Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 57804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Truthfully, I didn’t know what to expect. I knew how I felt, but how did they feel? How could six different hearts come together if they happened to feel the same way? It wasn’t supposed to be this difficult. I wasn’t supposed to come here and fall for four other men on top of the feelings that I already had for Ryder.
“Hey, breathe, Delilah,” Emery told me in a firm voice. “I know it seems like endless chaos, but I’ve been there. You’ll get through, and you may end up happier than ever.”
I hoped for that. Desperately. After being tossed aside by Ethan, I wanted to be with someone who cared about me past my fame and my money. When I was with the guys, they complimented my music, but that wasn’t my selling point to them. They talked about how beautiful I was, how kind I was, and how I was passionate about what I did. Those words meant more to me than I could ever try to explain to them.
“Thanks, Emery. I hope everything is going well for you and the guys,” I said, feeling my heart ache a little. It had been too long since the last time we saw each other in person. “We should meet up sometime.”
“Bring your boys and I’ll bring mine,” Emery laughed.
I couldn’t help but smile a little. If only that could be our reality. I wanted all of them and didn’t want to choose, but could I really have the happy ending that Emery experienced?
Chapter 15
Delilah
I could tell that there were only a few nights left to spend in the studio.
The song went from bones of instrumentals to a nearly full-fledged track with transitions and effects that brought it to life. Vocals were next, but Jesse, Carson, and I stayed at the studio late tonight to tweak just a few more things.
At this point, we were being very particular about every single thing. The song had to be perfect to wow the label. I had been very clear about that with the band, who were still unsigned. They actually preferred that, which I couldn’t blame them for.
Being under a label was stressful, and I usually had to follow the lead of the executives. However, they provided a lot of support and scored me opportunities that I couldn’t even dream of, like working with my first love’s band. That certainly came out the blue.
“I just feel like I can do it better,” Jesse sighed as he listened to a section of his recording in the first verse. He pulled off the headphones as we all sat at the desk, shaking his head.
“You’re overthinking it. You do this,” Carson reminded him. “It’s not the bass. It’s my guitar. That one note just sounds awkward.”
I gave them both pointed looks.
“I can assure you that everything sounds amazing. Now that we’re getting close to the end, we’re just being perfectionists. We’re searching for something to complain about,” I told them as I sat between them. I would be the same way once I recorded my vocals, but I needed them to relax a little.
“Are you sure? I really don’t mind doing another take,” Jesse offered.
“I’m sure,” I told him before turning to Carson. “And no, you can’t do another take. Look at your fingers.”
Carson looked down at his calloused hands. Everyone had been working so hard, tiring themselves out and creating more stress than necessary.
“We just want it to be as perfect as possible. You’re represented in this song. The last thing we want to do is embarrass you by putting out a bad song,” he told me.
My expression softened.
“It’ll introduce a lot of people to you guys too. I want it to be great for all of us,” I said as I looked between them. “Let’s just sit back and play it over the speakers. One more time.”
They nodded in agreement before hitting the play button on the DAW and retreating to the couch. They moved apart to give me space to sit between them, their legs and shoulders touching mine.
I nodded my head as I listened to the instrumental we had pieced together. Every track complemented the other, and the quick mix we did sat well and naturally. It was beautiful and dynamic with its melodic verses and powerful chorus.
“Come on. That’s a damn good song,” I said once it came to an end, leaving the studio quiet besides our voices.
Carson chuckled and nodded.
“Yeah, it’s pretty good,” he admitted. “What do you think, J?”
Jesse crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned back against the couch cushion.
“I’m proud of it. I think that’s what matters the most,” he replied.
I nudged his shoulder with mine as I smiled.
“Exactly. We deserve a reward once all of this is said and done. I honestly haven’t worked this hard on a song before,” I admitted. I did all of my lyrics and vocals, but the studio didn’t let me touch the instrumental all that much. They just wanted me to focus on what I was naturally good at, but I had a blast having a part in making the entire song.