***
As soon as Calvin leaves, there’s a familiar emptiness in Miles. A few hours after, Chase and Gil check out as well—and Chase is fuming, muttering under his breath and complaining about Theo appearing unannounced. He also complains about how Calvin left before they even knew what was going on. Apparently, both he and Gil woke up to the texts saying that Calvin would meet them in the city.
Chase is in such a bad mood that he doesn’t even notice a few fans who attempt to ask them for a selfie, though Gil does, and he’s somehow able to calm Chase down long enough to indulge them.
Miles retreats as soon as the entire band leaves.
“Hey,” Gabby says, finding him in the roof garden.
He’s got his sketchbook opened to a blank page, and his pencil’s sitting there, forgotten. So much for trying to get some new ideas in. The gallery’s definitely going to let go of him at this point. He promised he’d bring them new pieces this month, but so far, he’s not sure how he’ll be doing that.
She steps up next to him. “Heard that the band left—and that Theo was here.”
Yep.”
“Are you going to see Calvin when you go back to the city?”
“I don’t know,” he says, which is a stupid thing to say, and it’s probably the frustration talking.
She puts a hand on his head, messing his hair up. “As your best friend slash honorary sister who’s never wrong… don’t end up pushing Calvin away.”
He nods, not actually paying attention to what she’s saying.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Even if they said they’d stay in touch, it proves harder than expected since the band’s caught up with different things. They seem to have hashed it out properly because suddenly they’ve got more gigs lined up, their official accounts announce that the band isn’t going to break up, and they’re going to release a new song soon. It’s the song they were working on in the inn, which Miles still hasn’t heard.
Miles should be happy. They’re not breaking up, and that’s a good thing.
During the inn’s weekly bonfire, he stays back in the lobby talking to Calvin instead. There are more people than usual, and it’s been that way for the past week, and Miles is exhausted trying to do the job of at least five different people. Good thing that the new batch of hires is arriving soon.
“We’re doing a podcast next weekend, and it’s going to bestreamed live,” Calvin says. Miles can practically hear the stress in his voice. “They always ask the same questions, and all I do is sit around.”
“You could… talk,” Miles says, chuckling.
“No thanks. Are you heading back to the city yet?”
“Sunday. The new staff needs to be trained, but I really need to go back if I don’t want to lose my spot at the gallery.”
“Can I see you soon?”
Miles’s heart soars. He grins to himself, not caring if he looks like a total fool. “Yes, please. Come to my apartment. Or I’ll go to you. I think I’m going through withdrawal from not seeing you.”
Calvin laughs. He loves that sound, all rumbly and soft through the phone. “You’re ridiculous. How’s Monday night? I don’t think we’ve got work that night. What’s your apartment number again? I don’t think you told me last time.”
“Monday’s perfect.” Miles tells him the number.
Shit, he needs to clean his place.
Checking his watch, he sees that the band has about another thirty minutes before they’ll be called onstage. “I’m not holding you up, am I?”
“No, we’re hanging backstage. Chase is watching a sappy rom-com and Gil’s here with his sister. Not really doing much.”
He notes that Calvin doesn’t mention Theo, and he doesn’t bother to ask. “Are you enjoying being back?”
“I am,” Calvin says. “It’s… the crowd’s always overwhelming, and I didn’t realize we’d ever get this big, but I’m grateful. It’s always unreal to see the impact of our music. I’m having a lot of fun.”
Calvin’s not the most vocal person ever, but at times like this, when he’s open and honest—Miles loves it. He likes listening to Calvin talk about what he enjoys about his job. He also likes listening to the pride he has in their songs, and the effect it has on other people.
