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“You mean despite it.” She flounced out.
“It’s embarrassing how she fawns over me.” Kellan rummaged through a drawer for a pad and pencil, then set his latest model iPhone on a stand. Lyrics scrolled by on the screen. At least he’d come to play ball.
Me? I’d come to eat. Obviously.
“So, this is just a project to keep you busy while you’re away from the band.”
“No.”
“Then?”
I expected sarcasm in return but he dipped back his head. “Guess I want to see who I am outside of the group. If I still have anything worthwhile to say.”
Sadly, I took a bolstering sip of the rich brew and set aside the remaining scones. Then I took out my phone and found my recording app. “So, let’s see what we have.”
We put in a couple of hours—with Kellan on his guitar and some lyrics he’d been working on, and me at the board experimenting with different sounds and elements to complement what he’d come up with. We’d finally started getting somewhere when Maggie appeared in the doorway in her coat and scarf with her surprisingly quiet son in her arms. His cheeks were bright red. Unnaturally so.
“I have to take him to urgent care. He’s so hot, Kel.” The baby leaned his head on his mother’s shoulder. He looked so miserable that even my chest squeezed.
Kellan was on his feet in an instant. “I’m coming too.”
“No, no, you have work—”
“Work can wait.” Kellan set down his guitar and glanced at me. “I’m sorry, man. I know you came all this way and how in demand you are, but I have to be with my son and my wife.” He blew out a breath. “We were really sounding good though, and you actually gave me some ideas for where to go with this song. If you can’t extend your trip, I understand. And I appreciate all you’ve done for me so far.” He stuck out his hand.
I stared at it, shaking my head as I rose. “You must take me for a real tosser.”
Kellan drew back his hand. “Say what?”
“Your son is sick. Your woman needs you. All of this,” I gestured at the sweet mixing board I hadn’t gotten nearly enough time to play with, “can wait.”
“You’ll extend your trip?”
“I can’t do that.” Although it troubled me how much a part of me desperately wanted to. And probably not because of Kellan.
Maybe I was a tosser.
“Oh.” Kellan tried to keep his face expressionless, but he didn’t quite achieve it. “Understandable. You’re in hot demand.”
“Keep talking like that, you’ll swell my head. I’m busy, yes, but I’ll be back. Once your boy is on the mend, we’ll figure out a date.”
I wasn’t thinking about seeing Ivy again. A one-night stand was plenty.
Liar.
“Thanks, man. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.” Kellan pulled me into a quick hug. He nearly dislocated both my shoulders from his grip, but I maintained my cool and patted his back before he moved away.
The air tasted sweet as it again flowed into my compromised lungs.
“No problem. Working with you was fun. We’re on our way to creating a hit.” I drained the last of my cold coffee and pocketed the rest of the scones without shame. I’d eat them in the car if need be.
Drowning my sorrows in cookies as I drove back to my most certainly empty room at the bed and breakfast? Maybe. It seemed like a noble cause.
“Thank you for your delicacies and for sharing your home, Maggie. And I hope your baby is well soon.” I leaned in to give Maggie a hug, shocked into silence when she cupped my face and kissed my cheek.
“You’re welcome here anytime. I’m sorry your plans were messed up. Next time, it’ll be spring and this one will be better. Right, little man?” Her voice was cheerful as she jiggled her son in her arms, but there was no missing the fear pinching her mouth.
My chest squeezed again as Wolf knuckled his eyes and tried to smile. It was probably gas, but the gesture touched me almost as much as his mother’s kindness.
