Page 82 of These Wicked Hearts

I’ll be chasing

Right here facing

Whatever you want me to

Because all I think of is youu, youu

I just think of youu.

I hum along to the soft flowing rhythm with enough beat to make it sound poppy. A lot different than the normal rock edge of our Riot Heart songs. I listen and still hear him breathing softly.

When the night is over and there’s nowhere to run

When the light from your eyes is more than enough

I’ll think of you, I’ll think of you.

I don’t know the rest and I’m still working on the lyrics. I just can’t keep the night we met out of my mind. It was supposed to be simple, but this is as close to peace as I’ve felt in my entire life.

“Atlas?” I whisper but smile when I hear the unmistakable sounds of his snores. “Are you asleep?” I’m met with more rumbling. “Atlas?”

I play gently, trying to work out the chords with the sounds of his sleep keeping me company for another minute. I swallow hard.

“I think I made a mistake, Atlas.” I say softly. “I don’t think I want to be strangers with you.”

I listen to him for a moment more before deciding to hang up.

“Good night.”

I erase the line I just wrote, frustration starting to sink in.

But I’ve written most of it, which is way more than I’ve done in months.

Best of all, this song is for me. It’s not for anyone else. I don’t plan to put it on an album or sing it for a crowd. It takes the pressure off, knowing I don’t have to impress anyone. It’s just for me.

I should probably go to sleep soon. Chen’s coming over in the morning so we can shop before Atlas comes home tomorrow night. I don’t know if he’ll come straight here or crash back at his place.

Just as I think it my phone lights up.

“Hey.”

“You sound awake.”

“I am.” Atlas texted me again this morning after we talked last night. I’ve written down the lyrics since then but I’m still a bit stuck. “I stayed up.”

“For little ole me? You’re so obsessed.”

“Shut up.” I snort. “You were a disaster tonight. What’s going on?”

“A disaster? Excuse me I played⁠—”

“Horribly.”

“Horribly, I know. I’m surprised Coach hasn’t grabbed me by the neck to shake loose whatever money they gave me in my contract.”

“I hope you were cheap.”

“Ouch. Fuck, my ego, Gage.”