Page 65 of Paint Our Song

“Hey, Miles. Have you heard our new song?” Chase asks. His voice is quieter now, and he’s lying on the blanket and staring straight up. He must be exhausted from all the messing around he did, because he’s fighting to keep his eyes open.

“Nope.”

“Cal, let him hear it. I think I’ve got it on my phone.”

With a grimace, Calvin says, “Please don’t.”

Ouch.Miles swigs down his soda, acting like he’s unaffected.

“You shouldn’t have sent it to the group with Theo, though,” Chase says, yawning. Gil smacks him lightly on the shoulder—a warning. “He might steal it.” Gil smacks him again, much stronger this time.

“I sent it to the group chat because he asked.” Calvin’s voice is quiet. “Also, he wouldn’t do that.”

“Why wouldn’t he? He’s taken credit for all the other songs.”

“Stop,” Gil says.

Miles stares between them, back and forth. He’s not a part of this. Gil quickly changes the topic to lighten the mood. They talk about some new songs that have been released, rumors about other bands, and Gil mentions he saw Calvin’s sister in the city.

“Miles,” Chase says, voice low. He inches toward Gil, and Gil peers down at him from where he’s sitting. Miles watches, curiously, as Chase nudges Gil to sit with his legs straight out. When Gil sighs and does that, Chase shifts and rests his head on his lap. “Miles,” Chase repeats. “Tell us about you.”

“Nothing much to say,” Miles says.

Gil runs his hand through Chase’s hair. How could Calvin have said they didn’t have anything going on? Calvin’s eyes are closed, oblivious to what’s in front of them.

“Do your parents run the inn?” Gil asks.

“My mom does. My dad passed away five years ago.”

Gil flinches, his hand freezing in Chase’s hair. Chase grunts and he moves his fingers again. At the same time, Calvin’s eyes flicker open slowly, and he meets Miles’s stare. His expression is stony and hard to read.

“I’m sorry,” Gil says.

“You’re fine!” It’s been years. He’s used to the awkward silence that follows when he talks about Dad, and he’s used to the sad expressions he gets in return. “My mom runs it all on her own now, but I’m here for a while because they’re having a tough time. I don’t know much about running an inn, but I’m trying.”

“That’s why they’re focusing on digital marketing,” Calvin mumbles.

“Yeah, you said that.” Gil scratches his chin. “I wonder if it’ll help if we do a livestream? Those seem to get us, what, a few thousand views at least.”

Shit. That’s more than he could ever expect. It’ll definitely help get word out, maybe do something for their booking goal. Miles nods way too enthusiastically.

“Are you dating anyone, Miles?” Chase suddenly asks. The change of subject disarms Miles. “Just curious.”

“No.” Beside him, Calvin shifts and puts an arm over his face. And, just because, Miles asks Chase, “Are you?”

“Nope. We’re a band of single dumbasses. I was seeing someone, but he said we wouldn’t work. Joke’s on him, though. I’ll win him back.”

He?Miles blinks.

Apparently, this small detail surprises his friends, too, because Calvin lowers his arm and exchanges a confused look with Gil.

Gil’s eyebrows furrow together. “Since when have you been into guys?”

“Since I figured out I was bi?”

Calvin says, “You’ve literally never mentioned this before.”

“Nobody asked.” Chase makes a disgruntled sound and grabs Gil’s wrist, yanking it back into his hair and demanding he move his fingers again.