It's just my ears and the music.
"Play it again," I demand.
He does.
"It's fucking perfect."
"I know." He nods to the drum kit.
The man doesn't have to ask twice. I pick up my sticks, slide behind the drums, and I start playing.
The old drum line doesn't sound right. This new riff is harder, moodier.
I let my hands take over. They tap out a new beat. That one isn't quite right. I try another. Another. Another dozen.
There.
A buzz fills my body. There's nothing like writing a song, getting every element working together.
I nod to Mal. He nods back. We play the entire fucking song. It's the same chord progression for the chorus. The same breakdown. The same outro. But with the new riff, it's perfect.
We play it again and again, adjusting our parts a little every time. I'm dripping with sweat and my shoulders are aching, but nothing is going to stop me from finishing this.
This is where I belong.
I'm so lost in the song, I don't notice Bella come in. She's in jeans and a cardigan. Her hair is pulled into a loose bun. Those hipster librarian glasses are fr
aming her eyes.
Fuck, she looks good all prim and proper and corruptible.
"Sorry, angel. You know I can't keep it down," I tease.
She smiles and tilts her head to one side. It's like she's analyzing my words. She knows I'm stepping into that Joel Young, life of the party role.
Mal looks to me and cocks a brow. Really, angel?
I shrug.
"Flirt after you introduce me." He turns to Bella. "Malcolm Strong but everyone calls me Mal."
"Bella Chase." She moves forward to shake his hand. "I'm going to sit in the corner and watch. Or maybe just listen." She holds up her e-reader with her left hand. "I have plenty to entertain myself."
"What are you reading?" Mal asks.
Her eyes meet mine. She winks. "Something about the power of phallic imagery."
"Any chance you play the bass?" he asks.
She shakes her head. "I don't even know what the difference between a bass and a guitar is."
Mal motions to me. Come on.
Okay. I see his game.
This will be fun.
I push off my drum kit. "You want to learn?"