Casey curses under his breath, and now we're all staring at her as she squints through the restaurant. Her face ignites when she concludes it's him, and she starts moving toward us.
"Can I kiss you?" Casey whispers. "Please?"
I almost laugh, and pull him into me. We put on a pretty decent show, and I can feel Luke's amusement to my right.
"Hey, guys! So good to see you!" a voice interrupts, and Casey and I pull apart.
"Jana, how's it going?" Sweeny asks in a flat tone.
"Great! Good. Casey, how have you been?"
Casey glances at her and forces a polite smile. "Fine." He holds up my hand clasped firmly in his. "Hey, did you get a chance to meet my girlfriend Callie at Luke's place last week?" he asks, and we can all see the moment when her world crashes down around her.
"Um … no, I don't think so. Hi," she says in a painfully unconvincing greeting.
"Hi," I respond. "I love your dress."
I can sense the guys holding in their laughs.
"Thanks. It's a Bella Amberosi."
I nod. I don't know what that means.
"I like your … " She hesitates, unable to even vaguely disguise her disgust and confusion at my existence.
"Boyfriend?" I finish for her. "Yeah, I know. He's amazing. I don't blame you."
She almost chokes. I can feel the others' shock, but know I guessed right when her eyes narrow and she mutters some unintelligible retort. Finally, she spins and marches back to her table.
"Oh man, that was awesome!" Sweeny laughs.
"You're my hero, Callie!" Eli echoes, slamming his fist on the table.
I grin, and steal a glance at Casey who is still shaking his head in amused disbelief.
"Dude, she is it," Sweeny continues, pointing at me, and I squeeze Casey's hand.
"Thanks, Callie," he whispers, his face broadcasting everything I need to know.
I nod, then grow serious.
"What exactly is a Bella Amberosi?" I ask, and they laugh.
∞∞∞
Casey and Luke order what seems like the entire menu of appetizers, and I'm blown away by each one. I can still feel Jana's hostile gaze from across the room, but I don't let it poison the incredible food.
The guys weren't kidding about 49th & Finch's bar food. The wings, the pretzels, sliders, everything I try is a familiar flavor, but completely different at the same time. I realize I was right on with my joke that they've simply upgraded the same food they ate when they were a poor garage band crashing in cheap motels.
Casey orders a couple bottles of that champagne I liked at Luke's party, and I love that he remembers my reaction to it. He pours a glass for all of us, and we toast Friday's return to the studio.
As the night wears on, I settle into my seat and study each of them in silence. Sweeny and Eli seem like good guys, down-to-earth and passionate, but clearly not in the same league as Casey and Luke. There's no question in my mind where the heart and soul of Night Shifts Black is. It makes sense, given the band's history I'm starting to piece together.
Based on the clues I've assembled, it seems that Casey and Luke started playing together when Casey was fifteen and Luke was seventeen. Whether they were serious or not, or had other band-mates at that time, I don't know, but Sweeny and Eli would have come into the picture two years later. They've put out four albums together since then, and I remember the first one being dated seven years ago, with the second one the following year. Several of the songs were the same on both, but the newer one sounded much fuller and more professional to me. I'm guessing that's when they signed with their mega Label. Since then, they'd done two more albums, the last one going platinum and winning them a Grammy. I remember something about an Academy Award for a song in a movie as well, but I can't remember which song or what movie. I never pay much attention to all those award shows.
My stomach flutters when it suddenly occurs to me I might have to start. I glance over at Casey and realize I may even have to attend one. I'm still pretty sure I'm sleeping, and yet, at the same time, it's almost like the rest of my life was the dream. Casey credits me with bringing Luke back to life and Luke credits me with inspiring Casey again. But what about what they both did for me?
I feel alive for once. Awake. I have hope, purpose. Value. Not because I'm the girlfriend of a rock star, but because I'm somebody who can love enough to make an impact. Because I can create. Because I'm a whole person even if some of the parts are broken. I'm Callie Roland, friend, counselor, inspiration. Writer. I'm Callie Roland and I'm someone.
