“Actually, we’re performing one of our classics,” Harvey said as he filled a plastic container with the leftover lasagne. “Then we’re doing a cover.”
“What? That’s not like… oh!” The penny dropped. “Ilovethose sessions. It’s an awesome radio show and I can’t wait to hear what you guys come up with.”
Harvey grinned. “I think you’ll be surprised. It’s not our usual style.”
“Gonna tell us what it is?”
“Nope. Like I said, it’s a surprise.”
“Spoilsport.” Bo said as he crossed to the counter.
“Actually, why don’t you guys come along?” Harvey suggested.
“Really? That’d be awesome. You think we’d be allowed?” Ravi said, as he got up carrying their empty glasses to the sink.
Harvey nodded. “I’m sure it could be arranged.”
Now Bo really pouted. “I’ve got an early shift tomorrow. Just my dumb luck.”
“That’s a shame. It would have been great to have you there. They record the sessions though, so you’ll be able to see it on video later.”
Bo tried not to be too disappointed and plastered on a smile. “Next time, huh?”
“For sure. Hey, I’ve put the leftovers in a Tupperware for your lunch tomorrow,” Harvey said, depositing the container in the fridge. “Don’t forget to grab it before you leave. You must get sick and tired of cafeteria food.”
The simple offer, the fact that Harvey was thinking about his lunch, sent a burst of warmth through Bo that went a long way to making him feel better for missing out tomorrow.
Ravi tagged along to the radio station where the boys were being interviewed, thankful for the flexibility his job provided. It didn’t hurt that he had a good reputation at the company where he’d been working for a couple of years. The transfer to the east coast office had gone smoothly. He didn’t need to be in the office every day, working from home whenever he liked except when a face-to-face meeting was required. But being at a radio station wasn’t usually something that was part of his week. He still had to pinch himself multiple times a day to remind himself that this was his life now.
Rav watched the performance by HyperOctane through the glass windows of the studio and it was amazing—one of their older songs followed by a cover of Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Cars” that was unlike anything they usually played. Bo would have loved it. He’d always been a huge fan of HyperOctane, or their number one HO as he liked to joke, and it was a real shame he’d missed out on the experience.
The boys were jostling each other and laughing as they exited the studio. Harvey’s gaze immediately sought Ravi, and he grinned in return.
“How was it?”
“Amazing,” Harvey said. “I can’t tell you how good it feels to be playing again.”
“C’mon, guys, we’re starving. Let’s go get lunch.” Gibbo gestured to the elevator.
They all piled in, energy high as the lift descended. They got out on the ground floor, the high spirits contagious.
“We’ll meet you at Mozi’s,” RG stated, naming one of the city’s most popular restaurants.
It must be nice not to worry about having a reservation, Ravi thought, trailing after them.
They parted at the doors where the others waited for a hire car while he and Harvey headed towards the parking garage where Harvey’s car was parked. On the way down the street Harvey talked about the radio interview and the questions that still seemed to revolve around Rafe and his coming out.
“Doesn’t it piss you off?” Ravi asked, “Like, shouldn’t the music be the focus?”
“Luckily it is. Mostly. But it’s hard to be annoyed when there’s usually an opportunity to speak positively about LGBTQI representation in music. Do I wish it was different, that queer representation was normalised? Sure. But there’s still a long way to go.”
“They were keen to hear about your accident. I like how you avoided providing details about how it actually happened,” Ravi said.
Harvey chuckled. “Can you imagine the damage to my reputation if I’d admitted to tripping over groceries?”
“Maybe we need to come up with a list of things to increase your cool factor?” Ravi teased.
“Oh, really! And what would you put on that list?” They stopped at the car where Harvey stowed his guitar case in the boot.
