"So what do you think?" Luke asks me once we're alone.
He drops to the couch, and I follow, leaning against the other armrest so I can face him.
"They seem cool. I mean, it's not like we could really get to know each other in such a short time."
He shakes his head with a smile. "I meant about Casey in his native habitat. You guys were in there for a while. I know how he gets with his toys."
"It's pretty remarkable," I confess. "I had no idea about any of that stuff. He's so talented."
Luke scoffs. "You haven't even seen him play drums yet. Honestly, people don't realize that, in a lot of ways, he's more important to the band than I am. I was just the face. He's the heart. Our producer would grab him for collaboration before me."
"He said they almost kicked him out when he refused to do the cable special on you."
Luke sighs, and I can tell he's not thrilled about me recalling old memories, but at least he's letting them surface now.
"They figured out pretty quick that wouldn't have been good for them. They need Casey a lot more than he needs them. You know he's got a whole other side project going. Has he told you about that yet?"
I shake my head, and Luke nods. "Oh yeah. He dove in even harder after I left and things slowed down for NSB. Casey Barrett is also the genius behind Penchant for Red."
My jaw drops. "Wait, the band that does 'Untouched' and 'Closer to the Edge'? That's Casey?" I cry.
He grins and nods. "Yep. Penchant is totally his baby. They released their first album six months ago and have already sold almost a million copies."
I'm in shock. I don't even know what to say next. "So does he tour with them also?" I ask, suddenly concerned. Maybe that's why he was worried. I had assumed "being on the road all the time" was a figure of speech. What if it wasn't?
Luke shakes his head. "No, not really. They play a few shows, but don't do a formal tour. He can't do much because of his commitment to NSB, but don't be surprised if one day Penchant for Red eclipses anything we've ever done."
"'Closer to the Edge' is so different than what you guys do!" I reason. "How could it be him?"
Luke laughs. "It's much more contemporary and mainstream for sure, which is why Penchant will explode one day. You know he's a classically trained musician, right? His parents wanted him to be a violinist or something. He knows more about music theory than any of us. He's a freakin' genius with all the production and computer stuff." Luke stops and glances toward the hallway. "Wait until you hear what he's putting together now with that little controller. I'm sure it will blow your mind."
My heart is swollen with pride. In Casey. In Luke for his humility in demonstrating how much he loves and respects his friend.
I shake my head, still in disbelief. "Wow, I had no idea."
Luke grins. "You snagged a good one, Callie … then again, so did he."
I return his smile. "I knew that long before I knew any of this," I say, and I can tell Luke appreciates my response. "I saw who he was the night of your party."
My words have an effect on him, but I'm not sure of the result.
"Should we go see how he's doing?" he asks, and I'm on my feet as he finishes the question. I'd been counting down the seconds.
We make our way to the office, and it suddenly occurs to me that the same room Luke uses to escape and fall apart, Casey is now using to grow and create. I wonder if Luke sees the irony as well.
I'm surprised when he doesn't knock, but simply opens the door as quietly as possible and peeks around the corner. Casey must wave him in because he then shoves it the rest of the way and moves inside.
"How's it going?"
Casey smiles and stretches. "Well, it's been all of ten minutes so not much to show so far. Basically got the tempo set and first midi track lined up. I did one pass with keys but I think I'm going to run it on guitar, too, and see what that sounds like. I could use some input. Do you have your ears?"
Luke nods. "Yeah, in my room. Just a sec."
He leaves us, and I move around the desk so I can see the screen.
"So Penchant for Red, huh?" I comment casually without even looking at him.
I can see his grin break out of the corner of my eye as he shakes his head. "Luke told you."
I face him, and this time don't even bother hiding my awe. "Is there anything about you that isn't going to make me swoon? What else is there? You also have a PhD in physics and founded a franchise of orphanages?"
"Swoon! There's my old lady. Love it," Casey laughs.
I roll my eyes and shove him.