∞∞∞
After several more bottles of alcohol, and way more food than we should have eaten, we eventually lose Eli and Sweeny to a table of single women.
Casey excuses himself to the restroom, and Luke leans back in his seat.
"So … " he says, glancing over at me with a smile.
"So … " I answer, returning it.
"We've come a long way since breakfast club, huh?"
I laugh and lean back as well. "I'd say. Although Jemma's made a killer cup of tea."
Luke grins. "I'll find you a suitable replacement. I promise."
"You better since you got me banned."
He laughs and shakes his head. "Yeah, sorry about that. Not one of my finer moments."
I squeeze his knee and let go. "I've got you, Luke. Always, ok?"
His eyes change as he studies me, and I let him look. I have nothing to hide. I mean every word.
Finally, he gives me a weak smile. "I know. I don't take that lightly." He quiets and stares off at nothing for a minute. "You know, a year ago I was pretty sure I'd be dead by now. Two months ago I knew it. I was hoping." He glances at me again. "I'm not supposed to be here, Callie."
My chest starts to burn at his words, the look in his eyes.
"Well, I need you here. So does Casey," I reply, leaning against him. "You're not allowed to leave us."
I can feel his gentle laugh as he hugs me.
"Casey is a special person. One of a kind. What that kid has been through … " Luke shakes his head. "Anyway, I don't deserve him."
"You mean, with his dad?"
Luke nods, and I pull away so I can face him. "His father, his sister. He was one of my first friends after I moved here. My parents pretty much decided they were done being parents when I was fourteen and sent me from Johannesburg to my aunt in Houston. I was completely alone, scared, and literally had nothing but my guitar and a few changes of clothes. I met Casey a year later and he became my best friend. He was my brother long before my brother-in-law."
He laughs at the memory. "You would have loved it. Wish I had pictures with me. He was this scrawny little kid with a violin, dressed like a punk rocker. From the second I saw him I knew I had to figure out what was wrong with this dude."
I laugh, not surprised for some reason.
He grows serious. "We both lived through hell. We needed each other and supported each other over the years more times than I can count."
A light bulb goes on, and my eyes widen. "Is that where you found your music? Is that what 'Argyle' is about?"
Luke seems pleased that I put it all together and offers a sad smile. "Yes, exactly. The music started ten years ago when he was fifteen. His father was going after his younger sister one day and he jumped in. Took a hell of a beating for her, but didn't back down once. It was the bravest thing I'd ever seen. Even I was too scared to do anything but get his sister out of the way. He stayed with me for a week afterwards to recover, and because he was scared to go home. That's when we started writing. I had my guitar, he had his passion for music, and that was that." He quiets, and I can see the pain in his eyes. "Elena, his big sister, found him an old beat-up drum set that my aunt let us set up in the basement. Casey came over almost every day to take out his frustrations and heartache on that kit."
He clears his throat, and I don't miss any of the significance of the gift he just gave me. I also have an overwhelming urge to hug Casey. Which reminds me …
"Where is Casey anyway?" I ask, suddenly concerned.
Luke furrows his brow, and I follow his gaze across the restaurant. Jana isn't at her table either. My heart starts to constrict.
"You should go check on him," Luke says.
I swallow and nod. "You don't think … "
Luke almost seems annoyed I'd even ask. "Of course not, but he's probably trapped and could use the help."
I want to believe him. I know I should. Casey's done nothing but prove over and over again that I should, and yet … all I can picture is Jana Furmali in her slinky little Bella Amberosi.
I give Luke an apologetic look. I hate to leave him right after finally opening up about his past, but if I know him at all, he probably wants to be alone for a few minutes to process what just happened anyway. And I need Casey.
I slide from the booth and make my way toward the restrooms. Sure enough, I'm not surprised when I peek into the alcove and see him tucked against the back wall, literally cornered by Jana.
I know I shouldn't, but I have to know. I have to, and pull back into hiding so I can listen.