Night shifts black

They set him up in an iso booth, and Jon tells Carl to make sure he gets a Neuma

“He’s clipping,” Jon mutters to himself during the sound check, and makes some adjustments on the console. “Hey, Luke, I think we got it now. You ready?”

“Ready.”

For the first time that day, the entire band is gathered in the control room to watch. I’m not surprised, and can feel the anticipation in the air. Most of us thought this day would never come, and if they knew half of what Casey and I do, they’d understand the full extent of this miracle. There’s a ghost in that iso booth, stealing magic from a second chance he never dreamed he’d have. A month ago, sure he wouldn’t. I promise myself I won’t cry, but when Casey grabs my hand and squeezes, I know it’s going to be a difficult battle. He’s thinking the same thing I am, and I can’t look at him out of fear I’ll lose it.

Jon starts the track, and Luke takes over. From the second he starts singing, the song becomes his. It doesn’t matter that Casey and I wrote it, Luke now owns it, and I finally have to steal a glance at Casey’s face. He looks mesmerized, completely transported to a different time and place, and it melts my heart.

“That’s it, isn’t it?” I whisper when the song finishes. “That’s what was in your head.”

He almost seems dazed and meets my eyes.

“That was it.”

Luke and Jon are exchanging words, but I can’t even hear them. I’m too caught up in the moment, thrilled for Casey, for Luke, for the world that’s going to be blessed with this additional contribution to its rich tapestry of art. This piece of history that had no business being created, but has now somehow transformed several lives.

“You did this, Callie,” Casey whispers, tears in his eyes. “Don’t ever tell me you’re no one.”

Speechless, I swallow hard, and gaze back at the booth.

 

∞∞∞

 

It’s a long day for them, but completely overwhelming for me. Every second, every experience, was so rich and saturated that my brain seems ready to explode by the time they wrap up the session.

Jon plays the track one last time for us, and I think it sounds amazing, but apparently it’s not even done. They still have to mix and master it, although not today. The guys want to celebrate, and even my exhausted brain can appreciate why that would be a necessary conclusion to this incredible day.

“We don’t have to stay long,” Casey assures me as the car pulls up to the entrance of a club. There’s a long line snaked to the door, but Eli and Sweeny don’t seem deterred in the least as they saunter toward the entrance.

“You sure you’re up for this?” I ask Luke as we climb out of the car, and am surprised when he smiles at me.

“No, probably not, but it’s kind of mandatory, huh?” he asks with a knowing glint. He understands I’m as (not) excited about this as he is.

The bouncers let us in without even a second of hesitation, and I wonder how everyone else on the planet is able to recognize these guys except for me. No wonder they found my ignorance so amusing.

Casey seems uncomfortable for some reason, and I see him constantly glancing at Luke. I do as well, and notice he’s stiffened quite a bit, a huge change from his smile just a moment ago.

“It’s not the same club as that night,” Casey whispers, leaning close to my ear so I can hear him. “But it’s similar.”

I meet his gaze, concerned, then look back to Luke. “Should we go?” I ask Casey, suddenly terrified for some reason. “Is he ready for this?”

“I don’t know. We need to keep an eye on him.”

We’re both studying Luke now, and relax a bit when he requests a table. The club is packed, so I’d be shocked if they have any available, but the hostess consults with some colleagues, and before I know it, we’re being led past more security and up a set of stairs to a secluded balcony. There are maybe five other tables surrounded by couches up here, and the hostess shows us to the empty one.

“Please let us know what you need,” she says, and Sweeny recites a surprisingly extensive list.

She smiles and promises to have that sent right up.

“You good?” I ask Luke, dropping beside him.

He gives me a weak look. “I don’t know yet,” he says, staring through the railing at the packed dance floor below.

I loop my arm through his and lean against his shoulder.

“We got you, kid,” I say, and can feel him relax.

I sense Casey’s gaze and reach over with my other hand to grab his. He squeezes back, and the three of us sit in silence while Eli and Sweeny take off to one of the other tables.

“You know them?” I ask, and cringe at Luke and Casey’s amused grins.

“Do you not have any relationship with pop culture? Like, at all?” Casey asks in disbelief.

I shrug with a sheepish smile, and he shakes his head.

“That’s Andis Carver and Kendra Malkin, hon,” Luke explains, his expression mirroring Casey’s.

My jaw drops. “Wait, the real Andis Carver and Kendra Malkin? Like, the movie stars?”

Luke laughs. “Yes, the movie stars.”

“Wow. I can’t believe I’m ten feet away from them!”

I can feel Casey and Luke’s looks of disbelief and turn to them defensively. “What?”

“What?” Casey asks in exasperation.

Luke is laughing so hard now, I don’t know what to do except stare in utter confusion. Casey is just shaking his head, obviously just as confused by me.

“What?” I repeat, totally lost.

“Callie! You’re best friends with Luke Craven, freakin’ dating Casey Barrett, superstars from rock sensation Night Shifts Black, and what finally impresses you is that you’re at the same club as Andis Carver?” Casey cries.

I laugh, finally starting to understand, and shrug with a grin. “I suppose I can see your point…” I grab a napkin and hold it up. “So does that mean I’m not allowed to ask for an autograph?” I tease, and Casey pulls me down and kisses me instead. I giggle and settle against him.

“No autographs,” he mutters, and I can actually feel the moment when he rolls his eyes.

 

∞∞∞

 

Luke, Casey, and I spend our entire time at the table laughing and talking. It actually turns out to be a fun night, definitely more than I expected when we pulled up, and despite the potentially awkward start, even Luke seems relaxed and in good spirits when we leave. As usual, we lost Eli and Sweeny somewhere along the way, so the three of us return to the suite alone.

“How you feeling, rock star?” I ask Luke, after we’re safely back in 403.

He smiles at me. “Good. Better than I thought I would, if I’m honest.”

“Yeah? Good. I’m glad.”

I give him a quick hug, then take Casey’s hands.

“And what about you, my super famous and disgustingly talented boyfriend?”

He shakes his head with that signature Casey Barrett grin. “Knock it off. We get it. You. Don’t. Care.”

I shrug. “Well, I mean, maybe I would if you’d been in a few B movies and almost got nominated for an Oscar a decade ago.”

“I have an Oscar, sweetheart,” he returns, and I laugh.

“Point, Barrett,” Luke calls from the fridge. “You two want anything while I’m here?”

I squeeze Casey’s hands and lead him toward the couch. “Just water for me. How about a movie, guys?”

Casey nods. “I’m in. Luke?”

“Depends. You lovebirds aren’t going to make-out the whole time, are you?” he mutters, and I smirk.

“I don’t know. Casey’s mad at me, so you’re probably safe.”

Casey shakes his head, and I laugh as he wrestles me to the couch.