Page 12 of Louder Than Words

“Jax is not cocky,” I repeat, quieter this time, rolling my eyes.

Nora smirks. “Sure. That’s totally why he strutted into the coffee shop last week like he was already headlining Madison Square Garden.”

I open my mouth to argue, but before I can, my phone buzzes on the table.

One name lights up the screen, and I quickly swipe it open.

Jaxon

Just wanted to let you know I’m thinking about you.

And just like that, my heart forgets how to beat evenly.

6

Jax

Why can’t we do the release party on Halloween instead?” James pouts, trailing after Don. “That’d be way more fun.”

Don sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose before placing both hands firmly on James’s shoulders. “Because the release party happensbeforethe release. Not the day of.”

“Oh, we should totally—”

“No.” He cuts him off, raising a finger in warning. “No Halloween costumes at the party.”

James slaps his hands against his thighs and gapes at him. “Do you wake up every morning and choose to ruin joy, or is it just instinct at this point?”

I take my phone from my pocket to text Allie the details, but the second it connects with my hand, the guilt starts to gnaw at me for not even telling her we’re done recording until now. It really wasn’t intentional, but with everything going on, it justslipped my mind. Now here I am, texting her about it like it’s not a huge deal.

Hey… I know I should have told you sooner, or even in person, but it doesn’t look like that’ll happen in time. Things blew up with the label and they moved up the release date.The release party is on Oct 30 @ 7 The Wren House, Boston.

Can I pick you up the night before?

“Oh, come on, Don. Ditch the band manager hat for like two seconds and let the boy wear his costume,” Desmond calls from across the room.

I glance up just as he walks over, tall and built like a linebacker, though he mostly uses that strength to mess with James. His daily-too-bright hoodie—the one that looks like a bloody highlighter—stands out even more against his rich brown skin under the kitchen light, and his wild curls are half-flattened from the headphones now hanging around his neck.

He goes straight for James’s cheeks like an annoying older brother—until James slaps his hands away.

“Ay, don’t touch me with your grubby hands,” James snaps, nose wrinkling. “God knows where they’ve been.”

Desmond grins, completely unfazed. “Wouldn’t you love to find out?”

He moves to mess with James again—

“Alright, you two,” I interrupt. They freeze, hands in the air like someone hit pause. “Enough. We can do something the day after since it’ll be actual Halloween. We’ll even still be at the hotel.”

James lights up immediately. “Are Allie and Ana coming?” he asks, practically bouncing on his heels now.

Not sure why he’s askingme, since he and Ana still talk day in and day out. He probably already knows she’s in. Allie, on the other hand…

“I hope so,” I say quietly. “It’s something we’ll have to figure out. But I’m sure she’ll try.”

Desmond leans back, lifting his beer and watching me over the rim as he takes a long pull. “Are you and Allie that couple who wear matching costumes?”

“Oh, they totally are,” James says, grinning.

I frown and shove his arm. “We arenot,” I reply, maybe a little too defensively.