Across the Music (Across the Ocean Book 2) (6 page)

I lean to place my beer on the table before standing up and brushing my hands along the sides of my ass to remove any crumbs. I turn to see Loki staring at it, maybe even for the whole time I was looking over the arm of the couch. Shamelessly, I might add. His eyes make a slow trip up my body to meet mine, and that lazy smile lifts the side of his mouth again. How’s a girl supposed to keep her pants on when a bloke is checking her out like that? Turning away quickly, I walk through the doorway and into the hall to greet Brooke even though I feel a little frazzled from a probable pheromone overload.

I don’t really know Ari much at all, having only met him once before. The last time I saw them he was dating another girl named Lára. From what I’ve gathered, there has always been a strong love between Brooke and Ari, and sometimes that is the path you need to follow, rather than letting the thing you need the most in life get away. I really respect the both of them for fighting for each other and the feelings they have.

I'm not too shy to admit that I would love to have someone, anybody to love me even a fraction of that much. I don't know what it feels like, and I crave it with everything inside of me.

The stereotypical life of coming home after work to your significant other who is happy to see you, falling asleep in the arms of the same person for the rest of your life. Being surrounded by love. I'm not fanciful enough to believe that it's always sugar and rainbows. Love is hard work, and there are times when it isn't easy at all. I'm not afraid of that. If I had something to work hard for; I'd do just that. I'd grab on tight and not let go until we came out on the other side where the grass is greener simply because we made it. Everyone wants what they don't have. We're a whole bunch of selfish bastards.

I turn to Brooke, a genuine smile on my face. I open my arms and she gives me a tight hug, pulling back to look up at me with a huge smile on her face as well. Her eyes are crinkled in good humor, and I'm glad that she's happy to see me.

"How's it going,
bugalug
? Thanks for the invite tonight," I pinch Brooke's cheek in a silly fashion. She's shorter than I am by a good five inches (12 or so centimeters, as I'm 5'7) and I think she's just as cute as a button. I feel a kinship with her that I can't explain.

"I was thinking that you'd probably enjoy some of the eye candy for the evening. Plus I really liked you when we met. I've been hoping to spend more time with you." Aw shucks, she's a sweetheart too.

I nod and let her go, turning towards Ari. Gunnar and he are wrapping up their greetings, and I lean in for a light cheek to cheek air kiss that seems so common here.

"It's great to see you again, mate," I murmur at him when I pull back. He smiles at me, and I take a good look at his face. He's a handsome bugger, but not really my type. I seem to have spotted two already that just might be my type though. He and Brooke really suit each other and make a gorgeous couple.

I turn to head back into the living room. I hear the buzzing sound again, knowing that Gunnar has now become the greeter of the party as more people are arriving. I return to my seat on the sofa, grab my beer and scull several gulps to finish it off, placing the now empty can back on the table in front of me. Bring on the strangers!

I'd say that the party is a success, all things considered. We have a relatively small crowd consisting of around 10-15 people in the flat at any given time, as they come and go often. I know many of them will decide to head downtown in a few more hours, as is usual for us. I've been busy buzzing everyone up to the front door, and making sure that the drinks and refreshments don't run out.

I've been trying to keep an eye on Sophie, with little success. She doesn't look to be having any troubles meeting with everyone though, and really fits into my group of friends easily and seamlessly. Not that I'm paying that much attention. Just, you know, happening to notice it.

I have also noticed that Loki hasn't left his spot on the couch except to have an occasional hand-rolled ciggy near the balcony, his guitar in tow each time. He tends to become a little reclusive when we have get-togethers; retreating into his music in what I assume is an effort to fend off social anxiety. His eyes however, have been following Sophie around for most of the last hour and a half. This leaves me with mixed emotions, and I'm going to pretend they don't exist for now.

Taking a peek into the living room, I see that Sophie is having a chat with one of my best pals, Helgi. I think they met in Tálknafjörður a few weeks ago. She doesn't have a beer in her hand, so I make my way to the converted closet/cooler and pull out two beers, one for her and one for me. It's always good to be a gentleman, and I don't remember her having any booze with her when she arrived like most people did. She probably didn't even know what kind of party she was going to.

That causes me to think about why Brooke would invite her here. She's a clever person, and I would bet money that she was bringing new blood to our group for the men. Any time a new woman comes around, the guys can't stop themselves from trying to see if they have a shot with her. Seeing how few women are regulars in our gatherings, I'm assuming it must be too much for any normal woman to handle.

Around an hour later, a flicker of light blonde movement down the hallway barely catches my eye while I am heading to the kitchen. I stop and watch her walk down my hallway, and I can hear the faint telltale sounds of a guitar floating towards me from down the hall. At most parties, you can find Loki holed up in some room, playing guitar while a small group of people sit around him and watch, enthralled. He's really that good. I can see the door to my bedroom open, and I know everyone listening to Loki is in there. After tossing the trash I had in my hand away, I follow Sophie's direction and head to my room.

As the largest room in the flat, it's obvious why everybody is in there now. Loki is sitting on my bed which is under the window on the left wall, Brooke and Ari are sitting on extra chairs that were brought into my room, holding hands like a mushy couple does, and there is a table to the right side of the room where my synths and keyboard are laid out next to my computer for my music making. I like when we all congregate in my room when Loki plays, because then I'm able to jump in and play along easily. It's how most of our songs come to fruition.

For a moment I don't see Sophie anywhere, but after a look around the room, I see she's hovering in the left corner, looking unsure of herself as though she's in a place she's not supposed to be. I turn to her and smile reassuringly, knowing that it must be difficult for her to just come to a party with many people you're not overly familiar with and feel completely comfortable.

