Night shifts black

He pulls me hard against him and I can sense the desperation in his kiss, how much he wants this. How much he wants me. How hard it must have been to keep me at arm’s length in his misguided attempt to protect me from the person he’s not. Just the fact that he would try is all the evidence I need that he’s everything I’ve come to believe he is. I want him so much it hurts as he guides me back on the couch, our kisses, our bodies, trying to make up for lost time. I pull at his shirt, my hands gliding along his back, his arms, locking him against me while his lips trace my neck, my cheek, and back to my own. I can’t breathe. I can’t think. I just know that I’ve never felt so wanted, so satisfied.

“Casey?”

“Yeah?” he breathes.

“We’re going to be ok.”

He stops and focuses on my eyes, that grin I so crave suddenly slipping back to his face.

“You think?”

I nod. “Yeah.”

I reach up and run my fingers along his jaw, staring into his incredibly complex soul. He lowers his head and gives me another solid kiss before straightening and helping me up.

I’m not done with him yet, though, and slide my arms around his waist as his tighten around my shoulders. I just want to stand there forever, even though I know reality is going to slap us in the face soon enough. For now, however, I let myself feel safe, at peace, and yes, maybe even the slightest hint of love.

“Would you be upset if I tell them to fix the PR mess by reporting that you’re my girlfriend instead of Luke’s? No one would care then and they’ll leave you both alone.”

I lean back and glance at him in surprise. “I don’t know. It depends. Is it true?”

He seems flustered. “Um…I don’t know. Do you want it to be?”

I almost laugh. “You’re kidding, right?”

His smile is shy this time. “Well, I didn’t want to assume…I mean after being such an ass the last couple days…”

“You were,” I tease, before growing serious. “You have my permission to call it whatever you want, but you’re my choice, Casey, not Luke. Any rumors floating around about me should revolve around you.”

He bites his lip and nods, and I can tell that means a lot more to him than I can even know. I can’t imagine what it’s like to constantly live in Luke’s shadow. To love him and have to fight the nagging temptation to be jealous of him at the same time. To watch him get everything you deserve as well but will never have because labels matter. Then again, I’m not so sure Luke has anything Casey wants.

“Should we get back to the movie?” I ask, taking his hand and loving the fact that it’s mine now, too. I can’t wait to cuddle up with him without questions. No more wasted brain cells and heart beats on hesitation and speculation.

“Not yet. I have something for you,” he says, pulling away.

“Huh?”

His sheepish smile is accompanied by a casual shrug this time as he grabs the guitar.

“I got bored of the chair drama last night, so I wrote one for you.” He laughs. “Luke even helped, although he mostly just made fun of me. It was late so it’s totally stupid, but it’s all yours,” he laughs.

I freeze. Tears spring to my eyes as I stare at him in disbelief.

His face falls. “Are you upset? I’m sorry…I…”

I shake my head with a vehemence that brings back his smile, and wipe my eyes.

“Of course not! I just…thank you.”

His grin returns in full force as he lowers himself to the couch and does a quick tune. “Might want to wait on the gratitude. You didn’t even hear it yet.”

I don’t have to to know I’ll love it.

But then he starts to play the incredibly sweet and goofy song, leaving no doubt.

 

“They say I’m a rock star, baby

But that’s just what they made me

Ignore my wall of Grammys, right now I’m only yours.

 

I’m a superstar or pathetic cover, it’s all in your power, lover

You’re everything I need to know, let me be yours

 

I’m no titan, hon, a liar, maybe

I’m no one else you need to know

You unravel my maze, the light in my haze

You’re everything I need to know

 

You may drive me crazy

But when I’m with you I’m just Casey, and that’s how I know, that’s all I need to know,

I’m yours”

 

∞∞∞

 

Casey and I return to Luke, different, better, and he gives us a knowing smile when we enter hand-in-hand.

“I didn’t pause it. You’ll have to just figure out what’s going on,” Luke mutters as we take our places on the bed again, but I can tell he’s not nearly as a

I grin and shove him a bit with my shoulder. “Thanks,” I whisper, leaning close and giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

He seems surprised, but not upset, almost pleased. He returns my smile before focusing back on the screen, this time with a content expression I’ve never seen before.

 

∞∞∞

 

Casey spends several more hours on the phone that night, pacing throughout the suite, arguing with invisible opponents, nodding, cursing, shaking his head.

Luke and I order some food and watch with a mix of amusement and pity as he battles the world on our behalf. His “people” seem to be confused about why he didn’t just explain I was actually his girlfriend, and not Luke’s, the first time they talked, but he covers it well and they seem to buy his story. The rest is just a long list of warnings and instructions, repeated several times, from several consultants, in several ways.

My heart goes out to him as I see the frustration and weariness settling into his features.

“Still questioning his loyalty?” I shoot at Luke as Casey unleashes yet another exasperated iteration of the same story.

“He’s a saint, no question,” Luke agrees.

“He’s doing this for you.”

Luke shrugs. “I don’t know. You’re his girlfriend,” he teases, and I give him a mock glare.

“Seriously, you’re ok with all of that? I know maybe it’s weird.”

Luke almost looks a

I roll my eyes. “You could have given your approval without the sarcasm,” I mutter, and he grins.

“Hey, you got it, didn’t you? Anyway, if anything, my approval is more selfish than anything. It guarantees I get to keep both of you in my life.”

I squeeze his hand, wishing with all my heart he could be as happy as I am at that moment.

Then Casey hangs up the phone with a curse and slams it down on the table. I try to be appropriately sympathetic, but it’s just too insane not to laugh.

“Oh, I’m glad you guys think this is fu

“Eat something,” I say, pointing to a chair. “It’s bar food. Not a single vegetable.”

He sighs, and I know there’s a smile in there somewhere that wants to come out. There always is.

“I’ll get you a beer,” I continue, half serious and half teasing him about the last time I owed him a “thank you.”

It works, the smile breaks, and I can’t help but squeeze his arm as I pass. I’d do a lot more to cheer him up if Luke wasn’t sitting right there.

“What’d they say?” Luke asks, and I listen closely as I retrieve the beer and pop the cap.

Casey sighs again, and I hand him the bottle.

“Alright, so here’s the deal. Lawyers are pretty sure there isn’t much legal risk. The leaked footage clearly shows the restaurant manager giving you permission to take the chair. The only person endangered was Callie when you took a swipe at her, and I’m going to assume she doesn’t intend to press charges.” His face changes. “Really, man? You swung at Callie?”