Across the room, Theo gets up, pockets his phone and grabs a bag that’s under the table. He makes his way to the door, bag slung over his shoulder, but stops right in front of Calvin. “Cal. I’m heading off.”
“Okay,” Calvin says.
Theo must take offense at how passively Calvin says it, or at how he doesn’t even look in his direction, because his expression twists.
Strangely, Calvin doesn’t notice the shift in Theo’s mood until he says, voice low, “What the hell, Calvin?”
“Huh?” Calvin, startled, looks up at him. His eyebrows crease, and Miles sees the exact moment his mood shifts as well. “What?”
“You can’t be serious,” Theo says, tensely. “Unbelievable.” He raises his hands, exasperated, and makes for the door. From across the room, Derrick groans.
Calvin curses under his breath. He closes his eyes and takes a deep exhale, then he follows Theo outside, leaving both Gabby and Miles stunned.
“Don’t make a scene here!” Derrick shouts. He rushes after them, clearly annoyed.
“What the heck?” Gabby mouths.
A second later, the door to the back opens and Chase and Gil come barreling out.
Chase looks around. “Where is everyone?”
When Gabby points outside, Chase lifts a dark curtain and peeks out. With a grimace, he says, “There they go again.”
“What?” asks Gil, not sounding pleased.
He opens the curtain a bit more and Miles can’t help but strain his neck to get a look. While all they can see is Theo’s back, Calvin is facing the bus and has a blank expression. Derrick’s some distance away, talking to their fans, who are still around, trying to keep them away from the two band members.
Gil pulls Chase away from the curtains. It closes and they lose sight of the tense conversation happening outside. Grumbling, Chase sits back and crosses his arms like a petulant child.
Not long after, the bus door opens and Calvin gets on. He looks exhausted, and he stands by the door, massaging his temples.
“You good, Cal?” Gil asks.
“Yeah,” he says. He sounds defeated, and Miles hates it. A few minutes ago, he actually seemed happy to see them. Calvin had been smiling while talking to Miles and Gabby, and now he’s barely looking in their direction.
“Soooo.” Chase flounders his hands in the air dramatically. “We’re going to head to the artist’s lounge to get some drinks and food. Are you all joining us? Miles? Gabby?”
“Um…” Miles blinks at Calvin. It doesn’t seem as if he’s paying attention. Hanging out with the band should be an exciting idea, but whatever’s going on with Calvin, it doesn’t look good.
“Cal?” Gil prompts.
Calvin startles. He stands straighter and blinks, and he looks around as if he’s only just realizing where he is. “Yeah. Okay.”
“Awesome.” Chase jumps up and heads out the door.
Instead of following him, Gil pulls Calvin aside before he can head outside.
“Are you okay?” Gil asks Calvin quietly.
“Yes,” he says, though there’s no conviction behind it. His eyes flicker Miles momentarily before it goes back to Gil. “Same old. Don’t worry about me.”
Miles squeezes past them on his way out, Gabby right behind him, and he doesn’t even try to hide how he’s searching Calvin’s expression for answers.
Chapter Ten
They head toward the artists’ lounge, which is an outdoor makeshift cafeteria serving drinks and snacks to the performers. Only performers, staff, and VIP backstage pass holders can access the artists’ lounge. There’s a buzz of chatter around them, and it’s cool how they’re listening to live music from a stage. Even if they’re behind the stage, it’s as if they have their own party, with songs from famous performers.
They all take a table, and Chase quickly orders a round of drinks for everyone. Miles ends up between Gabby and Calvin, with Chase and Gil on the other side.
