Night shifts black

The instrument is a beaten mess, which surprises me. I’d expected a star of his caliber to require newer, flashier equipment, but apparently the instrument that “goes with him everywhere” has gone with him for many, many years to many, many places.

Casey barely even acknowledges him as he rips the guitar from his hands and starts tuning. Luke doesn’t seem upset, however, and appears amused more than anything. I wonder if they’re simply accustomed to this kind of rabid exploration of an idea from each other.

“Well, you kids have fun. I’m go

I doubt Casey even hears him.

I watch Luke until he disappears, then turn back to Casey who finally seems satisfied with his tuning. He closes his eyes and nods his head as if counting to himself, and I’m fascinated at the glimpse of his own genius at work.

His fingers wrap around the neck of the guitar with a familiar comfort that makes it obvious he spends a lot of time in this position. He starts strumming, his eyes still sca

Finally, he seems satisfied with something that makes sense in his head, but I have yet to hear beyond it.

I don’t even get an intro or explanation before he starts playing an actual song, my words co

Casey has a good voice. Not as unique as Luke’s, but good enough that any lesser band would probably be happy to have him as their own frontman. I doubt he’d agree with me, but I’m surprised by his confidence. I guess I shouldn’t be. I’m witnessing a superstar doing what made him a superstar.

He stops and takes in a deep breath before meeting my gaze with an uncertain expression, the confidence suddenly gone. I’m startled by it, the open vulnerability of someone who should be invincible.

“That was amazing. I never thought my words could sound like that,” I breathe, stuck in all kinds of awe at the moment. Of Casey. Of me. Of what we just created together.

I thought I’d gotten used to Casey’s grins. He shares them often enough, but this is a new one. He seems almost transcended as he nods and opens his own notebook. He scribbles for several minutes. Stopping, thinking, scribbling again. Every so often he’ll play through some chords, humming to himself, muttering something, then return to the notebook.

I wonder again if he even remembers I’m here. He hasn’t acknowledged me in a long time, when suddenly, he stops and gives me a direct stare, almost startled.

“You need to go back to your place, wherever that is, and get your laptop.”

This time I know what he’s thinking. I’m not even going to bother with the familiar line of insecure questioning.

“Are you sure?” I ask, still concerned this can’t possibly be happening.

He nods. “Positive. Get it now.” I continue to hesitate. “Go!”

And I rise with a grin of my own.

 

∞∞∞

 

By the time I return to the suite, Casey and Luke are seated at the table, containers of food half-empty, and a clean plate at the open spot. They look up when I approach, and Luke waves me over.

“Thai,” he explains.

“With your hangover?” I ask in disbelief.

He just shrugs with a grin. “Burns away the alcohol?”

“What, so she has a key now?” Casey asks, interrupting our greeting.

“She’s here all the time anyway. I gave her the guest room.”

Casey studies us for a moment, and I swear I can see his expression fall. I don’t know what it means, but my pulse starts to pound as it occurs to me he might be jealous. Could that even be possible? No, of course not. He just thinks it means something different than it does and is mad that I broke my promise not to fall in love with Luke. I can’t exactly explain that to him at the moment, however, so I just drop my bag and take my seat.

“It’s more convenient, that’s all,” I offer quickly.

I can feel his gaze, but I’m not ready to meet it and start filling my plate with food.

“Did you bring your laptop?” he asks, changing the subject, but his voice is different now. Some of the magic is gone, and I finally dare a glance in his direction. His eyes…I look away again.

“Got it.”

“Ok, good.”

“Heard you working on something,” Luke comments. “Sounded pretty good.”

Casey nods, but doesn’t seem as pleased as I would have thought. “Yeah. Got a call from TJ today…” His voice trails off, and they exchange a knowing look.

“I’m surprised they weren’t on your case sooner,” Luke says.

“They’ve been bugging me, but this was the first ‘do or die’ call.”

“What do they want?”

Casey studies him for a moment, and I wonder if he’s surprised Luke’s still engaged in the discussion at this point. I know I am.

 “New tour in four months with at least three new tracks.”

Luke smirks. “Got tired of waiting, I guess.”

“I’d love your help, man.”

Luke doesn’t respond and only stares at his plate. “Yeah, well, that’s not my thing anymore.” And there it is. The leg positioned clear of the table, the knee at attention. He’s about to run.

“I know, but maybe if…”

“Alright, well, I know I’m full. What about you guys?” Luke cuts in, disappearing from his half-eaten plate before either of us can respond.

Familiar ending to any meal with Luke Craven.

Casey curses and shoves his own chair back in frustration. He doesn’t move, however, and just sits in silence, lost in thought.

“You ok?” I ask, and he turns on me with a fire I haven’t seen from him before.

“You’re living with him? Why didn’t you tell me you two hooked up? Don’t you think you should have led with that?”

My eyes widen in shock. “What? Whoa, wait a second. We didn’t hook up.”

“No? But you moved in?”

“It’s not like that! I mean, I know what it sounds like, but it’s not!”

I lean forward, suddenly terrified at the thought of losing him, maybe even more than I ever was of losing Luke. I’m startled by the thought. Disturbed.

“I didn’t move in, I just keep some stuff here in case it gets late. Come on, you know he’s not ready for a real relationship. I know you know that better than anyone!”

He studies me, considering my testimony, and I let every ounce of my soul pour onto my face. I need him to believe me for some reason.

“He’s not, you know,” he states finally in a calm voice, and I’m actually able to breathe again. “I’m not sure if he’ll ever be. I warned you about that from the begi

I lean toward him in earnest. “I know that, trust me. I’ll admit in the begi

He’s still evaluating, I can tell, but I keep meeting his gaze, forcing him to give me a fair chance.

Finally, he sighs and shakes head. “God, I’m sorry, Callie. It’s just…” He stops and tries to collect his thoughts. “They all fall for him. Every single one. How can they not? I’m not saying he does it on purpose. Maybe sometimes, but mostly he just doesn’t realize the effect he has. But I know where he’s at right now, and you will get hurt. I know you will.”

“I know. Seriously, Casey, I know, ok? It’s not like that. I don’t have those kinds of feelings for him anymore.”

No one is more surprised than I am that I can make that statement with confidence for the first time. I swallow, feeling free somehow. It makes me brave. Or stupid. Both?