"Want something to drink? What can I do to help? Anything?"
He shakes his head. "No, I'm fine. Just need time."
"And silence," I conclude.
He smiles and shrugs, but I can tell I'm right.
"Not a word. Promise."
"Well, it doesn't matter much for this part. Just when we track the vocals. Minus the distraction element, of course."
"Oh, so I'm in your way. Got it."
He gives me a sly grin. "I didn't say that. I said distraction. You can be very distracting."
"Oh really?" I ask, leaning toward him. I know Luke is going to return any second, but every cell in my body wants to be alone with Casey right now.
His eyes meet mine, and it's useless. I can't stop myself. He pulls me against him, and our lips meet in a brief, but saturated collision. It's not nearly enough, but we hear the door move, and I straighten.
Luke shakes his head with a smile.
"I can come back," he jokes, and I grunt.
"No, it's fine. Somehow I think Casey would pick you over me right now anyway," I tease, although I'm pretty sure based on the look on his face, I'm right. He's already back in "artist mode," and I'm not entirely positive he heard a word I said.
Luke gives me an apologetic smile, but I only laugh.
"Have fun," I say, moving toward the door.
Luke surprises me by stopping my retreat. "Where are you going? You should stay. You cool with that, Case?"
Casey shrugs and nods, barely even adjusting from his focus on the screen.
"Fine with me. Hey, so here's the first take at the keys. Before I clean it up, I just wanted to see what you thought of the general direction."
Luke nods and pulls a set of the same type of custom headphones Casey has from a solid black case. He puts them in his ears and hands the other end to Casey to insert into the laptop.
Casey makes a few keystrokes and waits while Luke listens. We both watch his face, and I find myself nervous for Casey for some reason. It's obvious that Luke's opinion means a lot to him. Finally, Luke must finish and pulls an earpiece out.
"It's good, Case. Maybe a little aggressive on the verses. I love the intro, though. I can totally hear the piano riff followed by the band coming in with the crash of the drums and guitars."
Casey nods. "That's what I was thinking. One pass of piano for that first progression, and then all-in hard on the second."
Luke agrees. "Yeah, I like that."
Casey quiets and stares at the screen again before turning back to Luke. "I'd love if you could help me with the vocal. You'd kill this one. You know you would."
I hold my breath. The look on Casey's face. The look on Luke's. I don't know if I can handle watching Casey's hopeful expression shatter again. Or Luke's pain at causing it. I almost want to flee from the room rather than be forced to witness either.
There's a long silence that's painful for all of us.
Finally, Casey looks away and nods, and there it is. The heartbreak I didn't want to have to see. I swallow, my own heart aching for him.
"Yeah, sorry," Casey mumbles.
Luke draws in a deep breath, and I see his fist actually clench in distress.
"Casey … "
Casey doesn't look at him and waves his hand. "No, I know. Sorry, it's fine. I shouldn't have asked." But we both know he's hurt. Again.
Luke shakes his head and steps forward. "No, it's not fine, Casey. It's not fine."
Casey glances at him in surprise, as do I. Luke's face is a mess of regret and love and sadness, and a host of other things I wasn't expecting and can't start to explain.
He draws in a deep breath and picks up one of the microphones, examining it with an eerie mix of awe and fear. There must be a hurricane thrashing around his head right now. And Casey's. I don't speak, trying not to move for fear of ruining whatever miracle might be occurring at the moment. Finally, he closes his eyes for a brief second before focusing back on Casey.
"Can you run through it with me a few times first?" he asks quietly. "I only heard it that once, and I know you changed some of the melody anyway."
Tears spring to my eyes when I see the glisten in Casey's. Then Luke's.
Casey clears his throat and blinks back at the screen. I can tell he's trying not to let the tears take hold. "Um, yeah, of course. Just..."
Luke nods, and places his hand on Casey's shoulder. Casey glances up at him still in shock, and I almost choke when Luke pulls him to his feet in a solid embrace.