[i]Don’t be shy... come on out![/i] 

Adrianna’s text burned into Rob’s eyes like an afterimage. His nascent peace seemed to be at a fast end. 

At the present moment, what sounded nice was an evening of rehearsal, followed by a night of bleary lights and fast drinks–maybe fucking–with Adrianna. It was a simple night, and one he had enjoyed all-too-often in the past.

That’s what sounded nice. But it isn’t what he wanted. 

What he wanted was slipping down the stairs. As if on cue, Sam slipped upstairs, muttering something about needing a drink. 

Within a moment, it was just him and J.

[i]”Hi.”[/i]

Her meek smile met his, and he smiled back. 

It was a simple thing, really. But no matter how many years passed, there was a quiet comfort when it was just the two of them. The concept of home hadn’t applied to him in a long time–he moved from place to place the moment his yearly lease ended–but Jane was home.

Still, his smile faded a bit as she apologized. Called herself [u]wierd[/u]. Clearly wanted to blow off last night. 

Rob didn’t hide his disappointment on his face. He used to be so stoic, so calm. And he still was, when he wanted to be. 

The thing was, he didn’t particularly want to be right now. 

It didn’t take much to put two-and-two together. From Austin’s attitude to this apology. He knew what had happened, and he was trying to smother it in the crib. 

But there wasn’t much Austin could do to stop this. This had been going on for a decade, and Rob had his doubts about whether this would be the end of it now. 

It was kind of funny, really. He had spent the better part of this week and rather, the entirety of their time in Orange County denying the fact that he wanted Jane. But in this moment, right now? 

He wasn’t going to hide how he felt. 

He wanted the band to work, sure. He wanted it more with each day–each song they wrote. 

But he wanted Jane. Whether or not she wanted him in this moment, or in any way, didn’t really matter. None of it did. Not the fights, not the ODs, not leaving in the night heartbroken. 

He’d have to find the right time, sure. Not now, not during rehearsal. And he still had little idea about how she’d react, or if she would, or anything like that. 

But it was nice to have a little bit of clarity, even if it was internal. 

[i]”Ready to make some music?”[/i] 

Rob nodded. “Let’s do it.”

***

Three hours passed in a moment, and it seemed–at least to Rob–like the most productive three hours they had so far. 

Three songs, including the track he and Sam banged out, were put to tape and sent to Evan that night. At this point, they had more than enough material to play with for an LP. Evan even made a passing comment over text to Rob that a double-LP should be considered, but still, there was a long way to go.

‘Everything’ was pretty much the only song completely locked down. Three of four tracks still needed hard lyrics. About half the songs Rob wasn’t set on for his part, and knowing Sam, he wasn’t happy with a single cord yet. 

But it was more than a start, it was significant progress. The next step towards finishing their work here.

Which brought up a good question: [i]what the hell happened after they finished this album?[/i]

Breaking out from behind the kit, Rob emerged sweaty and panting from the final track recording of the night. He essentially inhaled a Gatorade in the time it took to walk from the drumset to the recording booth where the others waited. 

“Good?” He gasped out to Sam. Sam nodded subtly–his eyes locked on the waveforms on the DAW. 

Typically, that meant more than good to him. 

“Cool.”

Rob snagged a towel from his bag and looked to the others. 

“Hell of a session guys, I think we gave Sam more than enough to fuck around with tonight.”

“Yeah... I’m gonna UberEats some dinner,” Sam said–eyes still glued to the monitor. “I’m not getting up for a while.” 

Rob turned and made deliberate eye contact with Jane. “I think I’m gonna go for a swim upstairs if anyone is interested.” 

“I might take you up on that,” Austin replied.

Rob turned to see Austin’s less-than-pleased face. He had read Rob like a book–not that Rob had been trying to be subtle. 

“Cool cool, see you upstairs, yeah?” 

Rob turned on his heel and went to his room for his swimsuit. 

As he ascended, he checked his phone. A single missed call from Adrianna. No text messages. 

That’d have to do, for now. 

He changed quickly into his black trunks and was making his way to the sliding door before his phone buzzed.

This time, from Austin. 

[u]What are you doing?[/u]

Rob rolled his eyes, and typed out a quick–

[u]Swimming?[/u]

–before putting the phone on the counter and heading outside. 

Standing at the edge of the pool, he thought about Austin. 

Their relationship was more than cordial–they were friends. Good friends. But the longer things went on, he had a feeling that they’d be tested a little bit. 

But then again–they all would. The album was going to be done before they knew it. Evan would want a tour, immediately. There was a good chance it would do well. Success was very much possible. 

Rob looked to the water, took a deep breath, and jumped. 

No regrets, no games. Not this time. Not if he could help it.