After waking up in my arms yesterday, Mia's been acting weird.

She got up and went about her day as if nothing had happened. Which was okay with me if she didn't want to talk about it, but I needed to know if she's weird because of us cuddling or if it's because she's been thinking about her mom, and she was silently hoping I wouldn't ask about it again.

"Oh gosh, Grey! I can't find a scrunchie!" Mia said, running out of the bathroom, holding her hair up in a ponytail with one hand. "I'm going to be late on my first day, and I'm going to get fi-AHHH!!" she squealed as she stumbled over my guitar case that I had accidentally left lying on the ground in front of the couch. I took it out of my room, so the guys won't trip over it when my furniture gets delivered later today.

"MIA! Jeez! Are you okay?" I ran over to her aid.

Mia sat up, looking at me through the strands of hair that had fallen in front of her face. She huffed out a breath, blowing a few strands away as she glared at me.

Her finger angrily pointed at my guitar case and said, "Why did you even bring that thing? You barely play it anymore!"

I looked over at it as if I had to remind myself what she was talking about and shrugged. "I figured this summer is as good a time as any to pick it back up again. Maybe, I'll even pay at open mic tonight." I smiled, attempting to lighten her anger a bit.

"No, you won't. You've never played anything in public." She had a point there.

"But I think I could if I want to."

Mia looked unconvinced.

"Do you dare me to?" I asked. If she said yes, then I knew I wouldn't back down. I'd come through on my word.

"I double-dog dare you to get in front of all those people and embarrass yourself since you haven't picked up a guitar in... what? Over two years." She held up two fingers for extra emphasis.

That was pretty close to the last time I played anything on my guitar. I got busy with other hobbies, nothing new there.

I guffawed at her lack of faith in me. "You think I'll look stupid up there and get stage fright or something?"

She smiled sweetly. Too sweetly. "Yes. That's exactly what I think might happen. You don't even like all that attention on you. I don't know how you made it as a street racer with everyone always watching you on the track."

"Never mind that." I flitted my hand in the air. "Musical talent like this just doesn't disappear, Mia," I told her.

Mia snorted.

I ignored it and continued, "That being said, you're on! You know I never back down from a dare." I grinned.

She rolled her eyes as if annoyed by me. "Trust me, you don't have to remind me," she scoffed.

Moving back to the problem at hand. "You okay?" I asked, helping her up.

Mia hopped on one leg, holding onto my arm for support. "I'm pretty sure. My toe is throbbing." She winced.

"Let me take a look at it." I scooped her up in my arms, and to my surprise, she didn't complain this one time.

I rested her on the couch then sat on the ottoman in front of her. Reaching for her foot, I placed it in my lap and examined it. "Your toe is red, but it's not bleeding, which is good. It might swell up later or show some slight bruising. I hope not, though." I rubbed her foot softly. "Do you think you'll be able to stand on it today and walk around?"

She removed her foot from my lap. "Yup. I'll be fine." She launched to her feet, and I saw her bite down on her bottom lip, trying to ignore the slight pain.

"Maybe you should ask if you can start," I began to suggest, but she cut me off.

"Nope. I'm starting today. I got this! I'll be fine."

So stubborn.

I watched Mia hobble over to her handbag and pulled out a scrunchie. Without looking in a mirror, she combed her hands through her hair and made a high ponytail.

"How do I look?" She turned to me. Her hair was neatly pulled back, she was wearing these small gold hoops with no make-up on, and just a hint of what I knew was strawberry gloss. Don't ask me how I knew that.

The café only made the employees wear their black or navy t-shirts with the logo on the front shirt pocket as part of their uniform, and they're allowed to wear whatever they want on the bottom. So Mia was wearing dark jeans with cutouts by the knees.

"You look great like you're ready to work."

"Okay, cool." She smiled, happy with my response.

I observed the way she moved around the living room. She grabbed her handbag and walked to the front door. She was trying not to put too much weight on her injured toe, but she was failing.

I sighed. "Mia." I wanted to try to talk her out of going to work again.

"I don't want to hear it, Greyson," she mumbled, slipping on her sneakers.

"Why are you forcing this?"

"Because I can handle it," she fired back.

Pinching the bridge of my nose and closed my eyes in frustration.

This was more proof that she hasn't been herself. She was hurt, but she refused to listen to me. She spent all day in her room yesterday and only came out when she was hungry, had to shower, and or use the toilet.

I knew she was trying to avoid me. Now, this confirmed it. She desperately wanted this little time away from me. But why?

"What's going on with you?" I blurted out without meaning to.

Her eyes focused on the ground. "Nothing," she said, shaking her head.

"You-"

"Can you just please let it go. I'm going to be late." She gave me that doughy brown-eyed look, and I caved.

"Fine," I said, but I wasn't happy about it. "But let me drive you over."

The café was only a few streets down, but I didn't want her walking on her feet more than she had to.

"Alright. Thank you," Mia said with a breath of relief.

A few minutes later, I pulled up in the parking lot across the street and helped Mia out the passenger side.

I was still five seconds away from saying to hell with all her adamancy and take off with her while I still can.

