And like a complete idiot, I fell for it.It’s like I was possessed and a demon took over my body.At least, that’s what I’m telling myself.
I stare down at the guitar like it personally betrayed me, my fingers already positioned over the right progression.My hands move like they remember this.
Because they do.
Damn it.
Damnhim.
Joel doesn’t say anything.
He just sits there, all relaxed and smug, like he didn’t just manipulate me into fixing his stupid song.
Like he wasn’t sitting here, ruining music until I had no choice but to intervene.
I grit my teeth, determined to fix this disaster as quickly as possible.
Because that’s the only reason I’m doing this.
For themusic.
Not for him.
I shift on the couch, fingers plucking out the melody, smoothing it into something natural.Something right.
Joel hums along, nodding slightly.“Better.”
I shoot him a glare.“Obviously.”
His lips twitch.
Damn it.
I walked right into that.
I curse under my breath and strum again, deliberately focusing only on the frets, the strings—noton the way he’s watching me.Or the fact that his knee just barely brushes against mine.
Nope.
Not noticing thatat all.
I shift slightly, just to see if he moves away.
He doesn’t.
Great.
Now I have to commit to sitting exactly like this, or he’ll know he’s getting to me.
Joel taps his fingers against his knees, following my rhythm like it’s second nature.
Like we’ve done this a thousand times before.I mean, I guess we have.
Before.
A memory tries to slip in?—
I slam the door shut.