Melody of the Heart Read Online Free PDF Page B

jerked up before he whirled around. A broad smile lit up his handsome face. He held up a finger before turning back to the guys. After they exchanged a few words, he came to the edge and hopped down. “I’m glad you made it. I was afraid you might’ve backed out.”
    “And miss hearing you play?” I shook my head. “Never.”
    He chuckled. “I’m glad to hear it.”
    “Yo, Vanderburg. Get your ass back up here,” one of the guys called from the stage.
    Brayden grimaced. “Listen, I’m sorry, but I have to go finish setting up. But I’ll catch you after, okay?”
    “Of course. I’m holding you your promise to buy me some dinner.”
    He grinned. “I’m a man of my word, I promise.” He then surprised me by leaning in and kissing me on the cheek. “See you later.”
    “Okay,” I murmured breathlessly. Just the simple touch of his lips on my skin had me enflamed. I knew in that moment I wouldn’t have anything to worry about when it came to Brayden being a shitty kisser. I knew he would be able to make my toes curl. 
    I remained by the stage as the guys hurried around getting everything ready. From time to time, Brayden would meet my gaze, and he would wink or smile at me. I felt like I was in heaven.
    “Well, hello again,” a voice said behind me.
    I instantly recognized it belonged to Brayden’s jerk cousin, Mitch. Reluctantly, I turned around and gave him a smile. “Hi.”
    “I didn’t think I was going to know anyone here.” He flashed me a wolfish smile. “I’m glad the one person I know turned out to be so fucking pretty.”
    “You’re such a flatterer,” I responded sarcastically.
    “Now don’t be that way, Lily. If you and Brayden get serious, we’ll practically be family.”
    “Shouldn’t family not hit on each other?”
    He laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind for later on.”
    Before I could respond with some smart remark, a screech came over the microphone. I turned my attention away from Mitch and put it back where it belonged on Brayden. My heart stopped and then restarted at the sight of him. With his guitar strapped over his shoulder and with the stage lights coming down on him, he had been transformed. He looked every bit the rocker.
    A tall, blond-headed guy with a major ego stood in front of the microphone. “Thanks for coming out to the party. We’re the Benders. I’m Tom. That’s Raul on bass, and Grayson on drums.” His lips curled into a smirk at the pleasurable female shrieking. “So, how the fuck are you tonight?”
    The crowd roared in response to the question. Tom nodded in approval. “I hope you all came to rock tonight. First up, we’ve got a special guest who is going to be playing and singing lead on two songs. Let us know what you think, and we may give the sad little fuck a place in the band.”
    My gaze went from Tom to Brayden. His face flushed at Tom’s words, but he managed to wave to the crowd. When Tom motioned Brayden to the microphone, he didn’t hesitate. Instead, he strode confidently up there. “Hey guys, I’m Brayden. Hope you like what I have to play and sing tonight. I thought we’d start off with some Green Day and When I Come Around .”
    The applause around me was somewhat more subdued than when Tom was up. Cupping my hands around my mouth, I screamed his name. As he adjusted his guitar and pick, he grinned at me. “Two, three, four,” he said. Then he strummed the opening chords of the song. The loud amps blared the music as the drummer came in.
    “I heard you crying loud all the way across town…” Brayden sang into the microphone. Like being hit by a lightning bolt, I immediately fell in love with his voice. Even though the song didn’t call for it, his voice had a deep and soulful quality. I couldn’t believe that until the last six months of his life he hadn’t been singing, least of all playing the guitar. He had such a natural talent for both.
    When it came time for the guitar solo, Brayden totally nailed it. The