Staccato (Magnum Opus #2) - E.M. Lindsey Page 0,64

kissed him because you like him, and he likes you. And he’s a good guy,” he repeated. “He deserves a chance.”

Nik swallowed thickly again and said nothing until their salad plates were whisked away and his sandwich sat in front of him. He touched the toasted bread, brushed his fingers over the crisp fries, the little dish of ranch on the side. He wasn’t hungry anymore, but he forced himself to take a bite and chew, if only to occupy his mouth.

“You can’t ignore me forever,” Jay told him. His words were thick with the burger he was eating, but they were clear enough.

“My brother wants me to submit a composition to Alessio de Rege.” Nik paused, then sighed. “He’s a composer who lives in Rome—he does a lot of modern operas, and he’s worked with Nicolas Michaud.”

“That pianist you have the hots for?” Jay asked.

Nik felt his cheeks flush, unaware he’d been so grossly obvious all this time. “It’s…I don’t…”

“I’m kidding,” Jay said with a laugh. “So, that’s…a big deal, right?”

“I know he won’t take me. Not like this. But Van likes the work I did. He thinks I should film it and send it in. All my sheet music is in braille right now, and I don’t have time to transfer it to print.” It was an excuse, mostly. He’d written plenty of music in print, but he knew he was setting himself up to fail.

“Van’s a picky little bitch,” Jay told him. “If he’s into it, it might be worth considering.”

Nik hummed as he ate another bite, then dragged one of his fries into his ranch, then dropped it to the side before reaching for his napkin. “Will you come hear it?”

Jay made a startled noise, then gave a breathy laugh. “On one condition.”

Nik braced himself. “I invite Adam to come along?”

“Don’t tell me this fucking thing isn’t for him, Nik. I’ve known you long enough.”

Nik couldn’t bring himself to lie to his friend, so he didn’t. “Don’t tell him. Not yet. I just…I need to figure this out.”

“Are you going to submit the music?” Jay asked.

Nik bowed his head. “It would mean going to Rome, if by some miracle Alessio did choose me to work with him. That’s…” A dream. It was a dream—it was more than that. It was a fantasy he never dared hope for, because he didn’t want to break his own heart. “I think it’s enough to know that you both like it.”

“Fine. Call him, and I’ll take a night off, and you can serenade us.”

“Okay,” Nik said. “Thank you.”

“Don’t wait long though, with whatever you’re going to do with him. I know that man doesn’t see himself as much, but he is something. He’s not going to wait forever.”

“I know,” Nik whispered, and he did. There would come a point—a now or never—and he’d have to take a leap. He just wanted a little bit more time.

Chapter 15

Scordatura

Van was yet again at the door when Adam knocked, but his reception was slightly warmer than the last one had been. He gave Adam a slow up and down gaze, then held the door open for him and Jay to walk through.

He and Nik looked alike—in the way most siblings did. Adam didn’t have to search far for glimpses of Nik in his face—the way his jaw was sharp or the slight lump in the middle of his nose. Van’s eyes were wide, a bright sort of greenish blue though one of them had very dark spots freckled in his iris. Adam couldn’t help but wonder if Nik had once shared the same color eyes, but he knew it didn’t matter.

Adam was in love with all of Nik, not just pieces of him. He was the sum of this grand thing he couldn’t get enough of—and the details didn’t matter. He was aching though, sore on the inside, and he wondered how long he’d really be able to take this before he cracked.

He’d either fall out of love—though the more time he spent with Nik, he doubted his ability—or he’d have to leave. Either way, his heart wouldn’t remain unscathed.

A warm hand at his back distracted him from those thoughts, and Jay gave him a gentle push inside as he swung the door shut behind them. He was friendlier with Van, exchanging a fist-bump the way he did with everyone.

They started to talk, but Adam lost the thread of the conversation immediately at the sight of Nik coming down the stairs. He was