Page 24

Without much more hesitation, I start playing, coaxing my hand’s memories to life, opening with a slow melody, and then I start to sing.

We were a storm destined to collide

You were a story I had to write

Between the pages filled with ink, and the wild skies filled with thunder

You became my safe place to hide, so way up high,

Because we simply existed under the same sky

But I was so wrong to believe

That you’d stay and never leave

And I was so wrong to believe

That you’d always be there for me

It’s been a few years now, and I’ve wondered where you are

Thought about the moments and the laughter we shared under the stars

I wanted to see it all through your eyes, see the world from way up high

Until I remembered that you’d left me behind

But I was so wrong to believe

That you’d stay and never leave

And I was so wrong to believe

That you’d always be there for me

Time has passed, and we’re strangers now

I made it without you, somehow

And now I see the storm we were meant to be,

Why you meant so much to me

Because when two stars collide, so way up high,

They always crash and burn and fall in love,

When they’re under the same sky

The words blend with each lick, each melody, bringing a part of me back to life that I’d shut off years ago. Everyone else falls away, and I lose myself to the moment, wholly aware that I’m vulnerable, but enjoying the feel of the music dancing through my hands too much to really care. When I’m done, I find six sets of eyes on me, and five mouths agape. Thorin gives nothing away, but I see it in his eyes. There’s no mistaking the song is about him, but he shouldn’t get it confused with it being for him. I wrote it for me, and I’m actually surprised it’s the first song that popped into my head. I can’t even remember writing it, just that it was cathartic at the time.

“Uh,” Carson looks at my like I’ve grown a second head. “What the hell, Reese?”

“What the hell is right,” Fletch adds. “That was…” He shakes his head, almost as if he can’t believe it’s me.

“Fucking awesome,” Benji finishes, his toothy grin wide. “You write that?”

I nod. “I did, when I was in college.”