“And all I can do is say that these arms are made for holding you And I want a love like you made me feel When we were 18…”

Our new song, ‘18’ slowly comes to a close. I sit across from you on the floor of my current hotel room, but I don’t look at you. It’s vulnerable enough playing a song that you wrote. It’s even more so when you’re playing a song in front of the person it’s written about.

The band needed a love song for this album, so of course they turned to me. The song came to me naturally, like no other songwriting session has done before. It’s like the words couldn’t stop tumbling from my mouth.

It wasn’t until the song was fully written that I’d realized I’d been writing about you the entire time.

We’ve known each other for a few years, back since were, well, 18. But our relationship has never been classified as serious. We casually hook up from time to time. When we’re in the same city and are both not in relationships, I can always count on having a fun night with you. A true ‘friends with benefits’ situation.

That’s all it’s ever been—to my dismay.

I’ve always forced myself to push away the idea of wanting more with you. Wrong timing, too busy, not ready; I’ve used every excuse. But, now I know that that’s all they were. Excuses. Trying to convince myself that I don’t want more, when really… It’s all I want.

That’s why I’m playing this demo for you. So you can finally know. So you can make or break this.

As the final note strums, I chance a look in your direction. The last thing I expect to find is tears streaming down your face.

Oh, god. You don’t feel the same. I’ve just made a total ass of myself. I’m gonna lose you for good now. What have I done?!

I need to get out of here before you can tell me how you really feel. I can’t stand to wait for you to break my heart.