Chapter 31
On That Note
Reminisce
I’m so excited.Bishop has invited me and Knight over to listen to him and the band record a new song. I was a bit surprised at first, but totally on board because I love hanging out at my sister’s.
Besides, Bishop’s music has grown on me. This is sure to be a great night. The gang will be getting together for a cookout later after the band lays down this new song.
I walk into the basement studio and find my sister sitting in the control room with a huge smile on her face. She’s glowing with it. I walk over to the couch where she is as she stands to hug me.
“What’s that shit-eating grin about?” I ask as I embrace her tightly in my arms and kiss her on the cheek.
I get the feeling Bishop is writing another album for Saga. I think it’s so romantic that she inspires his music. The results are always amazing.
It seems like they’ve grown closer over the last few weeks after the misunderstanding. I’m so happy they worked things out. They were made for each other.
Saga and Bishop give me hope for the future. I can only hope to have a love like theirs someday.
“Bishop and Jag fired Fiona this morning,” Saga says with a face splitting smile.
I still can’t believe that woman tried to come between them even as Bishop showed no interest. Some people just don’t get it. This is great news.
“But I thought the label was pushing back against him firing her.”
“They were. Jag came through. He told the label the band would walk and put the album out independently if they didn’t allow them to let her go. I guess they weren’t willing to lose their cash cow.
“Their back catalog alone still brings in a fortune. The fans have been begging for something new. It could be total trash, but they’ll still kill sales the first few weeks. That’s a lot of money to let go of for some disrespectful, homewrecking hoe.”
“Did you guys find out where she got the information from?”
I’ve been racking my brain with this question. I knew from the time she told me what was going on that Bishop didn’t tell that heifer a damn thing. She’s a lying bitch if you ask me.
“Yeah, we did. Dwayne stumbled upon the answer to that. He was reviewing the cameras to find out how I got away from Edward that day I came to see you. She had been standing outside Bishop’s office while we were inside talking. Turns out that wasn’t the first time.
“He went back and found her eavesdropping a few times like that. She must have heard us discussing it privately at some point. That was the last straw for Bishop.
“Once Dwayne told him what he found, the label could have backed out and this album could have been shelved for all he cared.”
I sit with my mouth hanging open. That’s so ballsy. The nerve.
“Wow, this has been one stressful month for you,” I say as I reach to cover her hand.
Her face breaks into a bigger smile. I tilt my head and study her. There’s something more to that smile.
“It has, but there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.”
“Okay, spill. What aren’t you saying?”
I can feel the joy bouncing off her. Whatever is going on with her, she’s super happy about it. I know she’s happy to have that woman out of her life, but there’s something else big going on.
“Oh, did I forget to mention they fired her right after I took a positive pregnancy test? We’re having another baby.”
I squeal and pull her into a tight hug. My heart is so full for my sister. Tears sting the backs of my eyes.
“I’m so happy for you. I knew it was going to happen.”
“Thanks to you and Bishop,” she chokes out.
“I don’t think I had anything to do with it. This was all your husband,” I laugh.
“That spa vacation was just what I needed. Between you and Bishop helping me to relax, my body was able to do what it needed to.”
“Aww, I’m happy we got to spend that time together. I’m getting another stink bug or two. That trip was fun, even if Sunny did try to drive us crazy with her wedding planning.”
Saga bursts out laughing. We had a lot of fun on that trip, but Sunny was driving us crazy. I had to take some time to allow her to get it all out.
When she realized she was making the trip about her, she was profusely apologetic. We didn’t hold it against her, in fact, we ribbed her about it for the remainder of the trip. The funniest part was that Isha looked as if she was going to strangle her before I intervened.
That trip gave me time to clear my head as well. Although when I returned home, Knight and I couldn’t keep our hands off each other. I felt how much he missed me, and I showed him how much I missed him. We’ve been inseparable since.
“We have to do it again. It was fun. I’ll even help with the wedding planning,” Saga says through her laughter.
“Maybe we should throw her bridal shower there. That way the planning will be done by then.”
“Like she’s not going to worry and agonize over the wedding itself, but that sounds good.”
“Hey,” Knight whispers in my ear as he walks up behind me.
I look over my shoulder at him. He gives me a smile and dips his head to peck my lips. He then kisses my temple, lingering for a moment.
I get the feeling he’s trying to tell me something without saying words. I look into his eyes searching for answers to the unspoken words. However, the band comes in and files into the booth, signaling we need to take our seats.
