Behind The Beat

XVI - The Ex

The day started with an unexpected hiccup. Mike had called early in the morning, his voice clipped with irritation as he explained the situation.

— Power's out at the studio, and the backup generator's fried. Looks like today's rehearsal is a no-go.

— Perfect — Val grumbled, throwing her phone onto the kitchen counter.

Rozalie sat across from her, a mug of coffee warming her hands.

— So... what now?

Val sighed, pacing the small space.

— I don't know. Guess we call it a day?

Mike chimed in from the speakerphone.

— Or you could, I don't know, take a damn break for once.

Val rolled her eyes, a small grin tugging at the corner of her lips.

— Says the guy who can't sit still for five minutes.

— Touche — Mike quipped. — Seriously, though. Do something. Relax.

Val hung up, muttering under her breath.

— Maybe he's right — Rozalie ventured cautiously.

— Don't let him hear you say that — Val shot back with a smirk. She grabbed her jacket from the back of the chair. — Come on.

— Where are we going? — Rozalie asked, startled.

— Music store. Then lunch. Consider it a productive day off.

Rozalie blinked, her coffee forgotten as Val headed for the door. She hesitated for a moment before grabbing her own jacket and following.

— You could have just said "break" — Rozalie teased as they stepped out into the crisp morning air.

— Yeah, well. Productivity keeps me sane.

Rozalie followed Val out of the music store, the faint chime of the doorbell ringing in her ears as the warm sunlight hit them. Val carried a small bag with guitar strings and picks, a faint grin tugging at her lips as she teased Rozalie about her meticulous choices.

— A soft case again, huh? — Val said, shaking her head. — You know, someday, someone's going to drop your guitar, and you're gonna wish you had a hard case.

Rozalie rolled her eyes, gripping the strap of her bag tightly.

— I like being able to carry it without feeling like I'm hauling bricks. Besides, my guitar's fine. I haven't dropped it yet.

— Yet. — Val laughed, the sound easy and warm, nudging Rozalie's arm lightly as they walked.

Rozalie couldn't help but smile. Val had a way of making the mundane feel significant, like every moment was a shared secret between them. It was one of the things Rozalie admired most about her—the way Val made the world feel lighter. She glanced down at her feet, hiding the growing warmth in her chest. It was terrifying, the way her feelings for Val were creeping in, uninvited and undeniable.

But the fragile comfort of the moment shattered with a sharp voice cutting through the air.

— Val!

The name snapped Rozalie's head up. A woman stepped out from the café across the street, her strides purposeful, her piercing gaze locked on Val. Rozalie didn't recognize her, but something about her presence screamed history—a storm Rozalie wasn't prepared for.

— Tessa. — Val said flatly. Her tone was cold, controlled, but Rozalie noticed the subtle tension in her shoulders.

Rozalie instinctively took a step back, unsure where she fit into this sudden shift in atmosphere. Tessa approached, her polished appearance—a sleek coat and perfectly styled hair—contrasting sharply with the venom in her smirk.