"You're ridiculous," Mia whisper-yelled.

"I'm obviously more worried about your well-being than you are," I told her.

When I walked her inside, I looked around. It didn't look super busy, so maybe she wouldn't have to push herself today.

"I'm going to clock in," Mia said, eager to leave my side.

"Okay, I'll just head on out then." I hitched a thumb over my shoulder. "Have a great first day." I brought her into a hug. She stood stiffly in my arms before she relaxed and hugged me back.

Whatever is happening with us, I'm going to fix this tonight. I promised myself.

Mia was walking through the "Employees Only" door just as Freya was coming out. They said a quick greeting, and then Freya saw me.

"Hey, Greyson. Can I get you something?" she asked politely.

"Um..." I looked at all the treats in front of me. While I was here, how could I not grab something? "I'll just take a cheese Danish, please."

"Sure thing." I watched her grab it for me and put it in a paper bag before ringing me up.

I leaned over the counter as she gave me the receipt.

"Hey," I whispered, eyeing the employee entrance in case Mia popped out.

"What's up?" She eyed me suspiciously.

"Don't mention this to Mia, but she stubbed her toe earlier. It kind of hurt, but she insisted on coming in anyway, even though she's been hobbling on and off."

Freya's eyes went wide with concern. "Oh no..."

"Like I said, don't mention it. But if you could keep Mia in one place today instead of having her moving around, I think that would help her a lot."

She nodded. "Yes. Of course. We'll just keep her behind the counter. She won't have to wait on any tables or anything. We have enough people coming in to handle that part."

Relieved, I gave her a grateful smile. "Thank you."

"Don't worry about it." Freya smiled back.

I picked up my snack and waved goodbye as I headed out the door.

I would have loved to stick around for a little bit. But the furniture delivery was coming in about an hour. Plus, I'd be back this evening to pick up Mia.

All the furniture was moved in, and now the place was starting to feel homey.

When I checked the time, I realized Mia's shift ended in two hours, and the open mic should have already started by now. I grabbed my guitar case and headed out.

I decided to go to the café at a perfect time because after I and a few others managed to grab a table, a line started to form outside the door.

Some people were just coming in for a drink and or bakery item, while others were here to dine in and watch the upcoming performances-myself being one of them.

Mia hadn't noticed my arrival. She was too busy working the bakery. I watched her politely smile at a few customers and laugh at something funny. I could tell she would like working here, and she seemed to be killing it already.

Then I wondered how her foot was holding up. Mia doesn't appear to be hobbling or anything. Well, not from where I could see her.

"Excuse me." Everyone's attention turned to this young woman on stage. "Oh, great. This is working," she spoke into the mic. "Open mic will begin very soon. We currently have two performers on the list so far, and I want to ask if anyone else would like to sign up. They can write their names on the list upfront with the hostess named Holly. By the way, there's no cut-off time or anything. And in case you didn't know, the open mic doesn't have to be singing or playing music. You can read poetry or do standup comedy if you'd like. Lastly, we will have an open mic right up until closing. Thank you," she said with a firm nod as she scurried off the stage.

I had signed up the minute I walked in. Even though I knew for the past few hours that I was going to do this. What I didn't know was what I was going to sing. I was hoping to maybe go with my feelings, but that's not helping.

"Hi, can I get you something?" I grinned as soon as I heard her voice.

I looked up, and there she was, holding a notepad and pen in her hands, looking all professional and cute.

Mia smiled down at me. "Are you ready to order?" she asked.

Was she planning on treating me like any other customer? Okay, I'll play along.

"Sure. I'll just have an iced Americano for now," I told her.

I figured I'd have a meal after my performance.

"No problem," she said, not bothering to write down my order after all.

I watched her walk off, and I saw it-that moment where her footstep had faltered, and she transferred her weight onto the uninjured foot.

It still hurts. I was going to make her ice it when we got home.

"Mic check, testing 1, 2." A blonde guy said on stage. He looked like he could be in his early 20's if not younger, so did the rest of his bandmates.

The whole group was wearing dark jeans and plain colored t-shirts.

"Hi, some of you may know us formally by another group name but were no longer associated with that group and have decided to pave our own way. So hello, we're 'Save the Knights', and we'll be doing an instrumental cover of Secrets by OneRepublic."

All eyes were on them as the main guy picked up his violin and started. The other guy on the left came in with the keyboard melody and then lastly, the drums.

Somewhere in the middle of the performance, Mia had dropped off my drink and a coffee roll that I didn't ask for but was grateful to get anyways because I never said no to pastries.

Hearing these guys play took me by surprise. They weren't what I expected. If they had a lead singer, they could go off and get a record deal somewhere.

When they finished the last chord, the crowd was going nuts.

I was left to wonder how I would be able to top that but here goes nothing.

I picked up my guitar and made my way over to the stage as the guys were packing up their instruments.

"Good luck, man," the drummer said, patting me on my shoulder.

"Thanks," I said, trying to keep my nerves under control.

Opening my guitar case, I took out my old friend and smiled. This guitar had been one of my dad's. There are four more in the music room back at our house.

