He bites his lip and nods, and I can tell that means a lot more to him than I can even know. I can't imagine what it's like to constantly live in Luke's shadow. To love him and have to fight the nagging temptation to be jealous of him at the same time. To watch him get everything you deserve as well but will never have because labels matter. Then again, I'm not so sure Luke has anything Casey wants.
"Should we get back to the movie?" I ask, taking his hand and loving the fact that it's mine now, too. I can't wait to cuddle up with him without questions. No more wasted brain cells and heart beats on hesitation and speculation.
"Not yet. I have something for you," he says, pulling away.
"Huh?"
His sheepish smile is accompanied by a casual shrug this time as he grabs the guitar.
"I got bored of the chair drama last night, so I wrote one for you." He laughs. "Luke even helped, although he mostly just made fun of me. It was late so it's totally stupid, but it's all yours," he laughs.
I freeze. Tears spring to my eyes as I stare at him in disbelief.
His face falls. "Are you upset? I'm sorry … I … "
I shake my head with a vehemence that brings back his smile, and wipe my eyes.
"Of course not! I just … thank you."
His grin returns in full force as he lowers himself to the couch and does a quick tune. "Might want to wait on the gratitude. You didn't even hear it yet."
I don't have to to know I'll love it.
But then he starts to play the incredibly sweet and goofy song, leaving no doubt.
"They say I'm a rock star, baby
But that's just what they made me
Ignore my wall of Grammys, right now I'm only yours.
I'm a superstar or pathetic cover, it's all in your power, lover
You're everything I need to know, let me be yours
I'm no titan, hon, a liar, maybe
I'm no one else you need to know
You unravel my maze, the light in my haze
You're everything I need to know
You may drive me crazy
But when I'm with you I'm just Casey, and that's how I know, that's all I need to know,
I'm yours"
∞∞∞
Casey and I return to Luke, different, better, and he gives us a knowing smile when we enter hand-in-hand.
"I didn't pause it. You'll have to just figure out what's going on," Luke mutters as we take our places on the bed again, but I can tell he's not nearly as annoyed as he's letting on.
I grin and shove him a bit with my shoulder. "Thanks," I whisper, leaning close and giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.
He seems surprised, but not upset, almost pleased. He returns my smile before focusing back on the screen, this time with a content expression I've never seen before.
∞∞∞
Casey spends several more hours on the phone that night, pacing throughout the suite, arguing with invisible opponents, nodding, cursing, shaking his head.
Luke and I order some food and watch with a mix of amusement and pity as he battles the world on our behalf. His "people" seem to be confused about why he didn't just explain I was actually his girlfriend, and not Luke's, the first time they talked, but he covers it well and they seem to buy his story. The rest is just a long list of warnings and instructions, repeated several times, from several consultants, in several ways.
My heart goes out to him as I see the frustration and weariness settling into his features.
"Still questioning his loyalty?" I shoot at Luke as Casey unleashes yet another exasperated iteration of the same story.
"He's a saint, no question," Luke agrees.
"He's doing this for you."
Luke shrugs. "I don't know. You're his girlfriend," he teases, and I give him a mock glare.
"Seriously, you're ok with all of that? I know maybe it's weird."
Luke almost looks annoyed. "Am I ok that two of the best people I know have found happiness in each other and someone they deserve? I think I'm good."
I roll my eyes. "You could have given your approval without the sarcasm," I mutter, and he grins.
"Hey, you got it, didn't you? Anyway, if anything, my approval is more selfish than anything. It guarantees I get to keep both of you in my life."
I squeeze his hand, wishing with all my heart he could be as happy as I am at that moment.
Then Casey hangs up the phone with a curse and slams it down on the table. I try to be appropriately sympathetic, but it's just too insane not to laugh.
"Oh, I'm glad you guys think this is funny!" he quips.
"Eat something," I say, pointing to a chair. "It's bar food. Not a single vegetable."
