Night Shifts Black

by Alyson Santos

  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.

  “The guys?”

  “Sorry. Sweeny and Eli.”

  His shy smile makes an appearance, and I immediately brace for whatever triggered it.

  “Ok…”

  “Yeah, so TJ told them we were hitting the studio Friday.”

  “Hitting the studio?”

  “Recording.”

  “They’re recording?”

  “Songs? Music?”

  I give him a look. “I get that. I mean, I’m surprised they’re here to record. I thought you were just going down by yourself on Friday to fool around.”

  Casey cringes. “Yeah, about that…So TJ pretty much wet his pants when I sent him the work tape. The Label went nuts and is sending a trailer with our gear.”

  I stare at him. He’s clearly not finished explaining what that means.

  “Ok…”

  “Well, so, basically they booked the studio for the day and want us to track the entire song.”

  “The song? What song?”

  “‘Greetings from the Inside.’”

  My eyes widen. “Wait, our song? You’re going to record our song? Your actual band. Night Shifts Black.”

  Casey grins and nods. “Yeah. I think we are.”

  I let out my breath, stunned. I don’t even know what to think, let alone say. “But, I thought...we were just messing around, right?”

  He shrugs. “Maybe at first, but it’s really good, Callie. Even Luke thinks it’s worth a shot. The guys are here now and we’ve got three days to work on it together. By Friday we should have something worth laying down.”

  I shake my head, amazed, terrified, confused. “Won’t they be upset?”

  “That we’re actually moving again?”

  I shrug. “I don’t know. I mean, they don’t even know me and now I’m butting in?”

  “Butting in?”

  “Lyrically speaking.”

  He laughs. “Is that even a thing?”

  “I don’t know. Is it?”

  “If it’s good, they won’t care. Luke and I do most of the writing anyway. We’re the ones getting our toes stepped on. Ok, well, I should get back to them.”

  I nod. “How’s Luke with all of this?”

  Casey shrugs. “Good, actually. I’m surprised, but he’s with them now. It’s almost noon so we’re having some food sent up.”

  “And how are you with it?”

  He looks confused. “What do you mean?”

  I shrug. “I don’t know. You’re about to introduce your controversial new girlfriend to your band-mates?”

  He grins. “I’ll be fine as long as you don’t let them see you like that.”

  I laugh and swing at him, but he ducks away, suddenly pulling me toward him instead. My blood starts to pound as his eyes meet mine with a breathtaking intensity. He’s going to kiss me again. Right now. Right here, and I almost gasp at the fire ripping through my body when our lips collide. I reach into his hair, pulling him against me with a greedy abandon that surprises both of us. I’ve never wanted anything so much in my life.

  “Casey…” I breathe, eyes closed as his lips caress my neck, his hands gripping my towel, dangerously close to starting something we both know we can’t finish right now.

  “I know,” he groans. “I know.”

  But he just feels so good. My own fingers are on the waist of his jeans, instinctively pulling at the clasp. I almost hate our guests for taking this from me. I don’t care, I don’t want to let him go, and allow our kiss to take on an urgency I know he won’t be able to resist. Especially when I undo the top button of his jeans and pull his hips into mine. It’s not fair, but I want him to suffer as much as I am right now.

  He breathes a curse, pausing as he rests his forehead against mine. We hover like that for a minute, momentarily paralyzed by our mutual denial. When he finally manages to pull away, I can see the longing all over his face. We’re both breathing hard, staring at each other, wondering if there’s some way to alter Time so we can have this moment we both so desperately want.

  He takes a deep breath and shakes his head with a wry smile. “You did that on purpose,” he charges.

  “Did what?” I ask with a mischievous smile of my own.

  He gives me a mock glare, but his return grin betrays him. “Come out when you’re ready, you vixen.”

  ∞∞∞

  I spend a little extra time on clothes and makeup after Casey leaves, still burning from our heated encounter. I almost regret trying to stir him up, since I’m paying just as high of a price now. I can still feel his firm body pressed against me, begging to be explored, to give itself over completely. He was mine for a second, and now I’m addicted. I suck in a deep breath, willing my racing pulse to calm itself, and finally manage to focus on reality and the unnerving prospect of meeting the rest of the NSB “family.”

  I glance at my reflection again and sigh. There’s no hope for my hair, which is soaking wet, so I comb through that and hope for the best. At least my casual look will prove Casey, Luke, and I are close enough to be past the “trying too hard” stage. If only they knew.

  I brace myself and draw in a deep breath, nervous for some reason. It’s not that I care what the others think for my sake, but for Casey’s. Obviously, his life will be a lot easier if they like me.

  The conversation dies the second I come into view, and I plaster a warm smile on my face.

  “There she is!” Casey cries, jumping up from his stool before anything can get awkward. “Guys, this is Callie.”

