Grace Notes

Chapter 40

Lola's POV-

Harry asked if I wanted to stay home while he went to work, but for whatever stupid reason, I found myself going with him, anyways. Did I want to? Absolutely not. It was probably going to end up being a dumb decision, although I think I looked at it as a way to be in the same room as him with other people around so it would help dissolve the tension between us.

After a really uncomfortable car ride of silence, I was relieved when we finally pulled into the parking lot. Harry lead the way inside, letting me trail behind him a few feet.

I followed him all the way to the auditorium and into the recording booth.

"Good morning" Mr. Phillips greeted, glancing between us.

Did he know?

"Morning" Harry mumbled

"I have us set up to do some vocal recording for Watermelon Sugar"

"Cool, great"

While my boyfriend went over to stand by the microphone and put his headset on, I slipped into the sound room . Lorenzo was typing away at his computer, but stopped when he saw me come in.

"Hey" I murmured.

"Better today?" he asked.

I shrugged.

"Have you guys talked about it?"

"A little last night"

"That's it?"

"Yeah..."

"You two need to talk it out more" he shook his head. "Like hardcore"

"I know, it's just...ugh I hate confrontation"

"Most people do" he handed me a headset.

I rolled my eyes at it, really not feeling like listening to Harry singing about my orgasms right now, though nonetheless I put it on.

"Let me know when you're ready" I heard Valentino say.

"One second..." Lorenzo adjusted a few of the knobs and brought up one of his software programs onto the computer. "Alright recording in three...two...one"

"Tastes like strawberries on a summer evening. And it sounds just like a song"

I stared out the little window at Harry. For once since I had known him, he didn't seem into the lyrics at all. If this were a live performance, I would have assumed this was going to lead up to a meaning about a break up or even the death of a loved one.

"I want more berries and that summer feelin'. It's so wonderful and warm..."

"And stop" Lorenzo hit the button.

Harry looked up, his emerald eyes expectant.

"It sounds like shit" the guy beside me shook his head. "Let's do it again..."

Harry looked down, twiddling his fingers together awkwardly.

"Recording in three...two...one"

"Tastes like strawberries on a summer evening. And it sounds just like a song. I want more berries and that summer feelin'. It's so wonderful and warm...Breathe me in. Breathe me out. I don't know if I could ever go without...I'm just thinking out loud. I don't know if I could ever go without..." his voice trailed off, the music playing in the background without him accompanying it.

"And stop" Lorenzo shook his head. "Come on, Harry, don't get distracted..."

"I'm" he paused, not making eye contact through the glass. "I don't really feel like recording today"