Page 11 of The Drummer

Luke glances at Callie, as if asking her permission. Shit. I guess this won’t be as easy as I thought. Their sneaky breakfast club pact means I don’t have a chance at winning whatever this is. Then again, if it results in more banter with Callie, I’ve already won.

“It’s okay. He’s right,” Callie says. “You can answer his question.”

Luke exhales in a faux attempt to make it look like he’s notenjoying this. “Fine. Yes, Casey plays drums in Night Shifts Black.”

Satisfied, I blast her with a smug look. “Okay, there you go. Now, it’s your turn, princess.”

Unfazed, she lifts a brow and faces Luke. “Am I an undercover royal princess?”

A genuine laugh erupts from Luke, and her stunning grin breaks.

My god. She’s magic. I didn’t even think hecouldlaugh anymore.

“Yes, she is,” he confirms.

She shifts toward me, hazel eyes filled with satisfaction. “There you have it.”

I squint back and pass a look between them. “Why do I feel like I’ve been conned?”

“You haven’t been conned, just outvoted,” she quips.

“Ha, fine. This is all breakfast club politics. I get it.”

“There are no politics involved until you order. We only judge based on food selections here.”

As if on cue, Luke signals a server hovering nearby.

It’s then that I realize how strange it was that no one came until now, almost as if the employees were waiting for something. Like they have a role in this strange script as well.

Apparently, the breakfast club politics extend to the rest of the diner. What exactly is happening here?

After a short, familiar exchange, the server takes off to fulfill our drink order.

“He knows you,” I observe.

“He’s a breakfast club regular,” Callie replies.

Interesting.

“If I’d known about breakfast club, I would have visited sooner.” I shoot Callie a smile, loving the way her cheeks flush. Her gaze traces my lips and cuts to my eyes before peeling away.

“Yeah, right. You don’t have time to visit,” Luke cuts in. “I stillcan’t believe you showed up last night. Don’t you have to be in Richmond tonight? I thought you guys were playing the Calisto Festival.”

I wince and snap my attention to him. Is he serious?

“I would have stopped by as much as I could if you’d let me. You just didn’t want me around. I didn’t even know where you were until TJ called a few days ago. I got here the first second I could.”

He has no idea how hard it was to wait. What it took just togethere. I blew off two commitments, three angry bandmates, and an apprehensive manager to show up at his door, having no idea if he’d let me in or shut it in my face.

Luke doesn’t respond, but his bitter expression sinks into resignation. Like he knows I’m right and maybe even regrets taking his anger out on me. I’d feel better if I thought for a second it wouldn’t happen again. But I know how pain works. Even Callie’s presence isn’t going to be enough to solve the massive rift between us over one cup of coffee.

“One of us needs to try the French toast,” she blurts out.

Her smile breaks through my clouds, and I suspect that was exactly her intent.

“Why’s that?” I ask, taking the bait. Any topic is better than silent sulking.

“We’ve never ordered it, and I think it’s time to diversify breakfast club. What do you think?” she asks Luke.

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