Chased Dreams (28 page)

Keeping my eyes closed, I focused on each of
the notes, allowing the music to build inside me, my mind
automatically filling in with the musical instruments as though she
were singing with the band right this moment.

Baby, I want you, make no mistake,

Baby, I need you, before my heart
breaks,

Isn’t there something between you and
me?

Something beautiful . . . we could be . .
.

My fingers twitched as I imagined the guitar
solo that would go right there, and I wanted to drag out my guitar
and play as she hummed along with the chords I had written. Her
voice catapulted into the refrain, picking up the increased tempo
perfectly.

Don’t leave me, don’t hate me,

You’re what I need.

Please help me, please save me,

Or I can’t breathe.

I need you, beside me,

So desperately . . .

Something beautiful

Something beautiful

Baby, I want you, make no mistake,

Baby, I need you, before my heart
breaks,

Isn’t there something between you and
me?

Something beautiful . . . we could be . .
.

Baby, I want you, make no mistake,

Baby, I need you, before my heart
breaks,

Isn’t there something between you and
me?

Something beautiful . . .

Something beautiful . . .

Anna’s voice dwindled off at this point and
she paused, leaving the song unfinished. “Is this where you were
having trouble?” she asked.

Opening my eyes, I nodded. “Yeah. I’d
intended to end it right there, but it seems like there is
something missing. What do you think?”

She slid my pencil out of the spiral and
wrote four words.

Baby, I want you . . .

“How about this? Taking it back to that
first line in the chorus and leaving it hanging. I think that
captures the emotion and shows the continued longing that’s
unresolved.”

Her grasp of musical emotion never ceased to
amaze me. “I think you’re absolutely right. Spot on, as usual. I
guess that’s why you’re always packing the house.”

She grinned and bumped my shoulder with
hers. “Whatever. They’re all there to hear your great music,” she
said with a laugh. “And to drool over you, of course. All those
girls think you’re drop dead gorgeous.”

“They do, huh?” I chuckled.

“Like you don’t know. They never stop
staring, and when you flick those bangs back from your eyes, I
swear they swoon on the spot.”

“They do not.”

“Trust me, they do. They all fall prey to
that load of testosterone you’ve got rolling off you. I pay
attention to them. I know.”

I knew what she was saying was true, but I
liked hearing her touting my praises. “And why are you paying
attention exactly?”

“Because they all want a piece of you.”

“And that bothers you?” I waited with baited
breath for her answer.

She shrugged. “Yeah, kinda.”

Elation. “Why?”

She stopped fiddling with the pencil,
dropping it onto the paper and turned to look me square in the eye.
“Because none of them are good enough for you.”

There it was, the sign I’d been hoping
for—only it was too late. I couldn’t do anything about it now. Yet
I still found myself leaning in closer as my eyes drifted down to
her full lips. “And why aren’t they good enough for me, Anna?”

She swallowed thickly, her gaze flickering
hesitantly over my face. “Uh . . .” She hesitated.

“Tell me.” I encouraged her again, moving
still closer.

The door to the loft burst open and Anna and
I broke apart as Rick and Riley stumbled in laughing.

“What are you two doing back already?” I
asked, surprised. “I thought you were having dinner at your
parents’ house tonight.”

“Dad got called in to work so Mom asked if
we’d mind postponing until tomorrow,” Rick replied. “Something
smells good here though.”

“We made dinner together,” Anna said. “Help
yourselves. There should be plenty.”

“Thanks,” Riley replied.

I couldn’t decide if I was incredibly
disappointed or greatly relieved that they’d interrupted. Something
had definitely been happening between us, but I had no business
trying to kiss Anna—ever. However, I couldn’t help feeling robbed
of the moment. I was sure it would’ve been . . . something
beautiful.

Tell Me Why

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