Page 97 of Paint Our Song

“What do you think?” Theo asks, his voice solemn. “I swear I didn’t want it to turn out like this—I’ve been thinking a lot, and I’d like a second chance. If you can help me convince Chase and Gil to keep the band together, they’d agree.”

Calvin glances at Miles when he enters, and Miles feels stupid, waiting on his ex like this. Still eyeing Miles, Calvin mutters, “You’re the one who wanted a solo career, if you’ve forgotten.”

“Because… you all wanted me out.” Theo sighs. “I saw the videos from last night, and at first I was really, really pissed. You all fucking played under the band’s name without me. Did you get fucking paid? You know you can’t do that, right? We’re supposed to come to an agreement and all that shit about who can use the band’s name after the separation. We haven’t even separated yet. I could sue.”

Miles places the tray on the desk and makes a beeline for the door.

“We didn’t get paid.” Calvin sounds so pissed. “Are you really thinking of suing us? What the fuck?”

“No. Of course not. I won’t sue my own friends. Listen. Never mind that. I came here to say I’m not proud of the shit I said before. I was pissed. But then I watched you all playing last night, without me, and I can’t fucking not be a part of that. I can’t lose that.”

“Should have probably thought of that before.”

Miles grins to himself. Go, Calvin, he says in his mind as he’s stepping out.

Theo says, softly, “Love. Please.”

Shit.Miles’s world crashes around him, and he can’t help but snap his attention to Calvin. The way his chest closes in on itself is unreal, and he can’t bear this—not with how Calvin’s eyes widen and how he’s speechless for a second.

“Cut that out,” Calvin hisses. “No. Listen. I’m really, really tired. It’s exhausting being caught between you three. I told you I’m done.”

“I’ll stop making you choose, I swear.”

Calvin’s quiet, his stare drifting behind Theo to meet Miles’s.

Why the hell is he still standing by the door? Miles smiles sheepishly and ducks away, but not before Theo realizes he’s there and says, “Oh, hey, thanks so much! What’s the damage?”

“Breakfast comes with the room.” Miles gestures at Calvin.

“Sweet!” Theo digs into his pocket and brings out a crumpled bill. He straightens it and hands it to Miles. “For your trouble, then.”

Baffled, Miles stares at the outstretched hand, and the bill he holds between two fingers.

“Stop, no,” Calvin says, frowning. He puts Theo’s hand down, and Theo stares at him, utterly confused. “Just—no.”

“Okay?” Theo tilts his head in confusion and puts the bill away.

“…Bye,” Miles says.

The last thing he sees before he leaves the room is the distressed expression Calvin has.

He waits at the reception desk next to a part-timer who keepslooking his way.

Calvin and Theo stay in the office much longer than Miles would’ve preferred, and Miles forces a smile when they finally come out.

“I’m going to wait out front,” Theo says.

“Didn’t say I was riding back with you.” Calvin turns toward Miles and puts a hand on his arm. Theo stares at them for a moment too long, his eyes narrowing.

“I’ll wait anyway,” Theo says, before looking away. He walks toward the doors, ignoring a group of teenagers who get up and follow him.

Miles studies Calvin’s face. “Are you okay?”

“Not really.” He drags a hand through his hair. “Can we talk?”

“Yeah, of course.”

Miles can’t explain the strange tightness in his chest as they head back to his room. It’s as if there’s a lump in his throat and his lungs are constricted, and he wants air, and it’s such an unpleasant feeling he doesn’t even have a name for it. He follows Calvin to his door, watches as he swipes his keycard to open his room, and Calvin leads the way inside.