My mom and I didn't venture in there much. And we haven't tried to move or touch anything. Stepping into that room felt and looked like a time capsule. Just being in there made me feel like my dad would just come rushing through the doors again.

I was aware of the impossibility, and I knew that sounded crazy, but I couldn't help it. That was the one place that his death hasn't seemed to touch.

With the guitar in my hands, I sat on the barstool. The spotlight was pretty much on me, and it was dead silent. I spotted Mia by the bakery register as she handed a customer their receipt.

I couldn't be sure if she saw me walk up or what. But when I doubled tap the mic and cleared my throat, her head snapped up, and our gazes locked.

I grinned and gave her one of my infamous winks.

"Evening, everyone. My name's Greyson. I'm an amateur guitarist and singer. It's my first time playing in front of a crowd. So please be kind and try not to boo me off the stage." I heard a couple of chuckles. "Hmm... I think I'll do an acoustic cover of "Call you mine" by The Chainsmokers featuring Bebe Rexha." Of course, that song choice was last minute. I wanted to go with the flow.

Mia was obsessed with that song at the moment.

I haven't had much time to practice today, but I should be fine either way. Hopefully, fingers crossed.

I closed my eyes and started strumming the chords as I let the words flow from my lips.

I'd be lying if I said my heart wasn't beating out of my chest. The last thing anyone wanted was to make a fool of themselves in front of a large crowd, but I tried not to think about that.

I didn't miss a beat, and my voice hit all the notes perfectly like this was the most natural and easiest thing for me to do. And I loved every minute of this feeling.

When I finished the song, I opened my eyes, scanning the faces in the crowd. Everyone was silent for a second until they launched to their feet with applause.

My eyes found Mia's, and I watched her mouth the words "Not bad" as she did a slow clap while Freya was jumping and down, clapping excitedly next to her.

"Encore!" someone yelled from the audience.

"Umm." I scratched the back of my neck.

"Sing another song!" Another person yelled.

I sighed. "Okay, sure. Any requests?"

Four songs later, and I had to tell everyone I wanted to call it a night. I'd never sung that much in my life, and all their love humbled me, and I thanked the audience for their warm welcome.

I packed up my guitar and walked through the sea of people. I got compliments from left to right. At this point, the exponential growth rate of my ego will take the roof of this place.

I placed my guitar next to the counter by the bakery. "Do you mind keeping an eye on this for me? I'm just going to use the men's room," I asked Freya. Mia wasn't behind the counter, so she must be in the kitchen.

"Yeah, no problem. Great performance, by the way. I would have never guessed that you could sing like that. You have so much talent that you could do it professionally," Freya told me.

I shook my head. "I don't know about that. This was always a hobby for me."

"And now I'm telling you it should be something to think about and be taken seriously as a potential career choice." Freya pointed to herself. "I have an eye for these things."

"I'll give it some thought."

Freya nodded, "That's all I ask." Then she got back to work.

When I was leaving the men's room, I got flanked by two guys. Then the third popped up in front of me. It was the guys of Save the Knights.

"Hey?" I said to them, my voice laced with both caution and curiosity.

"Sorry, dude. We didn't mean to ambush you like this, but we definitely didn't want anybody else to pick you up before we did. Hi, I'm Dean." The violinist stuck his hand out for me to shake.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Grey." I shook his hand.

"The shrimp next to you is Tatum." I looked down to my right as he stepped away from me to stand next to Dean.

Tatum just gave a solitary wave and said, "Hello." I recognized him as the keyboardist.

The last guy turned to me and held his hand out. "I'm Tobias." He was the drummer. I shook his hand too.

"So, what can I do for you guys?" I asked, my eyes shifting from one to the next.

"Well..." Dean rocked back and forth on his feet. "We were wondering if you'd like to audition for our band. I don't know if you'd noticed but we sort of... kind of ... need a lead singer."

"Okay," I drawled the word.

"So you'll audition?" Tatum spoke up first.

"I don't know. This music stuff is all for fun. I can't see myself taking it seriously."

I couldn't see myself walking in my father's footsteps.

"Could you at least consider it?" Tobias asked kindly.

"Yeah, just come to one practice tomorrow and see how it goes. You don't even have to become a permanent member if you don't want to. You could just do some shows for the summer with us. Our lead singer bailed on us, and we haven't canceled our upcoming summer gigs yet because we promised we would find someone better," Dean added.

I threw a hand over my chest. "And you think that I could be that someone?" I asked incredulously.

"Yup," one said.

"Uh, huh."

"Without a doubt," They all chimed in at once.

"Um..." I didn't want to turn these guys down. I'd feel bad, considering they seemed pretty cool. But if I thought about it, other than moving into the apartment with Mia, I hadn't made any other summer plans. This could keep me busy while Mia was working. Getting to play music all day wouldn't feel like a chore either.

"Just for the summer?" I needed verification.

"Yup. Just for the summer. Unless you decide that you want to stick around a little longer than that," Dean said, with a single hand clap.

I chuckled. "Let's get through the summer first."

We exchanged numbers, and they said they'll text me in the morning with more details.

I couldn't wait to tell Mia about this.