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“We’ll usually get someone to play a lot of it live, but we run some in tracks too,” I say. “You just can’t get everything you want live.”

We tried doing “Where You Are” without the synth for an acoustic radio set one time and almost stopped halfway through because it was so bad. For months afterward, we laughed about the host’s forced enthusiasm for our mess.

“Oh! What an interesting twist on an NSB classic,” he’d said.

We still jokingly throw around the term “interesting” whenever we don’t like something.

“And I thought music was just a few guys strumming guitars,” Callie mumbles.

“Yeah, maybe fifty years ago,” I say with amusement. Wait until she finds out what goes into the production and engineering.

“I can’t wait to see you play live.”

Her sweet words make me wince. It’s a strange reaction to an innocuous statement. Especially since I’ve been excited for the same thing.

But now, reality is crashing in.

I haven’t been letting myself think about what’s next. One step at a time. And in my head, we had months to figure it out. After today, though, everything changes. Luke’s return to the studio means attention and expectations. Spotlights, appearances, and endless questions. There’s no way the Label doesn’t try to capitalize on what’s happening in that recording studio. Luke’s comeback will be a bigger deal than his fall.

Shit, I need to call TJ and make sure he fully understands Luke’s fragile state. We have to be very careful about what comes next. Do what we can to protect him and soften the blow.

I curl a smile to soothe the pressure in my chest.

“It might be sooner than you think,” I say.

Callie frowns, looking how I feel. “I thought you didn’t have to tour for a few more months.”

“We don’t, but we’re still going to play some shows before then. With Luke’s return, the Label is going to want to explode us back into the spotlight. I’m sure we’ll do some high profile stuff to build up for the tour.”

“And you think I’ll be able to go?”

I almost laugh. “You better go.”

She might be the only person who could coax Luke onto a stage right now.

“Well, I want to be there, of course, but I don’t know,” she says as she picks at the bagel in her lap. “I don’t want to get in your way. I mean, with Luke just getting back into it, I don’t want to mess with the band’s chemistry or anything.”

I stare at her. I don’t even know how to respond to that. “Seriously? Is that really what you think?”

Her gaze brushes mine and darts away.

It’s almost absurd enough to piss me off. How exactly does she think we’re going to move forward without the person responsible for the fact that we’re even moving? Luke will need all the support he can get, and it starts with this woman.

She has to understand that, so yeah, if it means stretching the truth a little, fine. Luke told me to convince her to stay. It’s a broad license I intend to use freely.

“Look, maybe now isn’t the best time to talk about this, but Luke and I had a long conversation last night after you went to bed. He’s serious about coming back, but he wants you to come with us.”

Her stunned gaze proves how much we needed to have this discussion. I thought she was finally starting to understand her value, but maybe I was wrong.

“He needs you, Callie,” I continue. “You’re his rock, hissupport, at least for now. He doesn’t believe he would have gotten here without you, so he’s not ready to let go.”

“Wait, what? Are you serious? He said that?”

Maybe he didn’t explicitly say it, but that’s what he meant. It’s what he’d say if he were sitting here right now.

“It’s true. Anyone who’s seen the two of you together can see how important you are to him.”

She shakes her head in slow movements as she studies the sidewalk. “Wow… and you think the guys will be okay with that? The Label?”