Knight sits and tugs me into his lap. Saga sits beside us. I watch as the band gets settled inside the booth. The engineer takes his place at the board and waits for the guys to give the signal that they’re warmed up and ready to begin recording.
The anticipation in the room is thick. I can only imagine how Saga feels as she waits to hear what her husband has come up with this time. She’s his biggest fan, so I can only imagine he doesn’t want to disappoint her.
I look into the booth and find Bishop with his guitar in his hands as he watches Saga with an intense look on his face. If she weren’t already pregnant, I think that look would do the trick all by itself. That man doesn’t play about my sister.
He proves that fact every single day more and more. I turn to look over my shoulder at Knight. I knit my brows as he gives me a similar look. A shiver runs through me, causing me to turn away quickly.
“You guys ready to go,” the engineer presses the button and says to the band.
They give him the thumbs-up. Thrush begins to drum, then Bop joins in with his rhythm guitar after a few beats. I already like the tune. It’s sweet but a bite sexy too.
Then Bishop begins to sing with his melodic voice. My heart is all in. His voice is captivating, but it’s the words coming out of his mouth that have me sitting forward and hanging onto every word. My heart squeezes with each bar he sings.
The world is filled with delusions of love
But that has nothing to do with us
When I say I love you, you feel it
My love is something you can breathe
It will never fail or cause you grief?—
You’re my one religion, my only belief
Because without you this world is filled with dark nothings
So let me be clear about something
The chorus starts and my heart is pounding as Knight has tightened his hold on me and buried his face in my neck. I feel the hook in my soul. Thrush drums between each run causing the words to sink in that much deeper.
When you hurt?—
I hurt?—
I could never be, never be, never be
The cause of your pain
Cause if you’re hurt?—
Then I’m hurt?—
And we’re nothing we’re meant to be to this world
I love you more than words could say
Do you hear me?—
Do you know?—
When you hurt?—
I hurt?—
This song is amazing. I look to Saga, finding her with tears streaming down her face. She nods at Bishop as if to let him know she hears and understands his words.
“I don’t know how I let her get in my head,” Saga sobs.
“Oh, honey. You had a lot going on,” I say to my sister. “He’s just reminding you that he’s here for you and his love hasn’t gone away.”
“He’s not just speaking for himself,” Knight whispers in my ear.
I stiffen in his hold. I’m not ready to go there right now. I’m almost there, I’m healing and getting there, but I’m not there yet. I know I’m not.
* * *
Knight
I didn’t tellRem that Bishop wrote that song after we had a talk about how I feel about Reminisce. It was his idea for us to be here when it was recorded. Yes, the song is partly for Saga, but it’s also about my feelings for Rem.
I get that she’s still not ready. However, I know it’s time I push a little more. I’ve been saying the words without saying them for weeks now.
“Do you know you look at her like she’s already naked and offering herself to you?” Prince says as he hands me a beer and sits next to me.
I look at him and pull a face. “Should you be worried about me? Don’t you have your own shit to focus on?” I shoot back.
He throws his hands up still holding his own beer in one. I roll my eyes and turn my attention back to Rem standing with Saga and Isha. She has her head thrown back as she laughs at something one of them has said.
I’m trying my best not to smother her, when all I want is to be over there with my arms wrapped around her. Our connection has grown, I can feel it. I’ve come so close to telling her I love her.
My fear is that the words will trigger her and I’ll lose her for good this time. It’s not a risk I’m ready to take. Not when I can feel us getting closer to where I want us to be.
“I meant to say thank you,” Prince says interrupting my thoughts again.
I turn to look at him. He looks tired. Like he’s been up painting for weeks.
Prince is much like Bishop when a muse hits. However, I can’t tell who the muse is this time. Although, I think I can take a guess at it. They both are.
“You’re welcome. Let me know if you need anything else,” I reply.
“I will. I owe you. Let me know how I can repay you.”
“We’re good. You’re my brother. You don’t owe me anything.”
“Nah, this time I do. Ask and I’ve got you.”
I nod. “Okay, if you insist. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“He’s going to do another album all about Saga, isn’t he?”
I chew on the inside of my cheek. I don’t know if I should tell him what I know. Bishop is pulling from everyone around him.
I shrug. “Sort of,” I say and down the rest of my beer.
At the end of the day, it’s always about Saga anyway. I won’t take that from her. I decide to keep this to myself.
“I can only hope my shit turns into that,” Prince murmurs almost so low I don’t hear him.
Me too.