Chapter 32 #2
“But I don’t have any,” I try to object. But he’s already turned around again and disappears into the house after Colin.
“You’re committed,” Beck says with a grin. “You’re one of us now.”
It’s just a few words, but they’re enough to make a lump in my throat. Beck sounded so sincere, like he really meant it. As if all at once, I actually belong.
“Hey.” Easton’s quiet voice makes me turn. His gaze is curious and a little worried. “Everything okay?”
“Yes, I . . .” I swallow hard. “I just didn’t expect that.
” I stop again, not knowing how to put what I’m feeling into words.
But I guess Easton understands what’s going on in my head, because the corners of his mouth twitch and he smiles before stopping and pulling me in for a tender kiss.
It’s different from the kiss we shared earlier in the little alley behind the studio.
Different from our first kiss in his room.
Much shorter, less hungry, less desperate, but no less intense.
“Beck is right, for once,” he says and looks down at me. “You belong here.”
You belong with me.
He doesn’t say it, but I can see what he’s thinking.
“Yes,” I murmur, thinking the same thing.
And you belong with me.
I want to say it, but I can’t get the words out. I have no idea why.
“Guys, please come inside so Colin can get something to eat.” Jax appears in the doorway, drumming his fingers impatiently against the wood, and the moment is gone. “You’ll have all night to yourselves.”
“You’re all so annoying today,” Easton says, rolling his eyes. But I think Jax knows as well as I do that he doesn’t mean it. Not really, anyway. Maybe just a little. After all, Jax did pick a bad time to show up.
“We’re hungry, come on.”
“Let’s go,” I say, smiling. I pull Easton up the stairs and into the house. Colin and Beck are already on the sofa, hunched over a phone, scrolling through some food delivery app.
Easton sinks into one of the big armchairs, wraps an arm around my waist, and pulls me into his lap. It’s strange how right it feels. Just a few hours and everything has changed.
“So what’s your choreography going to be like?” Jax asks, getting back to the subject that I’d really rather ignore right now.
“It’s not anything yet. I still have to figure it out. All I know is it’ll be a dance set to your song.”
“Our song,” Easton corrects me, and I have to smile again.
“Yes.”
“Like in a music video?” Jax’s eyes light up with excitement, and Beck lets out an incredulous laugh.
“You’re not serious.”
“What?” I ask. I must have missed something.
“Jax has dumb ideas,” Colin says. He’s tapping away at his phone. Probably texting his girlfriend. Easton told me about Emma, about their long-distance relationship and how difficult it is for them sometimes.
“I have brilliant ideas.”
“You don’t.” Easton sighs behind me, his breath brushing warmly against my neck. I get goose bumps and snuggle closer to his chest. I can feel his heart beating against my back.
“Can someone fill me in?” I look questioningly from one to the other.
“I just thought . . . since we’ve already recorded the song and you’re working on the choreography . . . maybe we could do something with it.”
I blink, and then I understand what he’s getting at. “So you’re suggesting we shoot a music video?”
He shrugs and grins. “Why not?”
“Maybe because we can’t afford it?” Colin points out, while I just sit silently, my gaze jumping between the boys.
My head is suddenly way too full and at the same time terribly empty. A music video. With our song and my choreography? That’s completely crazy. But maybe crazy is good.
“Oh, come on, it doesn’t have to be that elaborate. Skye is always making videos for TikTok and stuff. They turn out pretty good.”
“Skye makes TikToks?” I stare at him in surprise, forgetting for a moment what we’re actually talking about, because Skye is the last person I can imagine making videos and posting them on social media.
I have no idea why; it’s not like I know her well enough to judge whether it suits her or not.
But somehow I wouldn’t have thought she was the type, and she’s never mentioned it. Neither has Jase, Zoe, or Mae.
Then Jax blushes, awkwardly rubbing his nose. “Yes. But the thing is, I wasn’t supposed to tell. Skye doesn’t like to talk about it, and I don’t think anyone knows except me.”
“Well, I’d say you failed miserably, dude.” Beck pats him on the shoulder.
“I thought there was nothing going on between you two.” Colin’s eyebrows go up, and Jax makes a face.
“There isn’t, I’ve just known about the videos for a long time.
But it doesn’t matter now. Just picture it for a second: our song, Rayne’s dance .
. . It could be really good. Maybe we’ll go viral, and then a label will notice us, and then we’ll become rich and famous.
” He beams at us, and suddenly there’s a tingle of excitement in my stomach.
“And they lived happily ever after,” Colin says sarcastically, leaning back and crossing his legs. “You’re kidding, right?”
“No, why should I be?”
“Because it’s pretty unlikely.”
“But not impossible,” Jax argues. “It’s definitely worth a try, right? What have we got to lose?”
“Not much, really,” Beck admits, looking at Easton and me. “What do you think?”
Easton’s arm around my waist tightens. I turn to look at him. He looks at me, only me, and for a moment it feels like we’re totally alone in the room. In the world. He tilts his head, a tiny movement. It’s up to you.
My pulse races. It really is my decision. “You don’t need me for a video. You can do it without me.”
“Of course we could,” Colin says, and I turn around again to face the guys. He smiles a little. “But if we’re going to do this, let’s do it together. Easton’s right, it’s your song too.”
“Okay, but I don’t even know if I can do the choreography. I’ve never done anything like this before,” I protest.
“Neither have we.” His smile widens. “All or nothing, Rayne.”
My heart skips a beat. This is the first time Colin hasn’t called me “Text Girl.”
You’re one of us now.
I stand up, suddenly unable to sit anymore. My legs are tingling, and so is the rest of my body. My thoughts are racing and I have to move. A song. Choreography. A music video. It’s completely crazy. It probably won’t even work. In fact, I’m pretty sure it won’t.
But what if it does?
It’s Dad’s voice in my head, warm and encouraging. I stand still and close my eyes, taking a deep breath.
What if it does work, Mockingbird?
I don’t think about it anymore, I just open my eyes and make a decision.