Maybe Someday(32)

you work from home?

Ridge: Other obligations. But next time

they’re in Austin, I’ll take you.

182/692

I’ll take you. I think I like that part of his message a little too much.

Me: What’s the name of the band?

Ridge: Sounds of Cedar.

I slam my laptop shut and swing my eyes to

his. “Shut up!” He nods, then reaches down

and opens my laptop again.

Ridge: You’ve heard of us?

Me: Yes. Everyone on campus has heard

of your band, considering they played al-

most every single weekend last year.

Hunter loves you guys.

Ridge: Ah. Well, this is the first time I’ve

ever wished we had one less fan. So

you’ve seen Brennan play?

Me: I only went with Hunter once, and it

was one of the last shows, but yes. I think

183/692

I may have most of the songs on my

phone, actually.

Ridge: Wow. Small world. We are close to

a record deal. That’s why I’ve been

stressing so much about these songs. And

why you need to help me.

Me: OMG! I just realized I’m writing lyrics

for SOUNDS OF CEDAR!!!

I slide my laptop over, then roll onto my stom-

ach and squeal into the mattress while I kick my

legs up and down.

Holy crap! This is too cool.

I compose myself, ignoring Ridge’s laughter,

then sit up straight again and grab my laptop.

Me: So you wrote most of those songs?

He nods.

184/692

Me: Did you write the lyrics to the song

“Something”?

He nods again. I seriously can’t believe this is

happening right now. Knowing he wrote those

lyrics and now I’m sitting here next to him is ex-

citing me way too much.

Me: I’m about to listen to your song.

Since you get to decipher my lyrics, it’s

my turn to decipher yours.

Ridge: I wrote that song two years ago.

Me: Still. It came from you. From some-

where inside you, Ridge. ;)

He picks up a pillow and throws it at my head.

I laugh and scroll through the music folder on my

phone until I find the song, and I hit play.

SOMETHING

I keep on wondering why

185/692

I can’t say ’bye to you

And the only thing I can

think of is the truth

It’s hard to start over

Keep checkin’ that rearview, too

But something’s coming

Something right for you

Just wait a bit longer

You’ll find something you wanted

Something you needed

Something you want to have repeated

Oh, that feeling’s all right

You’ll find that if you listen

Between all the kissing

What made it work

Wound up missing

Oh, that seems about right

I guess I thought that we would

Always stay the same

186/692

And I can tell that you find

Somebody to blame

And I know in my heart,

In my mind, it’s all a game

Our hopes and wishes

Won’t relight the flame

Just wait a bit longer

You’ll find something you wanted

Something you needed

Something you want to have repeated

Oh, that feeling’s all right

You’ll find that if you listen

Between all the kissing

What made it work

Wound up missing

Oh, that seems about right

You don’t ever have to wonder

’Cause you will always know

That what we had was for sure

187/692

For sure

Now that thing is no more

No more

You’ll find what you wanted

You’ll find what you needed

You’ll find what you wanted

You’ll find what you needed

You’ll find what you needed

When the song ends, I sit back up on the bed. I

would ask him about the lyrics and the meaning

behind them right now, but I’m not sure I want

to. I want to listen to it again without him watch-

ing me, because it’s really hard to concentrate

when he’s staring at me. He’s resting his chin in

his hands, casually watching me. I try to hide my

grin, but it’s hard. I see a smile spread across his

lips before he looks down at his phone.

Ridge: Why do I feel like you’re fangirling

right now?

188/692

Probably because I am.

Me: I’m not fangirling. Don’t flatter your-

self. I’ve witnessed how evil you can be

with your revenge schemes, and I’ve been

exposed to your severe alcoholism, so I’m

not as enamored with you as I could be.

Ridge: My father was a severe alcoholic.

Your jokes are a little off-putting.

I look up at him apologetically and with a hint

of embarrassment. “I’m sorry. I was kidding.”