Chasing the Music: For the Love of Music Book 0.5 by Mia Josephs Page A

be independent. On top of which, they think they have you, but they don’t really have you because you don’t want to be there.” Ryker pulled out his own phone and tapped into his email.
    “They have me. Of course they have me. And of course I want to be there.” Still he was pushing out the words. He just hadn’t been gone long enough yet. Hadn’t had enough of a break to be excited to go back. To want to sleep next to her again, instead of sleeping next to her because that was the routine.
    “No.” Ryker’s eyes met his brother’s and Griffin held his gaze. “No, Stacy doesn’t have you. She has half of you, and you know how I feel about that.”
    Griffin took another drink to avoid his brother’s stare. “I’m not you.”
    “You’re definitely not me. I have no plans to settle or get married or even be in a relationship. It’s fine. We’re wired different, but Griff… It’s one thing to be in a relationship, it’s another to be everything to that person. You cannot be everything to anyone—least of all someone you don’t want to be everything for.”
    “I love Stacy,” he said simply. That was the truth. That would always be his truth, and he wouldn’t hurt people he loved.
    “I know you love Stacy.” Ryker stood. “I know you do. And I know you’d spend your whole life with her if that’s what she wanted, but Griff… Maybe what she wants right now, isn’t the best thing for her in the long run. Think about that. You can love her, and not be in love with her. That’s not the worst thing that could happen here. The worst thing would be staying with someone you’re not insanely crazy about. Love isn’t enough. Maybe it’s her that deserves better.”
    Griffin opened his mouth to fight back, but he had nothing. How would he get back that insane passion they used to have if Ryker was right? The situation felt too big to solve. He’d feel better once he’d had his adventure and was back home again.
    He dropped Stacy a quick text.
    Griffin: All well?
    Stacy: Going out with Tina tonight. Kind of excited. Is it weird for you that we’re going to be having so much fun?
    Griffin: I think it’s great. You two be safe, k?
    Stacy: Text if you need anything, but maybe we’ll just talk tomorrow?
    He hated that he felt relieved, but he might have a chance to be alone on the stage if he played after the show instead of calling her like he did most nights. Or her calling him even when she said she didn’t need a call.
    Griffin: okay. I’m wiped and will probably crash as soon as the show is over. More tired than I thought.
    Stacy: love you like crazy.
    Griffin: love you too
    And then he slid his phone in his pocket and let himself be weighted with guilt for being so relieved.
     
     
    Griffin was once again sitting onstage, hours after the concert, strumming on one of the backup guitars. Normally his phone sat on the stage in front of him for Stacy to hear, but that night he was actually alone.
    He fingered over a few riffs he’d been playing with and started the new song he’d been working on.
    smoother planes… softer lines… crazy ways… longer times… This was where it should have gotten louder, but he continued in his soft voice anyway. I look to you… To fill my soul… I look to you… to let me go…
    “You’re really good,” a woman’s voice stopped him and Griffin spun around.
    Lita James.
    She’d barely spoken to him since the tour began. There wasn’t really a need to.
    Her hair was wet and resting in a ponytail on top of her head. Her face bare except the remnant smudges of black liner around her eyes.
    There was something so human about her in that awkward moment, with her standing on the dark stage in the cooling air, listening to him with open eyes. She had definitely created a persona for herself, and it was damn convincing. After the first day he never thought he’d see anything but rock star Lita James when he looked at her. But now… Now he wondered if he’d