He sighs, and I know there's a smile in there somewhere that wants to come out. There always is.
"I'll get you a beer," I continue, half serious and half teasing him about the last time I owed him a "thank you."
It works, the smile breaks, and I can't help but squeeze his arm as I pass. I'd do a lot more to cheer him up if Luke wasn't sitting right there.
"What'd they say?" Luke asks, and I listen closely as I retrieve the beer and pop the cap.
Casey sighs again, and I hand him the bottle.
"Alright, so here's the deal. Lawyers are pretty sure there isn't much legal risk. The leaked footage clearly shows the restaurant manager giving you permission to take the chair. The only person endangered was Callie when you took a swipe at her, and I'm going to assume she doesn't intend to press charges." His face changes. "Really, man? You swung at Callie?"
Luke looks away. He seems like he might be ashamed which is a good sign. Maybe he's starting to understand what he is when he loses control of himself.
Casey shakes it off. "Anyway, legally we're good. Publicity-wise, they actually think we're good, too, as long as nothing else comes out and we lay low. While the blow up part with the chair isn't great, we can spin it as a painful outburst of a hurting icon on the mend. With no laws broken, the public is going to like that Luke is back out of hiding and clearly reconnecting with people again, even if it is with his best friend's girlfriend." He turns to me. "Which, for the record, now means you have to be seen with me at, at least, two high profile events in the next month. Sorry, but it was non-negotiable. We need to prove that you and Luke were just hanging out as friends, and you and I are madly in love. If they see the three of us together, even better."
He stops and surveys us like we're his second-grade class. "Any questions?"
I raise my hand, and he rolls his eyes.
"Yes, Callie."
"Are you going to finish those mozzarella sticks?"
Luke laughs, and I duck as Casey throws one at me.
Tuesday.
Casey and I fall asleep on the couch that night after being up late talking. I learn a lot more about him, all minor compared to the game-changing character traits I've gotten to witness over the last several days, but still worth every second. I can't believe it hasn't even been a week since all this started. It feels like a lifetime. Casey doesn't seem as concerned with the timeline, and I wonder if it's because the pace of his life doesn't allow him to be overly cautious. Once he let go of his fear of getting close, he seemed to have no problem abandoning his soul completely to me. It's an amazing feeling to have someone's trust, their heart. I accepted the gift with reverence and offered the same in return, revealing things to him I thought I'd tucked away forever. We laughed a lot, cried a little, and I realized there was nothing about this person I didn't find fascinating.
When I wake the next morning, still resting against him, I don't want to move. My body gets in the way, however, and eventually I force myself up as quietly as possible. He stirs, but doesn't wake, and I make my way to the bathroom. I decide to shower and dress while I'm there, never sure what the day will bring with these two.
I'm glad I did.
I can hear voices when I turn off the water, multiple voices, actually, and realize we have guests. There's a lot of laughter, so I can at least assume they're welcomed guests.
I'm startled by a knock on the bathroom door and wrap the towel around myself.
"Yeah?" I call through the door.
"Hey, it's Casey. Can I come in for a sec?"
I swallow, excited and terrified at the thought that I'm naked five feet away from him. That's normal, right? I'm still getting used to this whole boyfriend thing.
"Um … sure. Hang on, I'm coming out."
I wrap the towel more securely, just in case. I'm not concerned or anything, this just isn't how I pictured our first intimate moment as a couple.
I open the door and brush past him into the guest room to get dressed.
He stops. "Wow."
I roll my eyes, but can't help the smile. "Don't get too excited. It sounds like we have guests."
"Yeah but … wow … "
I laugh and shake my head. "You knew I was showering. What did you expect?"
He nods, but I'm not even sure he hears me. "Yeah … um … "
"You came in here for a reason?" I remind him, helping him along.
He clears his throat, and I'm tempted to completely unhinge him with a peek, but have mercy.
"Yeah, so, ok." He shakes his head and actually looks away to regain his thoughts. "The guys are here," he explains finally.