A Demon's Harmony - E.C. Land Page 0,3

and I can’t forget following the rankings of the songs they release.

Opening my car door, I get out and sigh hoping I don’t run into him. If I do, he’ll know somethings wrong with me. He always does, and I hate him for it.

Stepping through the front door of Music Lullabies, I’m met by the shouts of an argument.

“I don’t care. I’m not going on that stage,” Bethany snaps.

“Why not? Your voice is beautiful, and the songs don’t sound the same without you,” Chaz argues.

“I’m not doing it,” she mutters.

Grinning at the argument those two are constantly having, I make my way toward them. “Are you two ever going to find something else to fight about?” I chuckle.

“We wouldn’t be arguing about it if bossy here would stop pestering me to sing on a damn stage. It’s bad enough I’m constantly in the studio recording songs that are being released for everyone to hear,” Bethany says, throwing her arms in the air. Here recently she’s been way crappier about this since the Letters From Above benefit concert.

“Fairy girl, no one is pressuring you to do a damn thing. All I’m saying is I love having you up there with me. It’s not the same singing our new songs without you,” Chaz says, wrapping his arms around Bethany pulling her into him.

Watching them I know I want what they have but I’m not sure I’ll ever really have it. Not when I can’t have Tanner. He broke my heart that night and to make matters worse, he’s my husband. I wish there wasn’t heartache between us but there is.

Needing to keep my thoughts from going down that road, I leave the happy couple to their banter and head for the studio. It’s where I work when I’m trying to get something done. Plus, bonus points when the guys are practicing, I get to watch Tanner without him knowing.

As I approach the doors, I already know who’s on the other side. All because I can hear him talking to someone.

“I already told you Mom, I’m done having you and dickhead mooching off me. Don’t expect another dime from me or Kobi. We’re not your ATM machine. You need money tell your husband to get off his fucked up ass and work for it.” Closing my eyes, I lean my head against the door not wanting to intrude on his conversation.

“You can quit with the crying, it’s not gonna work on me this time,” Tanner’s voice booms. My heart hurts for him having to deal with his parents constantly. Ever since I first met his mother, I never liked her. She always takes his dad’s side rather than being there for her sons.

How Tanner and his brother, Kobi, turned out the way they have is beyond me. Both of them have been successful since high school. Kobi is in college on a sports scholarship that he received for not only football but baseball as well. However, he had the choice of one or the other to play and went with baseball.

Tanner though he chose not to go to school after college. Instead he and the guys pursued their passion in music and have become successful in not just the music they play but this shop as well. The guys all have a soft spot for this place; it’s where it all began for them.

Before I can pull away from the door it opens, and I’m met by the furious glare of Tanner. Our eyes meet and I know he realizes I heard his conversation from the way his eyes narrow.

When he opens his mouth, I know it’s not going to be pretty. It never is.

Chapter 2

Tanner

I’m furious when I hang up with my mom. I become even more so as I open the door coming face-to-face with the most insufferable woman I know.

My fuckin’ wife.

That night I’d tied her to me when she asked. Somedays I regret fuckin’ doing it but then again I wouldn’t have her in my life at all. Granted I can’t really claim she’s a part of it now. Other than when she’s here or the times she comes by the house for Melody, I don’t see her.

For the past five and a half years I've not been with another woman nor wanted to. Why do our lives have to be this fuckin’ complicated?

Right now, though, I’m pissed she’d been eavesdropping on a conversation that wasn’t meant for anyone’s ears. Doesn’t matter she knows how my parents are. It’s