Page 100 of Paint Our Song

A far-off voice that Miles recognizes as Theo’s says, “Having fun onstage isn’t enough, Cal, you need to interact more with the fans.”

Oh, so hewasthere.

Miles rolls his eyes and keeps himself from not butting in, even if it’s Theo interrupting their conversation like the douchebag he is. Calvin’s silent, and Miles can practically see him retreating into his shell like he often does when it comes to Theo. He knows that Calvin turning quiet because of his ex isn’t because he can’t stand up for himself, but because he’s exhausted himself—either way, Miles hates it.

He likes that Calvin is enjoying himself onstage, he only wishes that Theo stopped being so… Theo. According to Calvin, he’s backed off quite a lot since the band started playing again, but he still has some habits he needs to unlearn.

“Leave him alone, dickwad,” Chase’s also distant voice says. Miles can’t help but snicker at that. “Cal, tell him about that insane fan from yesterday who tried to cut Gil’s hair for some crazy voodoo thing.”

“Probably would have been better if you didn’t offer to help her,” Gil complains, and Chase cackles in response.

***

Sunday finally arrives and when Miles gets back to his apartment, he cleans it like he told himself he would. He puts clutter away, actually does the laundry, and dusts every inch of the apartment. Exhausted afterward, he falls back on his couch and takes his phone out.

He checks out the posts about Cloverlily’s gig that night. There are already a ton, and their official account has some stories of them on stage. Chase also posted the band backstage. He’s got an arm around Gil, Calvin behind them, and then Theo, with a pie emoji covering his face.

“What the fuck,” Miles wheezes. He hits the heart button, then takes a few extra moments studying Calvin’s face. Calvin’s not wearing his glasses anymore, probably purchased a new pair of contacts once he was back in the city. He likes that Calvin doesn’t wear his glasses so often. It’s as if it’s a little part of him that he only lets some people see—Miles included.

God, he misses Calvinso much.Sue him; he’s needy as hell. After an internal debate that lasts about three seconds, Miles sends him a message.

Me: back in the city!!! see u tomorrow!! Im excited to be back. Not even worried so much about the inn because the new hires did pretty well with their training and it’s taken a load off gabby and mom’s back

Calvin doesn’t reply for hours, which he expected. When he finally does, close to midnight, Miles’s heart sinks.

Cat-vin: Sorry. Need to take a raincheck. The podcast was moved to tomorrow, so that we can hype up the newsong’s release.

He reads the message over and over, as if it will magically change, as if Calvin will follow it up saying he’s kidding.

Well, damn.

Miles can’t be too annoyed, not really—he had known this was going to happen the moment the band decided to get back together. They’ve always been busy with back-to-back gigs, interviews, streams, parties, and whatnot.

He texts him it’s fine, then Miles sulks on his couch, swinging his legs over the armrest. He cleaned his entire apartment after driving for two hours for nothing.

His phone rings, and it cuts through the silence of the room. Miles is too out of it to even check who it is. “Hello?”

“Sorry I had to bail on you last minute.” It’s Calvin, and Miles abruptly sits up. There’s a lot of background noise. He must still be outside with the band.

“Is that Miles!?” Chase asks, his voice muffled through the call, as if he’s shouting from across the room.

“No,” Calvin says.

“That’s totally Miles,” says Chase, his voice getting more intelligible and louder.

“Can you not—hey. Stop. Gil!”

There are shuffling sounds, the noise of them struggling, and Calvin cursing under his breath. The next thing Miles hears is Chase’s voice, clear as day, and it’s obvious that he was able to take Calvin’s phone. “Hi, Miles!”

“Hello!”

“So. Tomorrow—the podcast. It’s here at our record label’sbuilding, Triumph Records, down on 23rd. You want to come?”

Calvin grumbles from somewhere in the background, “I was going to ask him myself.”

“Chase, knock it off!” Gil yells. Then there’s more shuffling and fighting. Miles winces when the phone falls on the floor, making a loud resounding thunk.

He hears a door closing, and then silence.