Free Where Words Fail by Katheryn Kiden, Kathy Krick, Melissa Gill, Kelsey Keeton

once again registering high on my scale of emotions.
     
     
    I tried to rein everything in as we made our way to the stage for sound check and rehearsal, but as soon as I saw her everything came surging back to the surface. She was sitting with her guitar on her lap strumming away at a haunting melody. Her head was hanging, and her hair was spilling over her shoulder as she sang softly. The stool next to her was empty but held my acoustic next to it, and a piece of paper laid on top. Jason pushed me towards my spot while AJ eyed me. He was still pissed off at me. I couldn’t blame him though, I was still more pissed at myself than anyone could possibly imagine.
    When I got to the stool, Abby didn’t even acknowledge I was next to her. So I grabbed the paper and sat down. I totally expected a fully written song waiting for me. Something that she had already written before I even came along. What I didn’t expect was a sheet of paper with blank spots where we were supposed to be singing, the only thing written was the music we would be playing.
    Shit, I think I might just have a panic attack before this is over. She expects me to write in my parts without knowing hers. Which would mean I would be able to tell her how I feel before I even got a chance to talk to her about why I left. Or she could tell me to go fuck myself again with her side.
    “Alright Jameson... Here’s the deal. Abby’s still not ready to talk so you’re going to listen to me right now,” AJ started. I couldn’t keep my eyes from drifting towards her.
    Even upset and ignoring me, she was gorgeous. I had a hard time listening to what he was saying because all I could think of was me grabbing her and running my hands along her slender neck. All I’ve wanted to do for the past three weeks was kiss her again. I missed the rush I got when her lips molded perfectly to mine. “Abby’s written the music and her part of the song. As you can see, you won’t be seeing it till later. Jason and I have it though. So here’s what you’re going to do. We’ll sit here and play through the music so we all get it right and you’re going to write your part as we go. When you’re finished you’re going to give it to us and we’ll figure it out from there.”
    “Holy shit are you fucking crazy! We’re supposed to write a song and not know what it says until we try singing it in front of thousands of people. You’re kidding right?” And commence the beginning of my panic attack in 5... 4... 3...
    “That’s how this is going to happen, Jameson. You can go along with it and keep your job, or you can say no and fly home now. Either way, this song is being played tonight even if AJ and I have to write in your parts. You’re a replacement dude... Don’t think for a second we can’t replace the replacement. It’s not the first time we’ve written a song and played it the same night.”
    I just nodded and began playing along when they did. Abby’s an amazing songwriter, so I’m sure her part will be flawless, just like her. It’s not that I’m worried the song won’t be good, it’s that I’m worried we’re going to be coming at this from two different angles.
    Me telling her I loved her while she told me she hated me.
     

 

    Abby
    You can always run, but you’re not going to be able to hide forever.  The words Alex always yelled at me all those years ago were banging around my mind. He was right. I could always keep running but sooner or later I would have to let someone see the real me. He had been patient, calming me down when I woke up screaming, getting me drunk on all the days my life had fallen apart, the days both our lives fell apart. Telling me everything was going to be ok because it didn’t matter that people left, because he would never leave me. Now, the one other person that has ever told me the same thing was back in my life causing me to choke on my emotions so bad I could barely talk and Alex, who said he wouldn’t ever leave,