Page 7 of These Wicked Hearts

“You’re here,” I add. “You’re hot. We both know I’m hot.”

“You’re insane is what you are.” He shakes his head.

“Yeah,” I say. “Probably.”

Silence stretches between us. He looks at me and it’s like he’s fighting the urge to give me what I want. Then finally, he shakes his head. “Your place,” he says at last. “Not mine.”

Relief sparks quickly in my chest. Yes! I am awesome. “Deal.”

Slowly, he walks closer and stops with only a couple of inches between us. This close, I realize just how handsome he really is. Dark eyes, dark brows, and that shock of blue hair. He’s got some scruff on his face like he hasn’t shaved in a few days. “What if I told you I want to top?”

I suck my teeth letting my gaze drag over him like I’m thinking about this critically instead of letting a desperate yes please fly from my lips.

“And what if I told you I’d really like that?”

Something in him eases. Not much, but enough to notice. “Okay.” A slow grin spreads across his lips, making me want to lean in and get a quick preview now. “Do you at least want my first name?” His head tilts as he watches me now.

“Why?”

The corner of his mouth lifts. “So you know what to scream later.”

TWO

Gage

I stand near the window, looking out at the city. How am I here right now!? I can’t believe it. I shove my hands into my jean pockets. My body is starting to thaw. My jacket’s a bit too thin for the bitter winter air. It’s the only one I have right now, though.

This is my second meeting with Jim from Crownline Records. I haven’t told the guys yet; I don’t want to get their hopes up. We’ve had other labels interested, but when it came down to it they all passed.

Behind Jim, I can see records plated and hung on the wall. “You’ve got something not many people do.”

“Really?”

Jim nods. “That demo.” He smiles, pacing a bit around his office. “It’s raw. Your music is powerful. Those lyrics are haunting and beautiful. There’s so much heart in it. So much feeling.” He taps his fingers on his desk. “The thing is, talent doesn’t keep you fed, does it?”

I watch him pace around the room. We have two nights left at the motel and then it’s back onto the streets. As it is, I used the money I was going to spend on food for myself to pay for another night. Jesper is fighting a cold right now, and the last thing we need is to be out in the cold. It’s supposed to be in the single digits this weekend.

“I want to sign you,” he says finally.

My eyes widen. I’ve dreamt of those words for years now, but I’m not sure why I don’t feel the excitement I thought I would. There’s something heavy sitting in my stomach, and I don’t know what it is or why it’s there.

“Are you serious?”

Jim nods, walking to the front of his desk, folding his arms and leaning against it. “There’s just one thing I need from you.”

“What? I’ll do anything. We’ll work hard, you don’t understand. We want this.” Maybe showing my desperation isn’t a smart idea, but we need this.

“I just need to know you’re serious about this.” Jim says. “About your commitment to this band, to the music.”

“I am serious. I want this! I’ll do anything. We will work so hard.” I swallow the desperation in my tone.

Jim lifts off his desk and walks to his door, locking it. Slowly he turns to me. It’s like the room shrinks. The unnamed heaviness pushes down around me. Jim walks over to me slowly, standing so close it takes everything in me not to step back.

I feel my stomach drop, my limbs grow cold.

Jim’s fingers lift to brush my cheek, a slow smile spreading across his lips. “Then, Gage, I’m going to need you to show me how serious you are about this.”

My phone vibrates again, and I think about just setting it on silent. Or on fire. Or throwing it off my balcony. Not that any of that will help. If I don’t answer him soon, I know he’ll end up here anyway. It’s been a while I think. Months maybe? I’m not sure. I try hard to block out the times Jim finds his way to my apartment.