Page 73 of For One Night Only

“Of course I do! You’re Whit, and this is Sophie and Aiden, right?”

Sophie bounces on her heels. “Yes!”

“Hey, friends, good to see you!” Caleb says, joining the four of us. I glance around, surprised he’s joined our little group, but Keeley and Riker are entertaining most of the room with a cajon and guitar they pulled out of nowhere. Jane’s still talking to another group, though, so I don’t feel the need to join in yet.

“Your manager got us incredible seats for the concert, and VIP access to all fan events this week. Seriously, thank you so much,” Sophie says. Just like before, she’s clearly the most extroverted of the group, but Caleb, in his natural warmth, manages to draw a starstruck Whit and sullen Aiden out of their shells too. We talk about music and the industry and queer representation in media, and for a minute I realize it’s been too long since I had conversations like this with fans. During all the meet and greets forEpicTheme Song, I’ve kept my chatter really surface level—I tell myself it’s to set boundaries, but it’s not like you have to bare your soul to connect with people.

Sometimes just a thoughtful question, or even an encouraging word, can make all the difference. It makes me want to do better in the future.

Caleb brings out the best in me. He’s always done that. I feel like I lost my way without him, and I’m finally remembering why I wanted to do this in the first place. Because knowing your art has been meaningful to someone? It’s everything.

We wander back to the rest of the group, and soon Keeley and Jane are leading the room in a lively acoustic version of “Still Dancing,” with Riker playing the guitar like we’re at a campfire sing-along. Fans are recording video with their phones.

Caleb and I stay in the background, clapping to the beat and singing harmonies.

“We’re not totally committed to a new arrangement for this one, right?” I ask quietly. Our set list has been final for weeks, but we’ve spent these late-stage rehearsals tinkering with sounds and perfecting every detail. Even with the clock ticking, we’ve all agreed to be open to changes as inspiration strikes.

I don’t think any of us wants the collaboration to stop.

Caleb grins at me, eyes sparkling at my meaning. “No, but I think we have now. They should do it.”

Despite Keeley’s accusations to the contrary, it was always really important to us that the band was about all five of the Glitter Bats, not just me and Caleb. The label always wanted the two of us to lead songs in recordings, but when we toured, we’d get away with putting Riker on lead guitar to shred on “Vampires” or giving Jane a chance to riff on a ballad. Keeley would get at least one drum solo per night.

Caleb slips his hand into mine as we watch them hit the bridge.Keeley’s brassy soprano and Jane’s rich alto blend gorgeously with Riker’s soft tenor melody, filling the room with warmth.

And…oh, I don’t want to lose this.

One last show just isn’t enough. I want everyone to get to showcase their wide range of talent, and that can’t all be crammed into one performance. Maybe it’s enough that they’re all showcasing their talent outside of the band, but it feels like the Glitter Bats have unfinished business. It’s always been at the pit of my stomach, a reminder of the band—my family—that fell apart too soon.

I don’t know if the concert will be enough to make that feeling go away.

After the song, we mingle a bit longer, grab pastries, and wrap up. Then we have a long day of interviews, both solo and as a group. We’re getting ready to record the big reunion exclusive forBuzzwordin a few days, and do our official photo shoot, but today it’s other media outlets likeGossip DailyandTwenty-Twoand even a few fan creators.

Some of the interviews will happen via video call, but we’re hosting a few of the creators in one of the other conference rooms. Just as we’re wrapping up, Keeley and Riker pull me aside. Jane and Caleb are on the other side of the room talking to the hotel event coordinator.

“What’s up?” I ask, staring between them.

Keeley raises her brows. “What are you doing?”

To buy time, I take a sip of my nearly gone coffee. “Oh?”

“Why did we have to find out from the internet that you and Caleb are involved again?” Riker says. I flinch.

“Who says we were ever together before?” I blurt, even though the band knows it was the least well-kept secret of our past.

“You were never subtle,” Keeley says. “Besides, we used to stay in some really shitty hotel rooms and, you know, mattresses squeak.”

I flush. It’s not like I ever thought the band was clueless, but I always thought we had this unwritten rule that we never spoke about it. I guess unwritten rules are void when you haven’t been a group for six years.

But I don’t need their permission.

“So?”

“Just tread lightly,” Riker says. “I don’t think he’s over you. Don’t use him.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Do you really think so little of me, after all our history, that you believe I would treat Caleb Sloane like a fuck buddy?”

They share a glance. “No, but…” Riker trails off, frowning, like he’s trying to figure out how best to call me out without pissing me off.

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