AllFreeNovel
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I don’t have the same luxury. Hayes is a slave driver—okay, that’s a lie, he’s dedicated and there’s a difference. We are too. We want nothing more than to get this album out.
I look at her a little while longer, noting the way her dark lashes brush the curve of her cheek. How she makes a small noise at whatever she’s dreaming. She gives a small sigh and turns her head the other way.
Taking that as my cue, I get out of bed and shower before dressing for the day. It’s cold as fuck out now so I tug a sweatshirt over my t-shirt and add a beanie for good measure. Living in L.A. for the last few years I’m not used to this kind of cold.
It’s funny how I’ve basically moved into her place. She didn’t ask me to, but it happened gradually. A toothbrush here, a t-shirt there, until most of my things slowly left the hotel and found their new home in my very own drawer. I spend most of my time here anyway.
I feel bad leaving the guys at the hotel, but not bad enough to take time away from Mia.
It already scares me thinking about going back to L.A. and leaving her here. She has school, a job, a life, just like I have one there, and I can’t ask her to abandon that. I don’t expect her to.
Long distance sounds like fucking torture but for her, I’ll do it. I’ll do anything. If I have to have my ass on a plane every weekend to see her, I will. She’s worth it.
I haven’t talked to her about this yet, after all we’ll be here for a while yet. But it is something we’ll have to talk about eventually.
I find a piece of paper and write her a note.
Gone to the hotel and then the studio.
I’ll be waiting for my muse.
-H
I leave it on the pillow I use and then kiss her forehead before I go. I’ll stop by the hotel first to catch up with the guys some and that way we’ll arrive at the studio together.
I slip outside and into the chilly air, walking the few blocks to the hotel.
I slow down when I see Hayes unlocking the door to the studio. I silently curse the fact that the studio is on the same street as our hotel.
There’s nowhere for me to hide so I pray he doesn’t see me.
No such luck.
He looks up as he opens the door and smiles in greeting.
“Morning Hollis. You’re out early and … why are you coming from that way?”
Why are you coming from that direction? Huh, Hollis? Any other reason except you’re fucking his daughter?
“I … um … decided to go for a walk,” I lie. “It helps clear my head and I thought maybe I’d come into the studio early.”
“Oh, okay,” he says. “Well, get in here it’s freezing.” His breath fogs the air as he speaks.
I do as he says, breathing a sigh of relief my excuse was believable.
“Will the other guys be here soon?”
“No idea,” I answer honestly. “I left a while ago.”
I mean, it’s not atotallie. I did leave the hotel a while ago.
“We can start with you first this morning,” he says, turning on lights as he moves through the studio.
I take off my beanie, leaving my sweatshirt on for now, and head into the booth when he’s ready.
Once I’m seated behind the microphone I feel at peace. I’ve always felt most comfortable with a mic in front of me.
I’ve never had stage fright like some people. I love singing. I love entertaining.
