Baby, I’m sorry if I’m getting wistful,
You’ll always be my Pistol.
You’re my lighthouse, my safe haven,
I’ll keep you close, I’ll guard your heart
I’ll love you forever, it was you and me right from the start.
I turn around to see her expression, the last part of the chorus wasn’t part of the song, I added it and didn’t tell her. Her mouth hangs open as she realizes what I just said.
“I love you, Pistol.” I say, my face turned away from the mic. She can hear me through the headphones, and her eyes light up as she drops her sticks and runs to me. I hold my arms open for her as she jumps, wrapping her legs around me.
“I love you too.” She says into my shoulder, as her limbs wrap tighter around mine. “I love you so much.” She lifts her head, and her mouth finds mine instantly. Our lips meet, and her hand finds the back of my head, pulling me in deeper for the kiss. Her tongue moves against mine, and a low moan pulls from the back of her throat.
“Forever?” She asks against my lips. Her eyes holding so many questions I feel the need to squash those worries.
“I’ll love you forever, I promise.” I state, and I know that I will, deep down I know that she’s it, she’s forever for me.
“Me too.” She smiles against my lips. She kisses me again, and if not for the throat clearing in my headphones, I would probably fuck her against the glass window. I forgot there were other people in the room, I was so wrapped up in Bristol I didn’t see the guys walk in either.
“Don’t stop on our account.” Boston says, laughing loudly.
“Yeah, please continue.” Alex laughs also, falling into the room behind Boston. His gray eyes are glassy, and if it weren’t for Bristol’s perfume, I’m pretty sure I could smell him from here.
“Jesus Alex, did you bathe in bourbon?” Bristol asks, covering her nose as she disentangles her limbs from mine.
“Whiskey actually. You know what they say, if you can’t fix it, whiskey can.” He shoots Bristol a wink, and she rolls her eyes.
“That’s not the saying,” she says with a laugh, “it’s if whiskey can’t fix it, nothing can.”
“Same same.” Alex replies with a shrug as he walks over to his guitar. “You guys ready to lay down some tracks?” We all nod and move to our assigned places. Alex and Boston put their headphones on, and I nod to the sound techs, signaling that we’re ready.
Hours later, we all drag ourselves out of the studio headed for the closest bar in sight. Bristol’s pissed she’s wearing sweats and we’re going out in public but not mad enough not to go. We walk the hallway of the studio together, each of us coming up with our own ideas for food.
“Rhyit.” A voice rings out down the hallway. I stop and turn to see Tony, our lead sound guy at the end of the hall. “Larkin wants to see you.” He yells down the hallway.
“Ooooooo,” Alex laughs, “the principal wants to see you Rhyit!” The others chime in, lightly making fun of me.
“I’ll catch up to you guys, okay?” I tell them, pulling Bristol into me with a quick kiss to her forehead. “No tequila for her, okay?” I smile at the guys. They all nod, and Bristol pouts at me.
“I like tequila.” She stomps her foot.
“Tequila doesn’t like you.” Boston says with a laugh.
“Remember the last time…” Alex bursts out laughing, “you told that bartender who cut you off that you were going to fuck his dad and make him your stepson.”
I’m doubled over, laughing at the memory. Bristol gets so feisty on tequila that we had to swear her off of it.
“One god damn time.” She quips holding her finger up to show how many times that’s happened.
“Stick to vodka, sweets.” I say as I move down the hallway away from them.
What the fuck could Larkin want? We laid six tracks tonight, at least one of them has to be up to his stupid standards.
Chapter 22 Bristol Present
Phoenix is basically the sun, and I feel like I’m melting as we sit under the small tent outside the outdoor amphitheater. Rhyit is hunched over his notebook writing and then crossing out and then writing again. We haven’t spoken since last night, neither one of us wanting to face the demons we brought to the surface.