Page 32 of The Twisted Beats

“It’s okay. I like to look at it like this. The best artists usually die young. Most don’t live past their sixties. That means they hit middle age when they were about thirty, sometimes even younger.”

“I still feel bad for you. That must be hard.”

“It is at times.” He gazes at the ground. “The greatest die early. My pops was the best. I guess that’s why he had wisdom so young.”

“What do you mean?”

“Like many of the greats, he wrote some of the best lyrics in the industry. He was a poetic genius. Everyone I meet tells me so.”

“You’re going to be even better than him someday.” I get up and sit next to Callum.

I inch closer, placing my hand on his thigh. He stares at it for a moment.

“Thanks, Lily.” He glances over and flashes me a rockstar smile. “I’ve wanted to be a musician all my life.”

“And now you are.”

“Yeah, but that means I can’t fuck it up for just one kiss. We have to wait for your parents’ permission, or I’ll lose my lifelong dreams.”

I remove my hand and peek over at my dad. He’s watching me and I know Callum’s right. If I push this right now, my parents will never let me date him.

Callum finishes his s’more. “You know, Lily. Until I cantaste your sweetness, I’m gonna focus on eating these gooey treats, and every time I do, I’ll imagine it’s you on my tongue.”

My eyes round. That was so dirty, but my stomach is doing somersaults and my heart is thrumming.

He chuckles. “I forget you’re fourteen. You’ve probably never had any guy say something like that to you.”

I shake my head because I can’t speak or breathe. He’s talking like he wants to have sex with me. I shift to break away from feeling so…inexperienced.

“My friends talk like that to people they’re dating, so it’s nothing I haven’t heard.” I change the subject. “Why did you decide to call me Lily?”

“Because the second you sucked me into those sky-blue eyes, all I saw was peace and beauty surrounding you. I thought lilies better described you. I’m sure I’ll call you Liv sometimes because I know I’ll never be able to live without you.”

Well, it’s why my entire family calls me that. At least that’s what they tell me, but they’re required to feel that way.

Callum saying it is sweet, but I don’t know how to act, so I laugh instead. “I bet you say things like that to every girl.”

He stares at me with the intensity of a wildfire. “I don’t.”

My heart pitter-patters. Oh, I really like Callum Mayze and I think he might be my undoing. I gaze over at Bren and the adults. He shoves a bite of a s’more into his mouth and strolls into the house.

Good. That gives me more alone time with Callum. I start to turn away, but my mom’s motherly glare lands on me. She shakes her head, takes her two index fingers together, and makes a quick parting movement with them.

Dammit.

She’s telling me to get away from Callum. I roll my eyes and move to the other lounge chair. Maybe Callum’s right and I should have more freedom to do what I want.

I lie on my side and peer over at him. He’s so fine. I thinkhe’s the best-looking guy I’ve ever seen. He’s wearing a black T-shirt and his biceps and chest muscles are stretching the material. Yeah, he’s got a body to match his great looks.

He flashes me a smug smile. “Why are you staring at my chest?”

My cheeks flare white-hot. “I wasn’t.”

“Yes, you were. I caught you.”

I swallow but decide to be daring. “You’re sexy.”

“So are you.” He reclines back, resting on his palms. “I can’t wait to explore every inch of you.”