Page 154

I don’t even wait for Jon’s instructions as I head toward the tracking room.

“Yeah, we need to run the bridge again. I don’t like the build,” I explain, pulling open the door.

“You need a bigger fill, Case,” Luke adds.

“Yeah. I also came in too early on the chorus.”

His small smile at the familiar exchange hits me in the chest.

“Okay. Let’s take it from the turn after chorus two,” Jon says, and I settle back into my tiny kingdom.

This time when I twirl the sticks, it’s because I fucking own them.

CHAPTER THIRTY

“We’re heading over to Oak & Ash,” Sweeny says when we break for lunch.

I’m about to tell him Callie and I will join, until I see her dazed expression. She didn’t even hear him. She’s still trying to wrap her brain around what she’s already absorbed. The last thing she needs is another hour of shop talk over steak.

“Actually, I’ve been dying for a turkey club from Tiffanie’s,” I say instead. “We’ll catch up with you after lunch.”

“Oh! Is that the place with those bagels?”

I return a noncommittal shrug, silently willing him to forget bagels and stick with a juicy filet. By the time we reach the sidewalk, he’s jumped into Luke and Eli’s debate about guitar pick gauges and forgotten all about us.

I take Callie’s hand and lead her in the other direction to one of my favorite delis. We get a few glances along the way, but no one approaches. I can fly under the radar better than Luke. Peoplethinkthey recognize me, but they’re not confident enough about who or why to approach. Not like what Luke gets. I still can’t believe he managed to hide in that diner as long as he did.

It’s a gorgeous day, so after getting our orders, we find a bench under a tree instead of heading back into the studio.

Not that I’ll be able to eat with my stomach in knots.

While Callie unwraps her sandwich, I study the entrance to the studio across the street. It’s been a long morning within its walls, and the real challenge is yet to come.

Luke has been acting like everything’s fine, but his assurances that he’s ready are my biggest clue he’s not.

He’s terrified, and I doubt he’ll be eating much of whatever he orders either.

I feel Callie’s gaze and shoot her a quick smile. Although part of me wants to talk about my concerns, I can’t bring myself to burden her. Besides, I don’t know how to explain the strange mix of excitement and dread churning in my stomach.

“What do you think so far?” I ask instead.

“Pretty amazing. I’m tired, though.”

I huff a dry laugh. We’ve barely begun. “It’s a long day for sure. We still have at least another six or seven hours.”

Her eyes go wide. “Really? You’re finished with your part, though, right?”

I stifle another snort. My role won’t be finished until this song is mastered and sent off for release, but I don’t have the energy to get into all of that.

“No, I’ll help with the synth work after we get the guitars down,” I hedge.

That’s what she’s really asking anyway.

Her brows knit as she chews. “I don’t understand, though. If you’re playing drums, who plays the synths and keys at the shows?”

Great question. We’ve been using tracks for that since Luke’s departure. We’re already paying a guitarist to replace him and didn’t want to deal with a contract keys player also. If Luke comes back full-time, though…

I suppress the thought. One miracle at a time.