Chasing the Music: For the Love of Music Book 0.5 Read Free Page A

after her day.
    “I’m going to go to the living room.” Bridget stood and tapped Lita’s thermostat. “Text me if you need anything. Apelu is in one adjoining room. I’m in the other.”
    “And I’m up the hall,” Dave said.
    Lita convulsed in another shiver. Maybe a hot shower. “You’re both a phone call away. I’m not a child,” she pouted, immediately realizing how stupid she sounded.
    The door closed behind them and Lita tugged the blankets more tightly around her, pulling her knees to her chest. Being “herself” shouldn’t be so exhausting.
    She let her eyes fall closed and thought about her tour schedule. Yes, it wasn’t as rigorous as what she’d done in the past, but it was longer. They were taking months, doing shows practically everywhere . It had better be worth it.

 
    Three
     
    The live music blasted into Griffin’s ears, and the drummer kept slipping off the rhythm. Not the best group he’d seen with Stacy at the local bar.
    Tell her. Tell her now. Or now. Or now.
    Stacy set a beer down on the table in front of him. He was twenty, but usually managed to slip into bars. Stacy was a year older and always bought the drinks. He was twenty-one soon, but for now, he still relied on her.
    “I’m so glad you wanted to go out tonight.” She pecked his cheek. “I was tired of staying in.”
    Griffin tried on a smile. “Come on.” He nudged her shoulder. “What about the girls from beauty school or the salon?”
    Her lips pursed together and she shrugged. He got it. A lot of guys hadn’t been nice to her in school, and as a result, a lot of girls were awful to her as well. Small town. Big rumors. They lived in a place with beauty schools that were still called beauty schools. And he was thinking of leaving it all behind for a few blissful months. His eyes connected with Stacy’s again, and he wondered if he’d be able to leave when it was time.
    “You’re way better than them!” she yelled over the music gesturing to the band.
    He was.
    It was an asshole thing to think, much less say, but the third band up on open mic night was even worse than the first two. Griffin just shrugged in response.
    “Why didn’t you sign up?” Stacy asked as she sidled next to him, resting her small chin on his shoulder.
    Griffin planted a quick kiss on her forehead. “Wasn’t sure if I’d make it on time tonight.”
    That was a lie. He knew he’d make it on time. But what was the point? If he was well liked for his music, he might feel even more tied to Taylorsville instead of chasing after the music career that probably wouldn’t happen. Feeling like he could have a life elsewhere wasn’t going to help whatever had shifted him further from Stacy.
    The few months away would help.
    Her small lips brushed against his earlobe before sucking it into her mouth. He used to love that. The second her lips touched his ear or his neck he’d wanted to rip off her clothes. He picked at the label on his beer.
    Band number three finished, and the fourth was setting up.
    “I’m tired,” he lied. “Can we go after I finish this?”
    Stacy sat back, her preened brows pulling together. “You okay, baby?”
    He tightened his jaw to hold in the scream that tried to shove its way out from nowhere. “I’m great. Just tired.”
    She blinked a few times and then nodded slowly. “Sure. Whatever you want.”
    He knew she didn’t completely believe him. He also knew she wouldn’t call him on it, and for that, he was infinitely grateful.
     
     
    Another night without sleep.
    The thin sheet felt stifling, and it was only April. Griffin blinked, tried to force his eyes closed, but being stuck between Stacy and the wall only worked when the air conditioning was on. She didn’t normally crash at his place night after night, and now she was. Not sleeping was starting to get old.
    He stared at the wall where the last three guitars he’d found at pawnshops, and given new life to, rested. He thought about all the