out of the car.
“Hey, you,” she said as she started toward me. “What are you doing here? I didn’t think I’d be seeing you till tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I know.” I slid my arms around her waist and pulled her close, kissing her forehead. “I couldn’t wait.”
She narrowed her eyes up at me. “Everything okay?”
I pushed my hand through my hair and rubbed my hand across the back of my neck.
“Yeah. I just…I wrote a new song, and I want to play it for you.”
“Oh really?” Her face lit up, turning on all the lights inside my heart. “Well, I can’t wait to hear it. Come on up.”
She started toward the stairs, and I grabbed my guitar from the back seat, blowing out a breath. I followed her inside and set my case down by the couch as the cats came slinking out of the bedroom to say hello. Binx meowed and circled my legs where I sat.
“Hey, guys.” I leaned down and gave them scratches on the head before picking up Earl Grey, holding him like the giant baby he was.
McKenzie set her bag on the counter and joined me. “You and that cat.” She laughed.
“What?” I asked. “He’s my buddy.”
“I know, and it’s adorable,” she said, folding her legs beneath her. “Okay, I’m dying to hear this song.”
I placed Earl Grey on the back of the couch and got my guitar out of the case, positioning it on my knee.
“We actually laid this one down at the studio today.” I fumbled for my pick with trembling fingers and dropped it. “Fuck,” I muttered, grabbing for it.
“Are you all right?” McKenzie furrowed her brows. “You seem nervous.”
My throat was dry as though I’d eaten an entire sleeve of crackers without a single sip of water.
“Yeah,” I lied. “I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?” she asked while Binx hopped on the back of the couch to join Earl Grey. “You know you can tell me if something’s bothering you, right?”
“I know.” My voice was barely above a whisper as I reached for her hand, giving it a squeeze. “I just…I need you to listen to this song.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
I released a shaky breath, centering myself before I closed my eyes and began to play the soft, tender melody. Then, I began to sing.
“Don’t have to wipe my feet on the mat
You don’t care where I’ve been
You let me track in all my dirt
Leaving my sins all over your den
Never one for empty platitudes
No ‘take it on the chin’
You’re the warmth in my cup of coffee
Even when I burn like your shot of gin
You make me feel like coming home
