Page 45 of What They Say

Benny studied him for a long moment, then smiled. “Then that’s your answer. Just keep showing up as you. The rest is up to her.”

Chase’s phone buzzed. He pulled it out fast.

*Hey. Sorry about the other night. I had a good time too. Maudie was having a rough one, and I got in my head. The song’s been stuck in my head too. Maybe we can work on it again when you’re back?*

Relief washed through him so strong it made him grin like an idiot.

“Yeah?” Benny asked, amused.

“Yeah.” Chase typed back quickly.

*Sounds perfect. I’ll be thinking about it until then. Take care of yourself, okay?*

He slipped the phone away, the nerves about tonight’s show suddenly feeling a lot more manageable.

Kath hadn’t run.

Not completely.

And for now, that was enough.

He picked up his guitar again, the melody they’d started together flowing easier than ever. For the first time today, the stage in front of him didn’t feel quite so intimidating.

Because somewhere back home, a girl with platinum hair and a notebook full of fire was thinking about their song too.

And that made everything feel possible.

***

Kath

Kath was curled up on the couch in the dark, the only light coming from her phone screen as she scrolled aimlessly through old lyrics. Maudie had finally woken up earlier, grumpy but alive, and had gone straight back to bed after a long shower. The house was quiet again, but Kath’s mind wasn’t.

She kept replaying the night with Chase. The way the music had flowed between them. The way he’d looked at her like her words actually mattered. Then her stupid panic and how she’d basically pushed him out the door.

Her phone lit up with an incoming video call.

Chase.

Her heart jumped. She answered before it could ring a second time.

Chase’s face filled the screen. He was on the band bus, the interior lights dim, the faint sound of road noise and low conversation in the background. His hair was messy, eyes bright, and he had the biggest, goofiest grin she’d ever seen on him.

“Kath!” he said, voice crackling with energy. “Holy shit, that show was insane. The crowd was screaming the new stuff back at us. Benny went full rock star on the last song, and I swear the whole place shook. Vic was on fire. I even got a solo spot and didn’t completely embarrass myself...”

He kept going, words tumbling out fast and breathless, hands gesturing wildly as he described the set, the encore, the way the audience had chanted for one more song. He was practically vibrating with adrenaline, eyes wide and shining, that quiet boy from the diner completely replaced by this exhilarated, glowing version of Chase.

Kath couldn’t stop smiling. She pulled her knees up to her chest and just watched him, warmth spreading through her like sunlight. This was Chase completely unleashed. He was happy, proud, and alive with the music. She loved seeing him like this. Loved that he was calling her from the bus, still riding the high, wanting to share it with her.

“...and then Benny threw his pick into the crowd, and this girl caught it and screamed so loud I thought my ears were gonna bleed,” he finished, laughing. “God, it was good. I wish you could’ve been there.”

“I wish I could’ve too,” she said, meaning it.

Chase’s grin softened a little, but the energy was still pouring off him. “Sorry, I’m probably talking too fast. I’m just...wired. That was one of the best gigs we’ve had as a group.”

“I can tell,” Kath said, laughing quietly. “You look like you’re about to float off the bus.”

He ran a hand through his hair, still grinning. “Feels like it. Anyway...how are you? I didn’t wake you up, did I?”