"Sophie, feel free to sit down and relax. This is something we always do, and please make yourself at home in my home," I gesture to an open spot on my queen-sized bed for her to sit, and she smiles at me sweetly before taking the beverage from my extended hand, and a seat there. I glance over and realize that Loki is watching Sophie closely, and I'm not used to Loki giving much attention to any women. Interesting. He must be drawn to Sophie like I am, and I'm not sure how I feel about that. I might have to make my intentions clear, sooner rather than later. I can't say that I know what my intentions are yet, but apparently I need to figure them out, and get on it. All I know is that I want to be close to Sophie however I can.

"Will you sing for me again, Sophie?" Loki's voice rings out suddenly as he stops playing his guitar and focuses completely on her.
Again
? She sang for him before? Do they know each other from Tálknafjörður, too? Am I jealous? Is this what jealousy feels like? I don't like it. I'm totally jealous.

Sophie's face turns a lovely shade of pink at the sudden attention from everyone in the room, but she shrugs her shoulders as though she is unaffected, and completely composed.

"I'm unsure if I know any of the songs you do, but I will do my best, mate. What do you want to play?" She sits up a little straighter on the bed, preparing for whatever singing she'll be asked to do. I like her eagerness to participate, instead of only hanging around in the background, unnoticed, or even to whine and cause a fuss like some women would do. She doesn't mind shining, or doesn't appear to be shy or dramatic. I'm interested to hear her sing, if Loki wants her to. He never asks anyone to sing for him. It's a problem we've had with our music, he hasn't been happy with any of the voices we've asked to try out for our singer.

"I just want you to do what you did earlier, is that alright?" Loki's question answers my own, and I feel a slight decrease in stress over the situation. At least she still met me first. I see Sophie nodding to Loki, and am rather pleasantly surprised that she's so on board with all of it.

Loki begins to play a beautiful melody that I haven't heard from him before. The chords create a beautiful feeling that swells and moves around inside of my chest. Walking over to my table full of music equipment, I turn a few on and prepare to join in. Moments later, Sophie slides effortlessly in with her singing. I don't know what I expected, but this wasn't it, and I'm ecstatic that I chose to come into the room when I did, so I didn't miss this.

I'm struck stupid, entranced when she begins singing actual words.

Soon, I'll take off and fly, to meet you where the

Earth meets the sky.

Fate has said that there I'll stay, and now the

Lights will show me the way.

The high clear tone accompanied somehow by a throaty raspiness that I've not heard before. I haven't even begun to question how she made up those lyrics so quickly and on the spot. I'm absolutely and thoroughly impressed. I may also be sporting a partial stiffy, but no one is paying any attention to me. Is she singing about the Northern Lights?

Sophie fades into humming the melody she has created, and all of us are staring at her in shock, except Loki. He is wearing a shit-eating grin as though he knew what kind of treat we were in for. Her voice flows so well with the guitar, and I jump in and push some buttons on one of my synths to give us a steady bass and beat. My foot starts tapping, just as I see Brooke and Ari's feet tapping on the ground with the beat, their heads bobbing along with the rhythm.

Brooke's eyes are the size of saucers as she watches Sophie singing, her lip held between her teeth. She keeps looking over at Ari with excitement. I wonder what's going through her head.

Lights from far to the North

Bring me closer to where you are

Beaconing its beautiful light

Together, we'll light up the night

Loki wraps up the song when Sophie finishes singing, and I work my magic to bring the beat and bass to a close with him. There's a feeling of satisfaction hovering in the air, from making something beautiful so quickly and perfectly.

"Holy shit Sophie," Brooke rushes forward and sits on the edge of the bed next to her, grabbing her hands excitedly.

"Will you sing at my wedding, with these guys? I know we barely know each other, but I think that you are something incredibly special. I don't even know how I have anything to say to you right now, I feel as though I should be speechless. That was beautiful, and it struck me right in my gut." Sophie seems to change suddenly, absorbing the praise and joy from her singing like a wilting flower receiving rain after a drought. The transformation doesn't go unnoticed by anyone in the room, as she sits up straighter, and the sweetest smile spreads across her face. Who is this girl, that isn't used to compliments or good gestures? What has she been through that would make her that way? I'm unexplainably curious.

Sophie clears her throat, nodding to Brooke in agreement. There's an earsplitting screech of glee from Brooke before she launches herself at Sophie for a hug. Sophie's eyes are wide with surprise, but she warmly hugs Brooke back. Throwing glances at us over Brooke's shoulder, I can tell she's a bit uncertain still, and probably overwhelmed.

"I would love to, if these guys don't mind working with me. I don't want to step on any toes and just shove myself into whatever you guys have going…" Brooke huffs at this, giving Loki and me menacing glares.

"If these guys have half a brain, then they will know what is best for them, and listen to what I say. This girl is amazing, and you must add her to your band. Oh please say yes Sophie."

Brooke is just on that ball, jumping at the chance to bring Sophie into our lives, and I'm just glad I feel the same about wanting her around. She is so interesting to me, and I want to learn her secrets. Glancing over at Loki, I see that even he looks as though he has been put under this spell that Sophie has placed over all of us, enchanted. I think she's going to fit in well.

"Sophie, we'd love to have you work with us, and maybe even be a part of our modest musical group if you want. You really sing beautifully, and you have a tone in your voice that I think would really sit nicely with our work," I want to make sure she knows that I want her on board too, she seems like the kind who wouldn't show up because she was worried about inconveniencing people. I'm not that kind of guy, all my friends are used to leaning on each other, and we have a close network amongst us.

I hear a buzzing at the door, and turn to go answer it, sending Sophie a reassuring smile before I go, happy to see her own smile in return aimed straight at me.