  “Callie, this is Eli and Jeff, but everyone calls him Sweeny.”

  I wave. “Nice to finally meet you,” I say.

  “You look great,” Casey whispers, kissing my cheek. It’s sweet, but I can’t tell if he’s sincere or acting for his band-mates. My guess is they need to believe our relationship is legit, too.

  “Thanks,” I say with a genuine smile once I conclude that Casey’s is also. What a weird situation, pretending to date my actual boyfriend. He gives me a knowing look that indicates he’s still reeling from our bedroom scene also, and my blood starts pounding again.

  I swallow. “You guys just came in t
his morning?” I ask, somehow managing to ignore the throbbing in my veins.

  “Yeah, as soon as we could,” Eli says. “Had to once we learned this guy rejoined the planet.”

  Luke gives him a smirk, but only shakes his head.

  “Heard you guys have been working on some stuff. Can’t wait to hit Jackson Street Friday,” Sweeny continues.

  Casey grins and slings his arm around me. “Actually, yeah. Thanks to Callie. She got me writing again. We can drop some ideas over the next few days and see if any stick.”

  Their expressions change a bit, and I wonder what they’re thinking. Are they annoyed that I’ve invaded their turf or impressed that I got the ball rolling again? I decide it’s best to just smile and stay out of it. I certainly didn’t expect what actually happens.

  “Callie’s for real, guys,” Luke chimes in. “You’ll like her stuff. It’s good.”

  Casey and I both stare at Luke in shock. The others seem to visibly relax at his approval.

  “Looking forward to it,” Eli says.

  “You’re a writer?” Sweeny asks.

  I almost laugh at the ironic question and catch a subtle glance from Casey.

  “Apparently,” I reply, and Sweeny looks appropriately confused.

  “She is,” Casey clarifies, squeezing my shoulders.

  “Cool,” Eli says. “Oh hey, it’s still downstairs, but we brought some of your stuff, Case. TJ said you were looking for a few things to prepare for Friday.”

  “My gear?” Casey asks as though Santa himself just offered him the pick of the North Pole Warehouse.

  They return his infectious grin. Apparently, he has that effect on everyone.

  “What we could anyway. Just your small controller and the acoustic. Don’t get too excited, we weren’t going to mess with the amp, so we didn’t bring your electric.”

  Casey doesn’t seem concerned. “What about my recording stuff?”

  “Assuming you’ve got your laptop and drives, but the interface, mics, and boxes are in the case with the controller. No kit though. You’ll have to wait for the trailer on Friday,” he adds with a smirk.

  “Come on. You couldn’t spring for an extra carryon?” Casey teases. He looks about ready to run from the room in search of this mysterious cart of gifts.

  I’m not entirely sure what any of this conversation means, so I remain silent and keep my ignorance to myself.

  “Just go, Case,” Luke mutters, but seems amused more than anything.

  Casey nods and gives us an apologetic look. “I’ll be right back. Gonna go find my stuff.”

  “They said they’d bring it up as soon as someone was available,” Eli explains, but clearly that’s not an option.

  “It’s fine. Be back in a minute!”

  With that, Casey is gone, and it’s just the rest of us staring after him in amusement.

  “Good call, guys,” Luke observes to the other two. “He deserves to catch a break for once.”

  They seem confused, but not enough to ask. “How are you doing, man? We heard what’s going on.”

  Luke shrugs. “Fine. I have my girl Callie here to keep me from going completely nuts.”

  The other guys are no more surprised than I am by Luke’s comment. I glance at him, but he’s not looking at me. In fact, his tone is so casual, so nonchalant, I almost missed the significance of that statement.

  “Is she your girlfriend or Casey’s?” Eli snickers, and Luke only gives him a mischievous shrug.

  “She was mine first. He stole her,” he teases, and I shove him.

  “What? It’s true!” Luke cries good-naturedly.

  The others laugh. “Yeah, right. Barrett stole a girl from Luke Craven. That’ll be the day.”

  I shrug. “It’s kinda true,” I return lightly, and Luke and I exchange an amused look.

  “Man, next you’re going to tell us this whole thing with Jackson Street was all Casey, too.”

  Now, Luke and I laugh. “And that’s a hundred percent true,” I respond, totally proud of him.

  They shake their heads.

  “What is happening to the universe?” Sweeny mutters.

  “I told you guys you’ve always underestimated him. Not all drummers are idiots,” Luke jokes.

  “Our Baby Casey is all grown up, I guess,” Eli laughs.

  I raise my eyebrows. “Baby Casey?” I ask, and Luke nods with a smile.

  “He was fifteen when we started. He never really outgrew the name,” Luke explains.

  Eli nods. “Yeah, Sweeny and I are both 30, then there’s Little Luke who’s, what are you now, 27?”

  Luke nods.

  “Which leaves Baby Casey at the bottom,” Sweeny confirms.

