“Okay. Goodnight.”
Reid ended the call and tossed his phone on the bedside table. He closed his eyes and let his mind drift to the past. To smoky bars, cheap beers, and the sound of Creedence Clearwater Revival playing on an old jukebox. The memory made him smile. It was a familiar place Reid visited in his mind when he needed to block out the nightmares. As he slowly drifted to sleep, his face twisted with confusion as the scene changed. The last thing he saw was the glint of silver and a flash of purple before succumbing to sleep.
The next morning, Reid was surprised to find Chloe waiting in the control room. His surprise quickly morphed, however, when a sweet smell invaded his senses. Icing, cinnamon, and the warm scent of fresh-baked pastries hung thick in the air. He crossed the room to Chloe’s side, ignoring the look of shock that flashed across her face as he leaned closer and pulled in another deep breath.
“What is that smell? Is that you? You can’t smell like that all day.”
“What are you going to do, eat me?” Chloe laughed, before her eyes widened and her mouth fell open. Reid took a step back and eased into the chair next to her, the skin on the back of his neck heating as he processed her words. Not wanting to prolong either of their embarrassment, Reid redirected the conversation to the reason he’d nearly assaulted her in the first place.
“No, but if that smell is not from food you have hidden somewhere, only lingering on your clothes, you’re going to have to change. That’s cruel and unusual punishment.”
Chloe reached into her bag and pulled out a plastic container. “If I give this to you, am I at risk of losing a limb?”
Reid pretended to mull it over before shrugging. “The sooner you hand over the goods, the better your chance of survival.”
As soon as Reid had the container, he pulled off the top and closed his eyes. “Holy shit. Where did these come from?”
“The friend I’m staying with, Josie, her brother is a chef. He stopped by on his way to work and dropped them off.”
Reid took a bite of cinnamon roll and sagged back in his chair. “I’ve never tasted anything like this. Are there drugs in here?”
Chloe laughed. “If you think that’s good, you should try his apple pancakes with maple cream cheese sauce.”
Reid narrowed his eyes. “That’s what I smelled yesterday. I thought I was losing my mind. If you’re going to smell like this every day, we’re going to have to come to some kind of agreement.”
Chloe folded her arms over her chest. “What do you propose?”
Reid licked the icing off his fingers and closed the lid of the container. “First, even though I’m sure these two other rolls are for Drew and Greer, that’s not happening.”
Chloe started to protest, but Reid shook his head. “I will lick the tops off them now if you try to argue.” Reid lifted the container. “These do not exist.”
Chloe covered her mouth and giggled behind the sleeves of her hoodie. Reid continued to stare in silence, his brow lifted as he waited for her to answer. When she finally nodded, he continued.
“Good. Second, you have to share. And third . . .” Reid paused. “Well, there is no third. I just want in on this breakfast thing. What do you say?”
“And if I don’t?”
With narrowed eyes, Reid stared at Chloe before a devious smile curved his lips. “I’ll give you the bunk closest to the bathroom on the tour bus.”
Chloe’s nose wrinkled as a look of disgust crossed her face. “You wouldn’t.”
“How about we not find out? Breakfast for the second-best bed on the bus. Deal?”
Chloe sighed. “I’d be a fool not to take that deal.”
“Good.” Reid grinned and passed Chloe a pair of headphones. “Let’s get to work.”
For the remainder of the hour, Chloe and Reid listened to tapes and discussed possible adjustments. When it was time to head to the studio, Reid felt a twinge of disappointment. Chloe sparked a feeling of inspiration he hadn’t felt in a very long time. The reminder of how long it had been since he’d written anything other than jumbled thoughts caused Reid to frown.
“You okay?” Chloe asked as they walked to the venue across the street where they’d be rehearsing.
Reid nodded and gave Chloe a small smile. He didn’t bother to question why she’d asked. Apparently Jess wasn’t the only one who could read his tone and body language. Chloe’s steps slowed, and for a moment, Reid thought she was going to press, but instead, she fell back into step beside him.
“So what’s the plan for today?”