Night shifts black

“Supposedly. They’re supposed to call the second they roll in.”

Casey nods. “I talked to that Mara lady on my way out. She said they have a room we can use.”

“Private?” Luke asks. “We don’t need any of this leaking out.”

“She says yes. In the basement.”

Luke nods. “Ok.” He turns to me. “Can you stand watch just to make sure?”

“Can I have a black ‘Security’ t-shirt?”

Luke rolls his eyes and shoves me.

 

∞∞∞

 

Even though the equipment hasn’t arrived yet, the guys want to scope out the rehearsal space and make sure it will work. They seem impressed with the size and seclusion of the storage room Mara shows them, and her tight face actually appears to approach an outright smile at the fact that Night Shifts Black is working on their new single in the basement of her hotel.

“Let us know what you need, if there’s anything else we can get for you,” Mara gushes.

Luke glances around the room. “This is great, Mara. Probably just a small table and some chairs, I guess. Maybe a few bottles of water?”

She nods. “Absolutely, Mr. Craven. I’ll take care of that right away.”

She hesitates for another moment, as if still trying to piece together this incredible development in her head.

“Thanks, Mara. We appreciate it,” Luke says, guiding her toward the door.

She even smiles at me on her way out, and I can’t help but snicker.

“I think she’s starting to warm up to me,” I comment after she’s gone. “At the very least, accepting the fact that I will continue to exist.”

Luke laughs and shakes his head. “You’re too hard on her. Do you have any idea how many people she has to thwart on a daily basis?”

I hadn’t thought of that. “Fine. Good point,” I concede with a sigh. “Ok, well, I guess I’ll go wait for your chairs and water while you work,” I say, moving toward the door, but Casey grabs my arm.

“Not a chance,” he barks, surprising me. He smiles to lighten his tone. “You’re not our road manager, Callie. It’s not going to be like that, got it? We pay people to get us water and chairs. Not you.”

I swallow, slightly embarrassed, but mostly touched more than anything. “I know, I just…”

“You like to take care of people, and I love you for it, but we need you here, ok? This is as much your song as ours.”

I stare at him in disbelief, speechless, and then my eyes flicker to Luke who only shrugs with a grin of his own.

“He’s got a point,” Luke agrees. “Besides, our security team needs to stay with us. Things could get dicey.”

I laugh in exasperation. “Ok, ok. But I’m going to be the best darn bootleg-recording-thwarter you’ve ever seen.”

Casey extends his hand. “Deal. But only if you promise to work on more songs while you’re waiting to thwart.”

I grin and squeeze his hand. “Deal. But only if you promise to make-out with me on your breaks.”

The others roar, and Casey looks stu

“I knew there was no way you could handle her!” Sweeny laughs, smacking him on the back. “Called that.”

Casey rolls his eyes but rewards me with a grin.

 

∞∞∞

 

The trailer arrives a few hours later, and the band and small crew who delivered it get to work unloading its contents. I can tell this is second nature to them, and suspect I’ll only be interfering if I try to help, so I stand back, holding doors for the most part. Casey looks like a little kid again as he moves his toys into the storage room, and I love watching him unpack his drums from their cases. He sets to work with an expertise that shouldn’t surprise me, and yet does, once again. One day I’ll get used to his brilliance, but I think it will probably take a while.

Eli and Sweeny work on their own equipment, and even Luke joins the effort. I had wondered if they were going to send his stuff, and am happy that he seems happy they did. I can’t believe how much that trailer held, and am in shock that the large storage room now seems tiny, crammed with instruments, stands, and monitors. Eli, Luke, and Sweeny co

“It’s a pedal board,” Luke explains as I study the little blinking lights and buttons. “Listen.”

He starts to play, and I notice all kinds of changes to the sound depending on what he hits with his foot.

“Got it,” I say.

He returns to tuning and playing with his boxes as I maneuver toward Casey. Casey has his kit fully assembled now and is in the process of adjusting it when I approach.

“So this is it. You in your native habitat.”

He grins, pointing his sticks at me.

“Be prepared to be amazed.”

“I already am,” I laugh, loving his expression.

He takes a pass at his drums, and I shake my head in disbelief. If this is the warm up, I can’t even imagine what’s coming next.

Mara had kept her word, and Casey has his computer and keyboard set up on the table near him. There are also several chairs and a cart with water in a bowl of ice, as well as, fruit, crackers, and an assortment of other snacks.

I had retrieved my own laptop from the room and intend to keep up my end of the bargain as I take a seat by the door.

“So you ready to do this, or what?” Eli asks. “Sweeny and I listened to the track a bunch last night. I think we’re ready to go.”

Casey and Luke exchange a glance and a nod. “We’re ready,” Luke replies with a shrug. “Let’s run through the intro and get a quick sound check.”

Casey nods and counts off.

 

∞∞∞

 

For the first twenty minutes I don’t move. I’m sure my jaw is on the floor, although I try to disguise it as much as possible. They start and stop dozens of times, discussing and debating changes to things I thought sounded amazing. But of course, after the debate, it sounds even more amazing. I still can’t believe I’m here, witnessing history. No, being a part of history. It’s my words Luke is belting into the microphone, even though I know I never would have dreamed they could have an impact like this. Luke and Casey have turned my little poem into a masterpiece, and I can’t stop the chills coursing through me at each new surprise. I hadn’t understood Casey’s initial demo the way the others had. Now, engulfed in the real song, I’m completely speechless. And yet, Casey still doesn’t seem happy when we break for di

I had ordered food for them, at the risk of Casey’s wrath, but I didn’t think they’d want to break long enough to go out. I guessed right as Casey comes over with a weak smile.

“Thanks, Callie,” he says, grabbing a sandwich from the cart. “You didn’t have to do this.”

“Just don’t yell at me,” I tease, and he shakes his head. “You guys sound amazing,” I add, sensing his frustration.

“Yeah?” But I can tell he doesn’t agree.

I nod. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

He shrugs, and glances over at the other three who are laughing and talking. They don’t seem nearly as upset as he is. He sets down his plate and leads me outside the room.

He’s quiet for a moment, and I’m filled with concern.

“Casey, what’s wrong? Are you not happy with the song?”

“No, it’s not that. I mean, the song is going well, great actually, it’s just…” he stops, and my heart breaks at the way his face falls. I instinctively squeeze his arm, and he looks back at me, almost haunted. “This is killing me, Callie,” he whispers.

I stare at him in shock. “What is? What do you mean?”