Gemotions

Rain lashed against the car window, blurring the city lights. Liam fiddled with the radio, searching for a decent station. He’d been driving for hours, the endless highway stretching out before him like a dark ribbon. Suddenly, a familiar guitar riff cut through the static. His song. He knew the arrangement; it was his, every note, every chord. But this version, this voice...

It was a different singer, male, with a rougher edge to his vocals. Liam didn't react quickly; he simply slowed the car, letting the music play. He heard a slight, subtle change in one of the bridges. He let the song run its course.

He thought of the many small performances he'd done years before, in dive bars and dimly lit clubs. He’d sold the song to a publisher and it had disappeared into the ether. He did nothing but breathe deeply and focused on the rain as the song ended. He felt a quiet satisfaction.