  I laugh at the nickname. The thought of Casey as “Baby” anything, especially after the way he just took care of us this past week, is so ridiculous. I can’t help it.

  “So how long have you two been together?” Eli asks me. “It’s not like our boy to settle down.”

  Luke and I exchange a careful look, and I’m not sure what to say. I don’t know what Casey told their manager, what the official story is. We didn’t think we’d need it so soon.

  “Not long,” Luke says. “But when you know you know, I guess. It was obvious to me before it was to that idiot,” he adds, and the others grin.

  I give him my own grateful smile, which he returns with a slight wink.

  “So what, you three just shack up here together now?”

  Luke shrugs. “Sorta. Callie’s got her own place also. Casey’s just hanging out for a while. So how did the tour finish up?” Luke asks quickly, changing the subject.

  It works, and the other two launch into more stories about people and lingo I don’t know. I start to tune out, counting the seconds until Casey returns. Baby Casey. Even his nicknames make me smile.

  ∞∞∞

  Casey does return soon enough. We hear the clatter of the door, and I rush to hold it as a porter maneuvers through the opening with a cart containing two huge cases.

  The guys pause their tour conversation, and I can’t help but melt at the childlike joy on Casey’s face as he tips the porter and thanks him. Maybe I do understand the nickname after all. He stands motionless for a minute, as though he can’t decide where to start. One case is clearly a guitar, the other’s just a large rectangular box framed in steel.

  Luke comes over and slaps him on the back. “You want to set up the keyboard in the office or at the table here?”

  Casey glances around the room.

  “Here, probably. If we’re going to be working together.”

  Luke nods. “Makes sense.” He bends down and opens the rectangular case while Casey opens the guitar.

  I’m surprised at how small the keyboard is. I don’t know much about instruments, but I know a piano is a lot bigger than whatever this thing is. I’d just assumed keyboards would have the same number of keys as the piano, but this one clearly doesn’t. I’d be surprised if it were half the size. I would have asked Casey about it if we were alone and I thought there was any chance he would have heard me. The way he cradles his guitar and gazes at it like a child he hasn’t seen in months, I’m not sure he even remembers any of us exist.

  I catch Luke’s quick grin and headshake to himself as he observes the same thing I do. He doesn’t comment either, however, and only places the small keyboard on the table. He begins unloading the other equipment from the case, which includes two small boxes with knobs and holes, a foot pedal, and two microphones. Finally. Microphones I recognize. There are also several coils of cables that he stacks neatly beside the rest.

  By now Casey has his acoustic guitar assembled and slung over his shoulder. He’s picking and strumming, and even I can see and hear the difference between this one and the one he’s been playing in the suite. He seems much more at home now, more comfortable, and the clean, rich tone makes it obvious how much the inferior instrument was holding him back. I find myself getting excited to hear this guitar do ou
r song justice.

  “So do we get to hear this new masterpiece or what?” Eli asks, and Casey almost seems startled from his rendezvous with the guitar.

  “What? Oh. No, not yet. I want to do a quick scratch track for you. I’ll record something right after we eat.” He thinks for a moment. “Actually, yeah, sorry, I’ll set up in the office,” he directs to Luke who nods.

  “So secretive,” Sweeny teases.

  Casey shakes his head. “Nah, it’s not that, it’s just, we’re further than concept, and what we’ve got is too complex to get the feel from the acoustic alone. I want to layer in the keys and some strings and pads, too. Oh! Plus, Luke wrote this awesome lick for you, Sweeny. You’re gonna love it.”

  Sweeny seems impressed, and Luke shrugs.

  “Now, I wish we’d brought the Les Paul,” Sweeny mumbles, and Casey gives him a smile.

  “It’s fine. This is fine. I can layer in an electric and some percussion samples so you get the idea.”

  I’m trying desperately to follow their conversation and keep the baffled look from my face. I look again at the table, which has one tiny keyboard and two small boxes. There can’t be more than 50 keys on the thing, and yet Casey’s talking about recording a whole orchestra in the office. There seem to be more buttons and levers on the keyboard than actual piano keys, so maybe that has something to do with it, but I doubt it. I’m so confused.

  “Can I help?” I ask, more to remind him of my existence than anything.

  He smiles and starts toward the table. “Yeah, great! Grab those boxes and cables and put them in the office. I’ll get my laptop and the controller.”

  “Controller?”

  “The keyboard,” he explains, and I nod. That makes sense. I guess. Or not.

  I can hear the other guys resume the conversation without us, and focus on my assignment. I gather the equipment, as requested, and follow Casey toward the office.

  He’s already begun arranging the keyboard on the desk and has his laptop fired up to the right.

  “Can you pass me the USB cable?” he asks. “Yeah, the little one there.”

  I nod and hand him what looks like a cable I’d use to hook up my printer.