Page 258 of End Game

“I think it emotionally plateaus.”

I bite the inside of my cheek.

Austin looks almost delighted. “Okay.”

“I also hate the last two lines.”

“Good morning to you too.”

“They're too neat.”

“That I disagree with.”

Dex shrugs. “Then you're wrong.”

The room goes quiet.

Austin stares at him.

Dex apparently realizes what he just said.

He does not take it back.

Austin starts laughing. “Come hear it.”

And just like that, Dex is gone.

Physically, yes. But also… the man who spent the entire flight talking because silence gave his nerves room disappears the second the track begins.

He listens.

Really listens.

Head tilted slightly.

Eyes narrowed.

Fingers tapping against his thigh.

When the bridge arrives, his mouth tightens like the song personally insulted him.

Micah notices me watching him.

“You knew,” I whisper.

“Yeah.”

“How have I never seen this?”

“You've seen pieces.”

Austin plays the bridge again.

Dex shakes his head. “It's not the chord progression by itself.”

“I know.”

“You resolve too early.”