Night Shifts Black(49)

It's not funny how far you've strayed, just listen this one time

Look in my eyes and see how I love you."



They're quiet for a long time. I'm not sure how many times they read through my words, but I can tell they're not sure how to respond. I don't know if it's because they love them or hate them, but when I notice the tears in Casey's eyes, I have a pretty good idea.

Luke's jaw is clenched as he glances from Casey, to the screen, to me, and back to Casey. He gets it. I know he does, I just don't know what it means to him. What he's willing to do with it.

"Is it true?" he asks finally, his voice barely above a whisper, but he's not talking to me.

Casey sucks in his breath and nods, his eyes pleading with Luke to understand. It breaks my heart as I watch them, and I almost sob when Luke pulls Casey in for a hug. They hold on to each other, and I have to wipe the tears from my own cheeks. I had no idea words could do things like this. I never understood their power. How had I minimized their value all these years simply because they weren't attached to a paycheck? It seems absurd now, sitting here watching two broken souls repair themselves because of the way I formed a string of letters together. This is what words do. So often they tear apart, but they can also form miracles.

They finally pull away and focus their awe on me this time. I'm surprised when it's Luke who speaks first. "Can we use these, Callie?"

My eyes widen, confused. "What do you mean?"

"I … " He stops, and glances at Casey quickly before turning back to me. "For the EP. We still need two to three more songs."

Casey almost chokes. "Wait. Seriously? You're in?" he asks in shock, barely able to complete the thought.

Luke meets his gaze and nods. "If you'll have me back."

I practically scream as I run around the counter and throw my arms around him. He laughs, returning my embrace, and I can feel Casey joining behind me. I've never been so happy in my life.

"Of course you can use it!" I cry. Then, search his eyes. "But only if you use 'Perfect Day,' too."

Luke visibly flinches. "Really? I don't know," he replies, skeptical. "I didn't write that for anyone else."

"Neither did I," I point out.

Casey's eyes widen with that inspired look I've come to admire. "Dude, she's right. Think about the journey those three songs would represent. After everything we've been through, that's some epic comeback shit right there."

"You just need to add a good breakup song," I suggest. I was joking, but based on their expressions, I don't think they care.

Casey grins. "I think I can handle that one."

I glare at him. "Oh really?" I say, crossing my arms.

"Not for you, silly! The crazy psycho who hit me."

I laugh. "You could call it 'Bella Amberosi.'"

He smiles. "Hey, maybe. I have some ideas." His expression changes as he grows serious again and turns to Luke.



       
         
       
        

"Really, man, you have no idea … I mean … " he can't even finish the sentence, and Luke claps him on the back, completing the thought with another hug.

"I know, brother. I do."





Friday.





Casey actually sets an alarm Thursday night, and we all agree to meet in the lobby at 8:30 the next morning to head to the studio as early as possible. Apparently, the Label is shelling out a decent sum to book it, although I suspect the band is so excited at the prospect of recording again that they wouldn't have needed any additional encouragement.

I have butterflies in my own stomach as I get ready, and all I'll be doing is watching. Their equipment had been loaded and transported to the studio last night after they finished their final rehearsal, so this morning it's just a matter of getting the artists to their canvas. TJ arranged for a vehicle to pick us up, and we all pile into a large SUV.

"You ready?" Casey asks, once we're comfortable in the car.

"Me? Are you ready?" I ask with a smile.

He shrugs, but I can see his excitement mounting.

"Hard to believe this is happening," he replies, and Eli and Sweeny nod in agreement.

We all instinctively cast a glance at Luke, but he's staring out the window. I can't tell if he's paying attention to us or not, and can only imagine what's going through his head at the moment. I reach over and squeeze his hand, drawing a startled look. He returns my smile, and I let go. Casey puts his arm around me, and I lean against him, completely content for one of the first times in my life.

Sweeny and Eli chatter most of the way to the studio, but Casey and Luke are lost in their own heads. I can see it in the way they stare off, vacant, but only because they're focused on something no one else can see. They seem content too, however, and I let myself relax for once.

We arrive at the studio, and I'm surprised by the underwhelming exterior of the building. I've passed this storefront before, many times actually, but I had no idea what magic it contained. We pile out of the car and move inside.

A middle-aged man stops his conversation with a woman behind a reception desk, and his face ignites. He rushes toward us with a huge smile, hand out-stretched.

"Hey, guys! Glad you could make it!"

"Julian," Casey greets, taking his hand first.

"Julian" then moves to the rest of them, but hesitates when he reaches Luke.

"Luke, good to see you, man," he says, and I can tell his emotion is genuine.

"Good to be back," Luke replies, but I'm not as sure about his.

"Julian, this is Callie," Casey introduces, and Julian smiles a greeting and takes my hand. 

"Callie, nice to meet you."

"She's one of the writers," Casey explains, and Julian's expression changes, clearly impressed.

"Really? Well, glad you could make it," he says, and I'm sure I'm glowing. I can't even begin to believe this is happening. Julian turns and starts heading toward a hallway behind the reception desk. "Ok, well, Jon is ready for you. I've got the lounge stocked, but let me know if there's anything else you need. Michel is overseas and couldn't make it today, but Jon will take good care of you."

"We worked with Jon on 'Collide,' didn't we?" Sweeny asks.

Casey nods. "Yeah, that was it. Cool guy."

I try to listen to their conversation as we shuffle through the building, but I'm more interested in everything else around me. It's nothing like I've ever seen before. Definitely not the type of environment I'm accustomed to, and I'm not sure how to describe this place except "vibe-y." There's mood everywhere, art, color, lighting, and I can feel the "coolness" seeping into me the further we venture into the building and absorb the artistic aura.

I notice a few frames containing gold records on the walls in the hallway, and am surprised by some of the well-known artists I see listed. I'm sure there must be one or more of these for Night Shifts Black somewhere, and wonder which studio gets to display those.

"That's the lounge," Casey explains as we pass a room of couches. There's even a couple pool tables and very inviting wet bar. "It's going to be a long day, so feel free to hang out here whenever you want."

I nod, loving the lounge's calming and modern décor. The room appears to be encased by a short wall of pebbles, and I realize there's a trickle of water moving over the rocks. It looks like a place where an artist would want to relax and be artistic.

We continue on to what they call the control room, and this one looks more like the "command central" I expected. I feel like I'm entering a spaceship cockpit as we suddenly face a giant console with countless knobs, faders, and buttons. I glance at the walls and ceiling, which are covered with the foamy-looking geometric art I'd seen in other places throughout the building.

"Those are diffusers," Casey explains, following my gaze. "For controlling sound."

I nod and stare past the console through a window into another room. It's a gorgeous space made up of shiny wood and glass, and I can see a line of doors leading to smaller rooms beyond.

"And that's the tracking room," he says.

"That's where you actually play?" I ask, and he nods.

"Yup."

"Why are there other rooms?"

Casey grins as though he's giving me a tour of his childhood home. "Well, that's the main tracking room there, and then those are iso booths."

"Iso booths?"

"Yeah, so people like Sweeny can lock themselves in with their cabs and blow their eardrums out without killing anyone."

"I heard that!" Sweeny grunts.

"Am I wrong?" Casey returns, and Sweeny makes a face.

"And what are those little walls? They look portable."

"Those are baffles. They're on wheels and help absorb the sound," another man interjects. He must be Jon. "Hey, guys. Good to see you again."

They all shake hands and conduct their greetings.

"This is Carl. He'll be assisting me today. So what's the plan?" Jon asks, and I'm not surprised when he addresses Casey before anyone else.